A Jeju Air 737-800 in Seoul. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
Traveling with pets can be stressful, with many arranged in the cargo hold. However, Korean carriers successfully introduced a new business model as Koreans are willing to take their pets to the skies at a reasonable price.
The country has experienced a pet travel boom; Jeju Air and Korean Air have seen an increase of 10.9% and 19.2% simultaneously, compared to the same time last year.
In the meantime, Eastar Jet will go further in expanding its pet-friendly service on select international flights, such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Bangkok. The new services welcome dogs, cats, and birds over eight weeks old on board, with a maximum of one pet allowed per passenger. But pets must comply with the quarantine rules.
Regardless of domestic and international routes, the pets must stay in carriers placed under the seat in front of the owners and cannot be taken out during the flight.
Special Flight For Pets and Their Owners
Earlier this year, Jeju Air rolled out a pet-only flight, operating from Seoul Gimpo International Airport to Jeju allowing the passengers to sit in their adjacent seats with their pets. The return fare for each dog with one owner was 440,000 won ($330) and 660,000 won ($500) for two owners. The fare was a little higher than usual but sold like hotcakes.
The special flight came after the surge in demand of pet travel across the country in 2023. Jeju Air recorded 17,698 pets in 2023, a 152% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
By popular demand, airlines have introduced pet-related content to the four-legged friends. Asiana Airlines offers a travel kit, including food, toys, and utensils as Jeju introduces a “Pet Meal.” Korean Air has introduced “Sky Pet” with the aim of enticing customers traveling with pets, similar to the frequent flyer programs. The pet can receive a discounted fare after traveling more frequently.
Business class on Aegean's A321neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
As Greece’s Aegean Airlines enters its 25th year of operation, it has expanded its footprint to serve many airports throughout Europe, and even expanding into the Middle East as well as northern Africa. The airline prides itself on having great service and is a certified four-star airline along with being the “Best European Regional Airline” according to SkyTrax.
The airline has a typical “Euro Business” seat, where it simply blocks the middle seat and slaps a business class label on it. I wanted to see if it lived up to not only the hype but also the rating.
Day of the Flight
About 24 hours before the flight, the airline did offer online check-in and I could even get a mobile boarding pass added to my wallet for the trip as well, which is nice for those passengers wanting to skip the check-in lines at the airport.
My mobile boarding pass for Aegean Air flight to London (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi
As the flight was going from Greece to London, it was considered an international flight due to the United Kingdom not being in the Schengen zone, so I arrived at the airport about three hours before departure time as I didn’t know what security and customs looked like the morning of the flight.
Upon arriving at the airport, there were tons of balloons for the 25th anniversary of the airline, as they had just passed that milestone in the days prior to taking this trip. Although I already had a mobile boarding pass and could’ve headed right to security, I went to the check-in desk anyway as I wanted to get a hard copy of my boarding pass for a keepsake, and I was able to use the business class lanes at check-in which didn’t take much time at all.
Balloons set up for Aegean’s 25th Anniversary (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi
Unlike in the United States, there is no government program for expedited security in Europe, but they do offer priority passengers an expedited security and customs line that is called Fastlane or in some cases Fast Track.
After going through security and customs I headed to the Aegean’s lounge, which I got access to being a business class passenger. As previously mentioned, London is outside of the Schengen zone, meaning I got to use the airline’s extra Schengen lounge.
Their lounge was absolutely fantastic, and it was enormous at over 1,200 sq/meters of space and windows that give passengers a 360-degree view of the airport, and featured so much food that I could hardly figure out what to get.
The entrance to Aegean’s Extra Schengen lounge (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi
Upon arrival to the lounge, you just scan your boarding pass, and as long as you are given entry the automatic gates will open to let you in. They had breakfast food in hot and cold options as well as some lunch options given we were nearing the late morning. They also had a variety of drinks, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic, and also had an area with only desserts and pastries for those who would rather have something sweet/sugary in the morning, or if you’d rather go healthier they also offered smoothies.
The massive expanse of Aegean’s Extra Schengen lounge (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi
There was also an entire wall of newspapers, not only in Greek but also in English. I ventured towards the back of the lounge where they had reclined sofa chairs that overlooked the operations of the airport, and I took a seat there.
