U.S. pilot hiring tanked in 2024 as airlines continue to face aircraft delivery delays. The reduction comes after several years of record hiring trends as airlines recovered from the pandemic.
In 2024, the major U.S. carriers hired 4,834 new pilots, according to data from the Future and Active Pilots Alliance. This figure is a far cry from the over 12,000 pilots hired in 2023, representing a 60% year-over-year drop.
United Leads
United continues to bolster its pilot ranks, hiring 1,317 new aviators last year. In 2023, the Chicago-based carrier hired 2,349 pilots. It hired 2,500 in 2022.
Delta took the No. 2 spot in 2024, onboarding 1,022 new aviators. The Atlanta-based airline recently opened a new training facility in Salt Lake City.
Spirit and FedEx didn’t hire any pilots in 2024. Both Alaska and Southwest halted regular hiring during the first quarter of last year.
American stopped hiring pilots in May 2024, citing aircraft delivery delays on its Boeing 787-9 and 737 MAX aircraft.
2025 Outlook
Airlines have hinted at more moderated hiring trends in 2025 following the record-setting post-COVID years.
Projections provided to FAPA suggest that hiring may be up around 50% this year. During a recent earnings call, Delta leaders said they expect “more normalized” pilot hiring trends throughout the industry.
2024’s lower numbers are in line with 2019, when U.S. airlines hired 4,977 new pilots.
