Major U.S. Airlines Hire Fewer Pilots in 2023

Despite an overall reduction in pilot hiring trends, some airlines reported a record year in 2023.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 02:59 PM ET

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Inside the cockpit of an Air Italy Boeing 737 Max. [Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr]

Key Takeaways:

Major U.S. airlines hired 6.2% fewer pilots in 2023 compared to 2022, totaling 12,335 new hires, yet it remained the second-highest hiring year on record.
Pilot hiring varied significantly, with Allegiant, American, Delta, and Southwest reporting record-setting years, while carriers like Spirit, FedEx, and UPS drastically reduced or halted recruitment.
Despite a projected decrease in 2024 hiring (75% of previous two years' figures), it's expected to still exceed pre-pandemic levels, with regional airlines continuing to offer lucrative bonuses for direct-entry captains.

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Major U.S. airlines hired fewer pilots year-over-year in 2023, according to data from pilot career advisory firm FAPA. In total, the 13 U.S. major airlines that FAPA tracks recorded 12,335 new hires, a 6.2% decrease from 2022 figures.

This decrease comes on the heels of some airlines halting pilot hiring altogether. In October 2023, ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Spirit indefinitely suspended hiring. Both FedEx and UPS have advised pilots already on property to look at flying at regional carriers, while also significantly pulling back the throttles on hiring.