Regional Airlines Still Matter: Why Many Pilots Start There

Smaller carriers remain a key training ground through continued experience-building and career-advancement programs.

Parris Clarke

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Regional airlines play a crucial part in an aspiring aviators journey. [Credit: Unsplash]

Key Takeaways:

Regional airlines are a vital stepping stone for aspiring pilots, providing crucial Part 121 flight experience (including the 1,000 hours needed for Captain) and connecting smaller communities to major hubs.
They offer structured career pathways and programs (such as seniority-based flow, performance-based advancement, and interview-based entry) designed to transition pilots to major airlines.
Compensation for regional pilots has significantly increased, with first officers now averaging $94,000 annually and captains earning up to $230,000, making it a financially attractive career entry point.

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Eagerness is a natural human emotion. For pilots finally eclipsing 1,500 hours of flight time, that feeling certainly comes with the territory.

After putting in the time and financial resources climbing the ranks from private pilot to commercial pilot, and all the way to an ATP, the understandable inclination is to go immediately knocking on the door of the major airlines and ask for a job.