Newspapers and magazines in Greek as well as English (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi
Nearly every seat in the lounge offered an outlet, which in this case was a European type C plug with the two prongs, but also directly under it they did offer USB-A and USB-C ports for those that didn’t have the European plug type or preferred a USB instead.
Some of the lounge chairs near the windows overlooking the airport operations (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Just some of the many drink options offered in the lounge (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi
Overlooking the airport, I could see my aircraft for the flight which was an Airbus A321NEO that carried the registration of SX-NAM and actually featured a special 25-year sticker.
My aircraft for the flight up to London Heathrow was SX-NAM, wearing the special 25Years sticker (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
There was so much food I couldn’t try everything but I did get as much food variety as I could with a tomato basil mozzarella sandwich, as well as a mini burger slider. I also had to save some room for the breakfast that I would soon be served on the flight up to London. After a quick bite to eat, the gate was assigned for my flight, and it was time to head to the aircraft.
Entering the gate area there was a short line as there was an employee checking passports and adding customs stickers as we left the Schengen Zone once we boarded the flight. It wasn’t long after getting to the gate before I got on board the aircraft.
The departure board for my flight (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
My seat for this flight would be 5A, a window in the airline’s Business Class cabin. Appearance-wise, business class is nearly identical to economy class except for the fact that the middle seat is blocked and there is a tray table where that passenger usually sits.
Looking at Aegean Air’s Business Class on the A321nwo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
The cabins are separated by a curtain versus a hard wall.
While other passengers were boarding, they came around with some drinks. The choices for a pre-departure beverage were orange juice, water, or champagne all of which were served in an actual glass cup, and they also brought around the breakfast menu for the flight as well.
Once passengers finished boarding, we pushed back from the gate, and after a quick taxi to the runway, we took off towards London.
Taking off from Athens towards London (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
As we continued to climb up to our cruising altitude before breakfast came around, on the left side of the aircraft we passed Aigina and the Gulf of Corinth.
While there were no IFE screens in the seat, there was a QR code on the seatback that you could scan and get entertainment on your personal device.
The seatback in Business Class on Aegean (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
There was also free internet for those sitting in business class as well as the Miles + Bonus gold members. Otherwise, it was €12 or 3600 miles. There was also a USB-A port on the seatback so you could charge your device, as well as a device holder.
Before the meal came around, they brought out a hot towel, which signaled the meal was getting closer as well as it was something that you could clean up with. At our cruising altitude of 36,000 feet/10,972.80 meters, I could clearly see all the amazing scenery that was going past us, including a couple of small mountain ranges, the Albanian coastline, and the Adriatic Sea just to name a few.
Flying over northern Greece (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Inflight
About an hour after takeoff, the breakfast was served. You did have a choice of meal and for those with no dietary restrictions, the choices were either a salmon omelet or chicken omelet and I chose the latter.
My breakfast for the flight up to London Heathrow (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
The omelet had Béchamel Gruyère sauce, Leeks, mushrooms, and thyme sauce. It also came with morning rolls, a croissant, as well as marmalade and yogurt. There was a small side dish that had some salami, a kiwi, and fruits.
This is one of the best meals I’ve ever had on a flight of this length, especially considering this flight is only about 3.5 hours long. While I was eating, I did notice a couple of aircraft going in the opposite direction, including a Lufthansa A321 going from Munich to Athens, as well as a Wizz Air A321 from London Gatwick to Athens.
We then passed over Venice, Italy, and the pilot pointed out the city as we passed it, and I could even see the airport as well.
Flying over Venice, Italy (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Once breakfast was cleaned up, I spent most of the rest of the flight either looking out the window at the scenery or watching TV and a movie on the airline’s Wi-Fi, which was decently fast.
They did come around with chocolate about an hour or so away from landing in England but other than that, and an occasional drink service, they had pretty much finished up the service for the flight.
As we got towards England and over the English Channel, we began to descend into London. Going in, I saw many of the airports surrounding the city, including London Gatwick, Farnborough Airport, as well as Blackbushe Airport.
Over England just after passing over the channel (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
We touched down at London Heathrow just after 11 a.m. local time following exactly 3.5 hours of flight time.
This is one of the best lounges, as well as onboard services I’ve had compared to flights of this stage length. As the airline enters its 25th year, it has expanded quite a bit and refurbished its fleet interiors.
