United States Airline Pilot Positions in June/July

AirlineCrewSolutions.com compiled current pilot positions at major airlines, regional airlines, and low-cost airlines in the United States, plus tips for your job search. Find an excerpt here:

PILOT HIRING GAINS MOMENTUM

Despite recent economic uncertainty, the pilot hiring market is starting to show signs of life once again. It was recently announced that American will continue pilot classes in late August and that their first few classes will be primarily composed of pilots who will flow from their wholly owned airlines. American plans to hire another 600-800 pilots in 2025.

Alaska and Hawaiian are also starting pilot hiring as they continue to work toward merging their pilot groups. After August 1, you will be able to apply to the joint airline and choose which seniority list you want to be placed on if you are hired (a potentially significant career decision).

While unconfirmed, rumors are circulating that United is gearing up to significantly increase their hiring starting in early 2026. United continues to hold new-hire classes regularly, however they are well below their hiring pace of 2022-2023. As soon as this information is confirmed, we will have updates on our social media pages.

Airplane deliveries seem to be on pace for a more consistent schedule while retirements continue to occur at high rates for some carriers. These factors lead to the perfect environment for consistent hiring at the majors. As the majors increase hiring, the regional airlines will follow suit as their attrition increases. Major airline hiring doesn't just affect those who are hired as it creates movement throughout the entire industry benefitting all pilots.

NETWORKING IN AVIATION

A common saying in the aviation industry is, "It's not what you know, but who you know." There are tens of thousands of ATP-rated pilots yet only so many airline jobs. We are all licensed to fly airplanes yet being hired at that next level can sometimes seem more like a popularity contest. So, what are these pilots doing to be hired more quickly than others? The simple answer—networking.

Networking is crucial in any professional field, and aviation isn't any different. While it is possible to be hired at an airline without networking, your chances of getting an interview faster increase dramatically with internal referrals. So, what are some steps you can take to network efficiently?

·       Attend job fairs (even as a CFI).

·       Join pilot organizations (NGPA, WAI, RTAG, etc.).

·       Find a mentor from organizations such as Professional Pilots of Tomorrow.

·       Build an online professional profile.

When you are networking, BE GENUINE and not transactional. You never know who you are talking to or what you too might bring to the relationship.

THE POWER OF LINKEDIN

LinkedIn has become an essential tool that anyone seeking a job can use to network for free. Setting up a professional profile is quick, easy, and FREE. All you have to do is complete information about your professional history, such as where you went to school, prior and current jobs, etc. Make sure your profile picture is one that you would want your future employer to see—first impressions are important. 

And then do start connecting with others!

For pilots seeking jobs, it has never been easier to connect directly with airline recruiters. A simple search on LinkedIn and you can find the recruiters from your desired airline(s) and read any updates they post about airline hiring and events. Like and comment on these posts. Interact with each recruiter in a positive way that might bring attention to your profile. Additionally, to attract attention, you can message the recruiters with any questions. Well-timed, succinct conversations might be what brings you the call.

Read the complete article, and which airline is currently offering pilot positions:

AirlineCrewSolutions.com

Record Bookings - But Also Insolvencies

After Air Berlin and the Small Planet Airline, the third German airline based in Berlin must cease operations within 15 months. Once again an airline from the holiday/low-cost segment.

A paradox: The major airlines worldwide are reporting record load factors and often solid profits.  Nevertheless, in addition to the German airlines mentioned, other players have also disappeared from the market.  Ryanair has just reported a loss and companies such as WOW Air or the Norwegian Airlines are significantly reducing the size of their route network and fire employees in the hope of reducing their massive losses.

How can this strong polarisation be explained?  The aviation industry has traditionally been a very low-margin industry.  Evaluations by the aviation association IATA for the period from 2004 to 2014 show that the average profit margin of airlines has been only 2.8 percent.  In addition to high market entry costs, the industry is also extremely dependent on external influences such as fuel prices or geopolitical events. 

For larger airlines, such as Lufthansa or American Airlines, the sale of miles via the subsidiary Miles & More is a very important source of income - not the ticket sales. 

Smaller airlines such as Germania cannot fall back on such sources of profit outside their core business, which puts them at a further competitive disadvantage.

On the one hand, this increasing discrepancy between small and large airlines leads to mergers, but on the other hand, it also forces many airlines into insolvency.

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