U.S. Pilot Hiring on Track to Eclipse 2022 Levels

Pilot hiring is climbing to previously unseen levels with 2023 looking likely to surpass last year's numbers.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, October 04, 2023 at 06:55 PM ET

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Inside the cockpit of an Airbus A220. [Credit: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr]

Key Takeaways:

The aviation industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge in pilot hiring, with 2022 setting a record of over 13,000 pilots hired by major U.S. carriers, a number expected to be surpassed in 2023, while Boeing anticipates a global demand for 649,000 new pilots in the next two decades.
This rapid hiring is predominantly seen among major passenger carriers, contrasting sharply with a post-COVID decline in operations and pilot recruitment among freight operators like FedEx and UPS.
To address future demand and barriers to entry, major airlines are investing in their own flight academies, offering financial assistance, and creating new pathways for military aviators to transition into civilian pilot roles.

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The aviation industry is currently in an unprecedented time for multiple reasons, however, one in particular stands out compared to the rest: pilot hiring. In 2022, airlines in the United States set a record by hiring just over 13,000 pilots, almost tripling the previous high of just over 5,000 in 2021.

While the industry has seen significant peaks and lulls over the years, the current state shows pilot hiring climbing to previously unseen levels, with 2023 forecasted to surpass the hiring that occurred in 2022.