An American A321 in Charlotte, North Carolina. [Credit: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson]
Key Takeaways:
American Airlines is halting all new pilot hiring classes for the remainder of 2024 to evaluate "commercial and talent needs."
The decision stems from being ahead of 2024 hiring targets after record recruitment in 2023, coupled with significant aircraft delivery delays from Boeing.
American joins other major U.S. carriers like Delta, United, and Southwest, which have also scaled back or paused pilot recruitment following a period of extensive hiring.
Ryan is Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group, overseeing a portfolio that includes FLYING, AirlineGeeks, AVweb, Plane + Pilot, KITPLANES, and AircraftForSale.com. He founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has more than a decade of experience across aviation media, airport operations, airline workforce planning, and Part 135 regulatory compliance. His experience ranges from time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing aviation industry executives. Ryan holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and is an adjunct instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
