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Airline Pilot Levels: From Captain to Second Officer

Learn all about commercial carrier rankings and how to climb to the top as a captain.

Airline pilot in the cockpit [Credit: Shutterstock]
Airline pilot in the cockpit [Credit: Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

Have you ever wondered what the stripes on a pilot’s uniform mean? They represent levels of rank for airline pilots.

What is the difference between a second officer and a captain? Learn why pilot levels exist, how to reach the highest pilot ranks, and what compensation and perks come along with reaching each pilot tier. 

FLYING Staff

FLYING Magazine is a one-stop resource for everything aviation, including news, training, aircraft, gear, careers, photos, videos, and more.

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