Trends and insights about the pilot job market in the United States.
The pilot job market in the United States is in an interesting place right now. While the demand for pilots soared post-pandemic, leading to record-breaking hiring numbers in 2022 and 2023, things have cooled off a bit in 2024. If you’re curious about the current landscape, here’s a deep dive into what’s happening and why.
Mergers, Network Changes and Recent Turbulences in the U.S. Airline Market
After a surge in pilot hires in the past couple of years, the trend has started to slow down. In the early months of 2024, major airlines hired around 1,716 pilots, a dip from the numbers we saw in the same periods of 2022 and 2023, where the figures were over 2,000. This reduction isn’t entirely surprising given the rapid expansion before, but it also reflects challenges and changes within the industry.
Legacy airlines have paused new pilot classes several times this year, with American Airlines planning new classes only in 2025. This temporary halt is mainly due to supply chain issues. Boeing is experiencing delivery delays following recent safety events and quality problems with their products. Additionally, the supply of electronics, interiors, and aircraft engines continues to affect the industry since the pandemic, preventing Airbus from increasing the production of new planes to fill the gap left by Boeing.
Market seasonal movements and turbulence are also impacting the demand for pilots. ULCCs (Ultra-Low Cost Carriers) are struggling with increasing competition from network carriers in the post-pandemic era, so structural changes in the strategy and network are expected in order to keep their business model alive. Additionally, major airlines are showing lower-than-expected financial performance this summer due to overcapacity in some markets, what is leading to seat offering cuts. Mergers are also in the radar: the recent failed merger attempt between Spirit and JetBlue resulted in a furlough of Spirit pilots and significant route cuts by JetBlue. Furthermore, the hiring forecasts at Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines still depend on their ongoing merger process.
Regional Airlines are Still a Hotspot for Pilot Jobs?
Regional airlines are among the most impacted by the pilot shortage. Recently, hundreds of regional aircraft were grounded due to a lack of pilots, and many regional carriers were offering attractive signing bonuses and other perks to attract and retain experienced pilots.
However, this scenario is rapidly changing. Some regional airlines already cut the bonuses and are slowing down on pilot hiring. Mesa Airlines just announced a furlough of dozens of pilots and has paused new hires training. This is happening because regional and other smaller air operators usually supply pilots to major airlines. Therefore, when the majors stop hiring, a cascading effect occurs, causing a slowdown throughout the entire system.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
So, has the pilot shortage ended? Not according to projections. Despite this market slowdown and the record number of new airline transport pilots (ATP) trained in the last two consecutive years, the number of pilots reaching mandatory retirement age will also hit record levels in the coming years. Industry studies do not indicate that demand will slow down, and aircraft manufacturers continue to report record orders for new aircraft, not just from US airlines, but worldwide.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has pointed out that while there are enough pilots for now, there might be shortages in the near future. This makes it crucial for the industry to continue investing in training and recruitment to meet future needs.
Moreover, there’s a growing focus on making aviation careers more attractive, with airlines offering higher pay and even setting up their own flight schools. These efforts are aimed at ensuring a steady flow of new pilots to meet ongoing demand, particularly as the industry recovers from recent challenges and looks to the future .
Conclusion
While there is a temporary slowdown in pilot hiring, the long-term outlook for pilots remains bright. The industry must navigate these short-term challenges while preparing for future growth. As aviation history shows, market changes are extremely fast in this business. Those looking to secure a pilot position in the U.S. must be aware and ready to make their next move when the opportunity arises. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just starting, keeping your skills sharp and staying updated with the latest trends is essential.
Don’t forget to keep your logbook updated and organized. Wader Pilot Logbook makes it easy to track your flights, certifications, and progress. Stay ready for your next opportunity—download the app today and keep flying high!
If you're looking for a visa application to fly in the US, remember that Wader users will save $3,500 when signing up for National Niner’s EB-2 visa process and receive a 1-year FREE subscription to Wader PRO. Find out more here.