On the ground in London Heathrow after my flight (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi )
Aegean definitely holds up its rating with the food, service, and especially the lounge experience in Athens.
The airline does serve Heathrow multiple times a day, and will also begin flights to London Gatwick come fall 2024.
Editor’s Note: Aegean Air provided AirlineGeeks with a seat on this flight, but this trip report is an objective portrayal of the events and is in no way swayed by that aspect.
Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.
High-Ranking NetJets Pilots Union Leaders Handed ‘Unprecedented’ Termination
Two high-ranking elected officials within the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) were recently terminated.
The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots alleged the two pilots were terminated because of their role in negotiating the union’s new five-year agreement with the private jet operator.
(Photo: NetJets)
wo high-ranking elected officials within the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP)—including the union’s vice president—were recently terminated from the company in what the labor group is calling an “unprecedented” move.
The NJASAP represents NetJets’ 3,430 pilots and recently signed a new contract with the world’s largest private jet operator.
In a news release published on Monday, the NJASAP alleged the two pilots were terminated because of their role in negotiating the five-year agreement, which was overwhelmingly ratified in April. The union also said the termination decision was “unlawful, unjust and in retaliation for the $1.6B in improvements the pilots negotiated during midterm bargaining that concluded earlier this year.”
NetJets said it had no comment on the matter.
The terminated pilots included the NJASAP vice president and strategy group chairman. According to the union, they were both captains with 23 and 18 years at the company, respectively. The two pilots had “unblemished professional records,” NJASAP president Captain Pedro Leroux said in the release.
“Choosing to terminate two high-ranking union leaders is not simply another hurdle to resetting the landscape, but a move reflective of a strategy that is not sustainable in the long term,” Leroux said.
This move is the latest in an ongoing back-and-forth between NetJets and its pilots union. In June, the company sued the NJASAP for defamation over safety and pilot training claims.
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FlyingMag.com.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
An American Boeing 777-200 in Miami. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
American is planning to add a widebody aircraft to a short-haul route this winter. According to Ishrion Aviation on Twitter/X, the airline will deploy a Boeing 777-200 between Miami and Cancun starting in December 2024.
The Miami-Cancun route is 531 miles and blocked at 1 hour and 57 minutes. It will become American’s shortest regularly scheduled widebody route during the winter season.
Beginning on Dec. 19, 2024, the Boeing 777-200 is slated to serve the route once per day through Jan. 6, 2025. The outbound leg is AA2494, departing Miami at 8:35 a.m. and arriving in Cancun at 10:32 a.m. The return flight is AA1469 which departs Cancun at 11:40 a.m. and lands in Miami at 1:35 p.m.
In December, American will fly up to five daily flights between its Miami hub and Cancun per Cirium Diio schedule data.
This is not the first time the airline has scheduled a widebody jet on the popular leisure route. Between 2018 and 2020, American occasionally operated a Boeing 767-300 between the two cities.
At various times between 2021 and 2023, the Fort Worth-based carrier flew both Boeing 777-200s and 787-8s between Miami and Havana, a route planned at just 235 miles.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
This deal enables Qatar Airways to grow its portfolio of airline investments and reinforces its commitment to enhancing connectivity within Africa.
This also marks a significant step in the Doha-based airline’s strategic expansion across the African continent.
Qatar Airways CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said that Africa is significant in the airline’s global strategy, noting that the continent represents 18% of the world’s population and remains underserved in terms of air connectivity.
“Africa is very important for us, and it is really underserved as a continent,” Al-Meer said.
Privately owned Airlink has established itself as a key player in African aviation. As a prominent regional airline operating in Africa, Airlink flies to more than 45 destinations across 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Investing in Africa
This investment by Qatar Airways is a sign of its belief in the future of African aviation.
In addition to its stake in South Africa’s Airlink, Qatar Airways is also close to finalizing a long-planned investment in Rwanda’s state-owned airline.
Qatar will acquire a 49% stake in RwandAir. The move is designed to enhance Qatar Airways’ access to passengers from regional African cities, and thus further strengthen its position in African aviation.
Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.
Montana Woman Faces Prison Time, Hefty Fine for Lunging at Controls on Commercial Flight
36-year-old Tracy Lynn Eagleman pled guilty after causing a small commercial aircraft to accelerate and turn on the runway.
