After a challenging year for the aviation industry, there’s finally a silver lining on the horizon for commercial pilots.
2025 is shaping up to be a year of renewed opportunity, with airlines across the U.S. gearing up to hire thousands of new pilots.
Airlines across the U.S. are preparing to hire thousands of new commercial pilots, and the industry is buzzing with opportunity.
But which airlines are leading the charge, and what does this mean for aspiring pilots?
Let’s break it down!
Why Are Airlines Hiring So Many Pilots in 2025?
Several big things are happening all at once, creating a huge demand for pilots:
✅ More Planes Are Ready to Fly – Major airplane makers like Boeing and Airbus had delays in 2024, but those problems are being solved. Now airlines are finally getting the new planes they ordered, and they need pilots to fly them!
✅ More People Are Traveling – Air travel is booming again! As more people book flights, airlines need more pilots to operate them.
✅ Many Pilots Are Retiring – Thousands of airline pilots are hitting retirement age, leaving open positions that need to be filled fast.
✅ Regional Airlines Are Growing – Smaller airlines are adding more flights and aircraft, making them a great entry point for new pilots.
With all of these factors combined, 2025 is one of the best years in a long time to become a commercial pilot. Now, let’s look at which airlines are doing the most hiring!
Top Airlines Hiring Pilots in 2025
If you’re serious about becoming a pilot, these airlines should be on your radar:
1. Delta Air Lines ✈️
Delta slowed down hiring in 2024, but now they’re bouncing back in a big way.
- Hiring goal: Over 5,000 pilots in 2025
- Why? Delta is expanding its routes and bringing in new aircraft, meaning they need more pilots to handle the demand.
- Best way to apply: Delta offers hiring pathways through flight schools and regional airlines like Endeavor Air.
2. American Airlines 🛫
American Airlines is seeing a massive wave of pilot retirements, which means tons of open spots.
- Hiring goal: 1,500+ pilots in 2025
- Why? They need to replace retiring pilots and expand their workforce.
- Best way to apply: Their Cadet Academy is a direct path to a cockpit job for new pilots.
3. United Airlines 🌍
United is thinking long-term and is on a hiring spree.
- Hiring goal: 10,000 pilots over the next 10 years (including thousands in 2025)
- Why? They just received their 1,000th aircraft and have orders for 900 more!
- Best way to apply: United’s Aviate Program fast-tracks pilots straight to the airline after training.
4. Regional or Low Cost Airlines (Great for New Pilots!)
Regional airlines are hiring aggressively, and they’re often the best way for new pilots to get their first airline job.
⭐ Envoy Air – Adding 31 new planes in 2025, which means they need a lot of pilots!
⭐ GoJet Airlines – Plans to double its fleet of CRJ-550s, creating more pilot opportunities.
⭐ Republic Airways – Expanding fast and hiring many First Officers, especially from their cadet program.
⭐ Frontier Airlines – Continues hiring as they take delivery of new aircraft.
If you’re a new pilot looking for your first airline job, regional airlines are your best bet!
They offer a fast way to gain experience and move up to major airlines like Delta and United later.
What This Means for Future Pilots
Easy, now is the time to start training! Industry experts predict that in 2026, there will be a shortage of 24,000 pilots, meaning airlines will need even more new hires.
Pilots who start training now will be ready just in time to take advantage of this hiring wave. The demand isn’t just high—it’s expected to keep growing for years to come!
This means better opportunities and more choices when it comes to picking an airline to work for.
Some airlines are even offering bonuses and free tuition or reimbursement to attract new pilots, making flight training more affordable than ever.
Additionally, airlines are partnering with flight schools and cadet programs to speed up training and create a direct path to cockpit jobs.
This means new pilots can enter the workforce faster, sometimes securing a job before they even finish training!
For those already in flight school or considering it, 2025-2026 will be one of the best hiring windows in recent history.
If you start now, you could be landing your first airline job right as the demand peaks.
Where Should Aspiring and Experienced Pilots Apply?
With so many airlines hiring in 2025, simply knowing who is recruiting isn’t enough—you also need a strategy to stand out and land the best job possible.
Whether you’re just starting out or already have flight hours under your belt, here’s how you can improve your chances:
1. Choose the Right Pathway Based on Your Experience
🔹 Aspiring Pilots (No Experience or Student Pilots) – Your best options are cadet programs, aviation schools with airline partnerships, or regional airlines offering fast-track promotions.
(Credits: @frontier airlines)
🔹 Low-Hour Pilots (Newly Certified or Flight Instructors) – Consider regional airlines that offer sign-on bonuses, guaranteed flow-through programs to major carriers, and quick upgrades to captain.
🔹 Experienced Pilots (From Regionals, Cargo, or Military) – Apply directly to major airlines like Delta, United, and American, which are offering hiring incentives for pilots with 1,500+ hours.
2. Look for Hiring Incentives and Fast-Track Programs
Many airlines are offering bonuses, tuition reimbursement, or direct-entry captain positions to attract new pilots.
Some great opportunities include:
✅ United Aviate Program – Direct path from flight training to United Airlines.
✅ American Airlines Cadet Academy – Offers financial support and a clear path to American Eagle.
✅ Delta Propel Program – Fast-tracks university and military pilots to Delta.
✅ Envoy Air, GoJet, Republic Airways – Offering signing bonuses and priority hiring for pilots in cadet programs.
3. Explore Alternative Pilot Careers (Beyond Passenger Airlines)
If competition for major airlines feels too high, consider other aviation jobs that pay well and provide strong career growth:
✈️ Cargo Airlines (FedEx, UPS, Amazon Air) – Often offer better pay and schedules than passenger airlines.
🚁 Corporate & Private Jet Pilots – Business aviation is booming, with high salaries and more flexibility.
🌍 International Airlines – Some foreign carriers are offering relocation bonuses for pilots willing to work abroad.
🚨 Government & Special Operations – Law enforcement, fire suppression, and medical evacuation flights are always in demand.
Conclusion: 2025 Is a Huge Opportunity for Pilots!
The aviation industry is hiring again, and 2025 is one of the best years in decades to start a career as a commercial pilot.
- Airlines are hiring thousands of new pilots due to increased travel demand and pilot retirements.
- Major airlines like Delta, American, and United are leading the hiring boom.
- Regional airlines are a great entry point for new pilots looking to start their careers.
- If you start training now, you could be cockpit-ready just in time for the biggest hiring wave!
If flying has always been your dream, there has never been a better time to take the first step.
The sky is calling—will you answer? ✈️
