Despite recent headlines, there are several career opportunities for aspiring aviators.
[ Pilots ]April 11, 2025 7:00 am ET
By Andrew Chen
Airlines across the United States hired record numbers of pilots throughout 2022 and 2023. However, many carriers slowed or paused hiring in 2024. Carriers have cited a variety of reasons for their reduced hiring plans, ranging from changing business plans to Boeing delivery delays.
Despite the overall slowdown in hiring, some airlines are still looking for new pilots. Here are the airlines that are currently hiring pilots in the United States:
Which Major U.S. Airlines are Hiring Pilots?
While at least one major airline is trying to reduce its pilot complement, the “big three” are all currently hiring pilots.
- American Airlines has been hiring pilots from its existing pool of candidates but is not accepting new applications. American has hubs across the country and flies a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft both domestically and internationally.
- Delta Air Lines is one of the largest airlines in the country that is currently hiring new pilots. The carrier operates a diverse fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft to destinations all around the world.
- United Airlines is the largest airline in the world by fleet size. The carrier is currently accepting applications for new pilots. United is another global airline that has a fleet of both Boeing and Airbus jets.
A United Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Photo: Noah Escobar)
Which U.S. Low-Cost Carriers Are Hiring Pilots?
One of the country’s largest low-cost carriers, Spirit Airlines, has recently exited bankruptcy following a tumultuous year that included pilot furloughs. However, some other low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers are actively accepting applications for new pilots.
- Allegiant Air is accepting applications for new pilots from its two pathway programs and from the general public. The airline has around two dozen pilot bases spread across the country and a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Allegiant is also taking delivery of Boeing 737 MAXs.
- Avelo Airlines is hiring both first officers and captains. Avelo has six operating bases split across the East and West Coasts. The airline flies Boeing 737-700 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
- Frontier Airlines is currently hiring new pilots, citing a plan to grow to three times its current size over the next ten years. Using a fleet of Airbus narrowbody aircraft, the airline connects airports across the United States, Central America and the Caribbean.
- Sun Country Airlines is hiring new first officers. The airline also runs a college bridge program in partnership with three colleges across the Midwest. Its pilots are all based at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and fly a fleet of passenger and cargo Boeing 737-800s.
An Allegiant A319 in Las Vegas (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Which U.S. Regional Airlines Are Hiring Pilots?
Although many major U.S. airlines have scaled back their hiring, many regional carriers are actively hiring.
- Boutique Air is hiring first officers for all its pilot domiciles across the country: Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Oakland and Portland. The airline flies Pilatus PC-12s on a handful of Essential Air Service routes.
- Cape Air is currently accepting applications for captains based in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The airline has regional operations in four locations: the Northwest, the Midwest, the Caribbean and Montana.
- CommuteAir is hiring first officers and captains. The regional airline flies a fleet of Embraer ERJ-145 jets under the United Express banner, with hubs in Denver, Houston and Washington, D.C.
- Endeavor Air is currently hiring first officers and captains. With bases in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis and New York, the Delta Air Lines subsidiary flies Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft under the Delta Connection brand.
- Envoy Air is accepting applications for pilot positions from the general public and through its cadet program. Envoy is a subsidiary of the American Airlines Group and flies as American Eagle. The airline operates Embraer 170 and 175 jets out of its hubs in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and Phoenix.
- GoJet Airlines is currently hiring first officers and captains. It also has a career development program and a transition program for rotor pilots. The regional carrier flies a fleet of Bombardier CRJ550s under the United Express brand out of Chicago, Newark, and Washington, D.C.
- Horizon Air is only hiring experienced first officers for its fleet of Embraer 175s at all its bases across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Applicants need to have 200 hours of FAA-approved Prior Qualifying Time.
- Mesa Airlines is hiring first officers and captains. The regional carrier flies Embraer 175s for United Express. The airline has announced that it will be merging with Republic Airways to form the second largest regional carrier in the country. It currently has crew bases in Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C.
- Piedmont Airlines is hiring first officers and captains and also operates a cadet program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group, the carrier flies under the American Eagle Brand. It operates Embraer ERJ-145s with crew bases in Charlotte, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
- PSA Airlines is accepting applications for first officers and captains. The carrier, which is another American Airlines Group subsidiary, also has a cadet program. From its bases in Charlotte, Dallas, Dayton, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., its pilots fly a fleet of Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft.
- Republic Airways is hiring first officers and captains. It is only one of two regional carriers that flies for all the “big three” U.S. airlines: American, Delta and United. It has ten bases throughout the Midwest and Northeast and flies Embraer 170s and 175s.
- SkyWest Airlines is hiring first officers and captains and also has a rotor transition program. SkyWest is the largest regional carrier and flies under five brands: Alaska Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Connection, SkyWest Charters and United Express. It flies a fleet of Bombardier Regional Jets and Embraer E175s from its bases all across the country.
An Endeavor Air CRJ-900 painted in the Delta Connection livery.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Which U.S. Cargo and Charter Airlines Are Hiring Pilots?
Charter and cargo airlines can offer pilots unique opportunities and dynamic schedules and working conditions. While some of these carriers have paused pilots hiring, others are still actively seeking new hires.
- ABX Air is hiring first officers for its fleet of Boeing 767s. It flies the -200 and -300 variants in all-cargo configurations, primarily for DHL.
- Amerijet Internationalis hiring first officers, but only through its flight school pathway programs. The cargo airline flies Boeing 767s for DHL, Maersk and under its own brand.
- Atlas Air is accepting applications for new first officers. In addition to providing passenger charter services, the airline has extensive cargo operations. The airline’s fleet of Boeing widebodies and narrowbodies fly under its own brand and for companies like DHL and Amazon.
- UPS Airlines is hiring first officers for its UPS Worldport facility in Louisville. The carrier is one of the world’s largest cargo airlines and flies a diverse fleet of jets all around the world.
An ABX Boeing 767 landing in Miami.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots
Although many airlines in the United States have slowed down their pilot hiring efforts from the post-pandemic period, there are still some companies that are still seeking new pilots. For aspiring aviators, there are still many opportunities to fly for an airline.
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Editor’s Note: This story was last updated on April 11, 2024.
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
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Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
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