A Cape Air Cessna 402 in Saranac Lake, New York. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
A passenger aboard a small commercial airplane pleaded guilty to interfering with an aircraft in flight on Thursday after she lunged at the controls during its landing in Havre, Mont.
36-year-old Tracy Lynn Eagleman faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release after causing the aircraft to accelerate and turn on the runway, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.
The release states the court presided under Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris will determine any sentence on Dec. 11 after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Eagleman was detained pending further proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich represents the government in prosecuting the case. According to court documents, the government alleged that on March 21, 2023, Eagleman was a passenger on Cape Air flight 1793, a Cessna 402 that departed from Billings, Mont., and was bound for Havre. 10 miles out from Havre, Eagleman stood up and started yelling about the landing.
The release states that the flight crew – a captain and first officer – were able to calm Eagleman down and get her back into her seat. However, just as the aircraft touched down, Eagleman lunged forward from her seat and hit the flight controls.
Eagleman hit the throttle for one of the two engines, causing it to accelerate and prompting the plane to yaw on the runway. During this time, the plane was traveling between 70 and 75 knots – approximately 80 miles per hour. The flight crew was able to regain control of the aircraft without further incident, and eventually taxied safely to the airport terminal.
The release adds that one of the passengers recorded the incident on a cell phone. This recording failed to capture the moment Eagleman lunged at the control deck, but other passengers are heard yelling in fear.
In later interviews, the flight crew said that yawing at 70 knots in an unbalanced aircraft could cause it to roll and crash. The FBI and Hill County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.
A report published by the Havre Weekly Chronicle states Eagleman was previously arrested on March 2, 2017 on charges of criminal trespass to vehicles and endangering the welfare of children after a local business caller on First Street East reported a woman with two little girls was “walking up and down checking cars.”
Hill County District Court documents show Eagleman was found guilty of one felony charge of endangering the welfare of children and two misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass to vehicles on March 19, 2018.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
On Monday, Kenya Airways announced its financial results for the first half of the year, revealing a profit after tax for the first time since 2013. The airline reported a profit of Kshs 513 million ($3.95 million) for the first half of the financial year ending June 30, 2024, marking a turnaround from the Kshs 21.7 billion loss reported in the previous period.
During this period, Kenya Airways carried 2.54 million passengers, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year. This growth in passenger numbers contributed to the airline’s revenue of Kshs 91 billion ($846 million).
The airline also saw a 16% increase in capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), to 7.991 billion ASKs, while Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) rose by 14%. These improvements are attributed to the airline’s strategic turnaround plan.
Kenya Airways Chairman, Michael Joseph, praised the airline’s performance, stating, “The impressive results reaffirm the operational viability of our business and highlight the effectiveness of the collective efforts by our board, management, and staff. This achievement underscores the strength and resilience of Kenya Airways as we move forward on our path to sustained profitability.”
Despite the expansion, operating costs increased by 22%. The airline’s profit after tax saw a 102% improvement.
Joseph emphasized the airline’s focus on completing its capital restructuring plan to reduce financial leverage and enhance liquidity, ensuring a strong foundation for long-term growth and stability. “Kenya Airways is committed to maintaining this positive momentum, building on the success of the first half of 2024 as we continue to strive for excellence in the aviation industry,” he concluded.
Kenya Airways CEO, Allan Kilavuka, also commented on the improved financial performance, noting, “Our financial results clearly indicate that our strategic initiatives are delivering the desired outcomes. We have focused on strengthening our core operations, enhancing customer service, and exploring new growth opportunities. This performance positions us well to navigate the challenges of the aviation industry and prepare for future growth.”
Following significant transformation efforts, Kenya Airways is now a different airline, prioritizing profitable growth as a key condition for future expansion. The airline’s ongoing recovery and turnaround initiatives led to an operating profit of Ksh 10.5 billion ($80.85 million) for the year ending Dec. 31, 2023, compared to an operating loss of Ksh 5.6 billion ($43.12 million) in the prior year—a 287% improvement, as reported in March this year.
The Government of Kenya, as a major investor in Kenya Airways, has expressed its strong support for the airline’s operational and capital structure optimization process and remains closely involved throughout the transaction process, intending to continue as a major stakeholder in the long term.
Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.
Various aircraft in Boston (Photo: Shutterstock | Felix Mizioznikov)
U.S. airlines set a new record, employing over one million people across both passenger and cargo sectors. In June 2024, U.S. scheduled carriers added just over 200,000 jobs.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires passenger, cargo, and charter carriers operating at least one aircraft that has more than 60 seats or the capacity to carry a payload of passengers, cargo, and fuel weighing more than 18,000 pounds to report workforce statistics on a monthly basis. Since 1990, the agency’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics has compiled this data.
Scheduled passenger carriers employed 546,446 staff members in June 2024, the most in over two decades. Cargo operators had 452,155 workers during the same month. Notably, FedEx consolidated its various operating companies to form Federal Express Corporation, which in turn increased the number of U.S. airline workers.
Cargo airlines represent 45% of the industry-wide employment total, while passenger carriers hold the majority at 55%. In June, Delta added 1,217 employees, American added 193, and SkyWest added 181 with passenger airlines growing their workforces by nearly 2,000 employees month-over-month.
“These one million men and women are the backbone of our industry, which is why A4A member airlines continue to invest significantly in current and future employees to ensure that we have people trained and in the right places at the right time in order to accommodate the demand for air travel and shipping,” Rebecca Spicer, SVP of Communications for trade group Airlines for America (A4A), said in a news release. “We are grateful for our employees’ dedication to getting millions of travelers to their destinations safely and tons of cargo delivered every single day across the country and around the world.”
DOT data also shows that the number of full-time employees is slightly higher between May and June. Of the 26 scheduled passenger airlines reporting data for June 2024, they employed 517,526 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs), a 1,030 FTE increase over May 2024.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Alaska and Hawaiian aircraft in Maui. (Photo: Shutterstock / EQRoy)
The Department of Justice (DOJ)’s deadline to review the proposed merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines expired early Tuesday morning, allowing the acquisition to move forward. The deal, valued at approximately $1.9 billion, will combine two of the largest airlines serving the West Coast and Hawaii.
Under the terms of the merger, Alaska will acquire Hawaiian, with both airlines continuing to operate under their respective brands. According to the companies, the combined airlines will offer expanded service options for passengers traveling to and from Hawaii, as well as enhanced connectivity to the mainland United States.
The proposed merger was first announced in December 2023. “This is a significant milestone in the process to join our airlines,” Alaska said in a statement.
The deal is expected to close in the coming months, subject to the satisfaction of other closing conditions and regulatory reviews. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is also expected to review the planned merger.
Last week, a federal judge dismissed a consumer lawsuit regarding the merger, citing the plaintiffs’ lack of standing.
“Alaska worked closely with the Hawai‘i Attorney General to reinforce and expand upon our commitments for the future of Hawaiian Airlines and to Hawai‘i consumers. These include plans to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand and local jobs and continue providing strong service between, to, and from the Islands,” the airline added in its statement.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
New Atlas Air Academy Creates Direct Pathway for Hiring Young Pilots
Atlas Air, the world’s largest operator of Boeing 747 aircraft, is partnering with an aviation education group to provide a hiring pathway for aspiring pilots.
A certified flight instructor with Spartan Education Group stands with students next to a Cessna 172 Skyhawk plane. The students are part of the inaugural class in Atlas Air’s pilot academy. (Photo: Spartan Education Group)
Atlas Air, the world’s largest operator of Boeing 747 aircraft, is partnering with an aviation education group to provide a hiring pathway for aspiring pilots who want to work for the large cargo airline. The program is designed to attract young people whom the company can prepare according to its requirements as it continues to grow internationally.
Several passenger airlines have established pathways with flight schools to facilitate the recruitment of new pilots, but New York-based Atlas Air is one of the only known cargo airlines to work directly with a flight school on a dedicated pilot training academy.
Spartan Education Group, which provides government-approved training programs and career pathways for pilots and aviation technicians at a handful of U.S. campuses, announced Monday that it has opened the Atlas Cadet Academy at its West Chicago, Illinois, flight school. The initiative offers participants a defined avenue to potential first officer positions with Atlas Air, which also operates Boeing 767 and 777 widebody aircraft.
