Regional Airlines Still Matter: Why Many Pilots Start There

Smaller carriers remain a key training ground through continued experience-building and career-advancement programs.

Parris Clarke

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Regional airlines play a crucial part in an aspiring aviators journey. [Credit: Unsplash]

Key Takeaways:

Regional airlines are a vital component of the U.S. air travel industry, connecting smaller communities and serving as a crucial training ground for pilots to gain essential experience for major carriers.
They offer structured career pathways and "flow" programs, with varying models (e.g., seniority-based, performance-based, interview-based) from major airlines like American, Delta, and United, facilitating progression to major airline pilot positions.
Compensation for regional airline pilots has significantly improved, with first officers now earning an average of $94,000 in their first year, making it a financially attractive starting point for an aviation career.

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Eagerness is a natural human emotion. For pilots finally eclipsing 1,500 hours of flight time, that feeling certainly comes with the territory.

After putting in the time and financial resources climbing the ranks from private pilot to commercial pilot, and all the way to an ATP, the understandable inclination is to go immediately knocking on the door of the major airlines and ask for a job.