The Current State of Airline Hiring

Here’s how pilot job openings have evolved lately.

John McDermott

Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 07:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

American Airlines says it is willing to step up pay incentives for pilots that keeps pace with those offered by Delta Air Lines. [Credit: iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Pilot hiring has normalized to pre-pandemic levels, significantly slowing from recent peaks but still seeing recruitment from regional airlines and some major carriers, alongside a continued strong demand for aircraft mechanics.
Despite a current slowdown influenced by aircraft delivery issues and some airlines scaling back growth, a mild uptick or steady hiring is anticipated due to increasing aircraft deliveries and future pilot retirements.
Aspiring and current pilots should prioritize maintaining flight currency and proficiency, actively building professional networks, and preparing diligently during these slower periods to be competitive for future opportunities.

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In recent months, pilot hiring has returned to normal pre-pandemic levels. Roughly 5,000 airline pilots were hired across the board in 2024, down from 13,000 a couple years prior.

This has created a condition that seems unbearably slow for pilots that launched their careers after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those still training or working in entry-level pilot and flight instructor positions. Yet the slowdown is not inherently a bad sign. A return to normal was always inevitable, and the industry has ups and downs that veterans are sometimes painfully accustomed to.