What does the number of stripes on a pilot’s uniform mean?

The number of stripes on a pilot’s uniform represents the pilot’s level of experience and corresponding responsibility for the aircraft, crew, and passengers. A second officer or a flight engineer wears two stripes, a first officer (copilot/second in command) wears three stripes, and a captain, also known as a pilot in command, is awarded four stripes.

What is the highest rank a pilot can get?

Captain or pilot in command is the highest rank a pilot can earn. A captain has over 3,000 flight hours and is responsible for the entire aircraft and all occupants aboard.

What is the difference between a pilot and a captain?

Anyone with a pilot’s certificate is a pilot, however, a captain is the highest ranking level a pilot can achieve and outranks all other pilots, including cadet pilots, second officers, first officers, and senior first officers

Airline Pilot Levels: From Captain to Second Officer

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

FLYING Staff

Thursday, January 01, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Airline pilot in the cockpit [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Pilot ranks, denoted by stripes on their uniforms, signify a pilot's seniority, experience, level of responsibility for the aircraft and passengers, and corresponding compensation.
Pilots advance through a structured hierarchy—typically from Cadet/Training Pilot to Second Officer, First Officer, and eventually Captain—based on accumulated flight hours and overall seniority.
Seniority is crucial for career progression, leading to benefits such as higher salaries, preferential scheduling, better aircraft assignments, and desirable routes.
Captain is the highest rank a pilot can achieve, holding ultimate responsibility for the entire flight, aircraft, and all occupants.

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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.