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2026 Pilot Hiring Outlook
In contrast to last year, airline pilot hiring is off to a strong start in 2026. Between American and United, short-term hiring is averaging roughly 500 combined new hires per month to begin the year. In addition, Delta is expected to restart new-hire classes later in 2026, while Alaska and Hawaiian will continue a slower hiring pace as they work through their merger. That said, their recent large Boeing aircraft order could signal meaningful growth in the near future. Frontier, UPS, and Southwest also restarted hiring last year, and we expect that momentum to continue into the new year.
While hiring is nowhere near COVID-era levels, it remains historically strong and is creating movement across nearly every segment of the industry. Pilot retirements at the top of seniority lists remain very high in 2026, and with airlines also planning for growth, continued hiring will be necessary to keep up with demand. Although only a few ULCCs are currently hiring, the major airline job market remains highly competitive, with solid opportunities for those who are well qualified.
The regional airline job market, however, remains challenging. Regionals have spent years building robust cadet programs to secure their future pilot supply. As of this newsletter’s publication, it is extremely difficult to be hired by a regional airline without being part of a cadet program. If you are currently in pilot training and have not yet applied to one, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible, ideally to multiple programs.
While the pilot job market remains somewhat unusual, we expect 2026 to be another year in which thousands of pilots have the opportunity to land their dream jobs. Make sure your applications and résumé are polished, and that you are fully prepared for interviews. If you would like help along the way, visit our website to learn more about our career services.
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