ATP Flight School Predicts Big Year for Pilot Hiring

Major carriers saw hiring rise going into a demand-heavy 2026.

Caleb Revill

Friday, January 23, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Estimates from the National Air Carrier Association show more than 16,000 mandatory pilot retirements over the next five years and a cumulative shortage of 28,126 pilots by 2030. [Credit: ATP Flight School]

Key Takeaways:

Pilot hiring is projected to continue its significant growth into 2026, building on accelerated activity from late 2025, with major airlines like American, United, and Delta setting ambitious hiring targets.
Strong pilot demand is fueled by an anticipated 16,000+ mandatory retirements over the next five years, potentially leading to a cumulative shortage of over 28,000 pilots by 2030, alongside expanding global air travel.
ATP Flight School, the largest U.S. pilot training institute, placed 983 graduates at airlines in 2025, contributed to a 17 percent increase in major airline hiring, and accounted for one out of every four regional pilot new hires.

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ATP Flight School expects pilot hiring to continue growing in 2026 after accelerated activity in the fourth quarter of 2025.

According to a news release from the largest pilot training institute in the U.S., American Airlines and United Airlines increased their hiring to a combined 500 pilots per month at the end of 2025. These numbers are anticipated to continue into the first quarter of 2026.