In addition to the normal curriculum covering essential aeronautical knowledge and preparation for Federal Aviation Administration certification and rating exams, the academy will provide customized instruction and firsthand exposure to the airline’s culture. The idea is to facilitate integration of new employees and give Atlas Air better control of the labor pipeline.
Unlike a typical flight school where graduates can eventually be recruited by any airline, the academy clears a lane for students to work at Atlas Air.
“We work very closely with Atlas to design a program that creates the skills and competencies that they’re looking for. If I’m a university or flight school and I’ve got 20 airlines all recruiting, it’s really tough for me to tailor my program for any one of those airlines,” said Dan Bregman, Spartan Education Group’s vice president of strategy and development, in a phone interview. “We are recruiting students from day one who are interested in flying for Atlas, which is different from a lot of other partnerships. We don’t want another airline poaching you. We want to keep you focused on this path that you’ve chosen.”
Enhanced training might include flying a 250-mile route with three stops to replicate what a short-haul cargo pilot might experience.
The Atlas Cadet Academy initiated its first class in June with 13 new students and one certified flight instructor. It will continue to grow each month as more people meet the entry requirements, including an FAA-approved medical exam, and complete the Academy orientation, said Bregman.
Cadets can earn their FAA certifications and ratings (instrument, multiengine, etc.) as quickly as 13 months flying small, single-turboprop planes and then build toward the 1,500 hours necessary to earn an unrestricted Airline Transport Pilot certification by working as a certified flight instructor. (Those who obtain a business degree in aviation only require 1,200 hours of flying time.) After that, each flight instructor will continue training with a minimum of 250 hours in more advanced aircraft – Cessna Caravan, Beechcraft 1900, Saab 340B and Aerostar turboprop aircraft – flying for unscheduled charter operators Castle Aviation and Planemasters, Bregman explained. Planemasters is co-located with Spartan’s College of Aeronautics and Technology at DuPage Airport.
It may take four to five years for a high school graduate to achieve an unrestricted commercial pilot’s license because certification has a minimum age of 23. Spartan’s relationships with Castle Aviation and Planemasters allow fledgling pilots to earn money and build necessary hours until they’re eligible to join Atlas Air.
The airline employs more than 2,900 pilots. International Aviation Professionals Local 2750, the Teamsters union that represents Atlas Air pilots, says 532 pilots resigned last year and 269 have left the company this year.
Tailored Approach
Bregman said Spartan plans to unveil a proprietary app in late September that will contain features such as supplementary Atlas Air training materials, interview tips and the ability to do virtual fireside chats with Atlas crew members and managers.
Atlas Air doesn’t cover students’ costs or pay Spartan for each graduate but has made an undisclosed investment in the program and provides resources, according to Bregman. Potential program benefits include visits from Atlas Air pilots to discuss professional development and company safety practices, touring Atlas’ flight operations center to see how an airline operates behind the scenes, experiencing a flight simulator, having lunch with executives, and attending training for flight attendants (Atlas operates some 747 passenger aircraft under charter contracts) to gain the cabin crew perspective.
Familiarizing students with the company early on demystifies the hiring process and makes the transition to a first officer much easier, he said.
Cadets can finance their training through a private loan program or get an associate flight degree from the College of DuPage, which provides access to federal financial aid and has a relationship with Spartan.
Spartan a couple years ago changed its strategy to one that treats airlines, rather than the student, as the customer and the student as the product, said Bregman. The approach resembles the way community colleges work with a manufacturer or other company to develop students with specific skills that make them more attractive hires than someone with generic industry skills. The Atlas academy is similar to a recent program Spartan started with Allegiant Airlines.
“It allows us to incorporate into the FAA-mandated training other kinds of experiences that we think make you a more competent pilot and enhance your skill set. We don’t want our students to be the deer in the headlights. We want them to walk into ground school at Atlas feeling full of confidence that they can do this,” Bregman told FreightWaves.
He made clear that Spartan doesn’t guarantee employment.
United Airlines in February 2022 opened a pilot academy at Phoenix Goodyear Airport with the goal of training 5,000 pilots by 2030. It is the only flight academy operated by a major U.S. airline. Spartan College also provides an academy program for American Airlines that is less structured than the ones for Allegiant and Atlas Air.
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FreightWaves.
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