Delta has not stated if the change to its hiring guidelines is a result of the pilot shortage. [Courtesy: Delta Air Lines]
Key Takeaways:
Delta Airlines has updated its hiring policy, making a four-year college degree "preferred" rather than a mandatory requirement for first officer candidates.
This change aligns Delta with other major U.S. airlines, including Southwest, United, and American, which also do not require pilots to hold a bachelor's degree.
Delta stated the adjustment aims to remove unintentional hiring barriers and acknowledge that valuable life and leadership experience can be equivalent to a traditional college education, while the 1,500-hour flight time minimum remains.
Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL) will no longer require pilots to hold a bachelor’s degree, the airline announced this week.
“After a comprehensive review of our pilot hiring requirements, Delta has decided to make a four-year college degree ‘preferred’ rather than required for first officer candidates, effective immediately,” the company said in a statement.
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Based in Texas, Ashley is the former Marketing Manager at FLYING and focuses deeply on training and education. She graduated from the Baylor Institute for Air Science with a Bachelor's in Aviation Science and holds an MBA specializing in Marketing. She is an also instrument rated private pilot and licensed FAA dispatcher.
