Pilot Hiring Nosedives in 2024

Major U.S. airlines hired far fewer pilots last year.

An American Boeing 737-800 [Credit: AirlineGeeks/ William Derrickson]

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 carriers 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 percent year-over-year drop.

United Leads

United Airlines 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.

Aircraft at United’s Aviate Academy in Arizona [Credit: GoJet Airlines)

Delta Air Lines 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 Airlines and FedEx didn’t hire any pilots in 2024. Both Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines halted regular hiring during the first quarter of last year.

American Airlines 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 percent 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.


Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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