Current State of Airline Hiring in the U.S. and Canada

 

✈️ The Current State of Airline Hiring in the U.S. and Canada  

Pilot hiring across North America has continued its return to pre-pandemic norms. In 2025, the industry has seen approximately 5,000 new Pilot hires—a sharp contrast to the 13,000+ annual hires during the height of the post-COVID recovery.

For Pilots who entered the field in the wake of the pandemic—especially those in training, Flight instructing, or Flying entry-level positions—this shift may feel frustratingly slow. But it’s important to understand: this isn’t a downturn—it’s a rebalancing.

📉 The surge was temporary. What we’re seeing now is stability returning to a traditionally cyclical industry.

💼 So, who’s hiring?

Despite the more competitive environment, opportunities still exist:

✅ Regional Airlines like Endeavor Air, Horizon Air, Republic Airways, and Piedmont Airlines remain active in recruitment.

✅ Major carriers—including American, Delta, and United—continue bringing on new Pilots, albeit at a more measured pace.

✅ Private Aviation operators such as NetJets and Flexjet are also expanding their pools.

📌 What should Pilots do now?

Stay current, stay connected, and stay proactive. Networking, professionalism, and adaptability remain key. The path may be longer than it was a few years ago—but the door is still open.

 

  To provide a clearer picture: Pre-Pandemic Hiring: Before the pandemic, the number of pilot hires in the US and Canada was generally lower and more stable. While specific figures varied year to year, the hiring rate in 2019 and earlier was significantly below the peaks seen in 2022 and 2023, which saw over 12,000 and 13,000 hires respectively in the US alone. The current numbers are indeed closer to these pre-pandemic norms. The Post-Pandemic Boom: The surge in hiring in 2022 and 2023 was driven by a rapid increase in travel demand as pandemic restrictions eased, coupled with factors like pilot retirements and a need to replenish workforces that were downsized during the pandemic. This created a highly favorable environment for pilots seeking jobs. The Current Normalization: The return to around 5,000 hires in 2025 reflects a stabilization of the market. Several factors contribute to this, including: Slower Fleet Growth: Delays in aircraft deliveries from manufacturers like Boeing have reduced the immediate need for as many new pilots. Post-Pandemic Overstaffing: Some airlines may have over-hired in the immediate post-pandemic recovery phase, leading to a reduced need for new recruits in 2025. Economic Uncertainty: Broader economic conditions can influence airline growth and hiring plans. Pilot Training Capacity: The capacity to train new pilots might not have kept pace with the rapid hiring of the past few years, creating a bottleneck. What This Means for Pilots: Slower Career Progression: Pilots in entry-level positions might experience a slower progression to higher-paying jobs at major airlines compared to the opportunities available in the recent past. Increased Competition: With fewer positions available than in the peak hiring years, there will likely be more competition for each opening. Importance of Standing Out: Pilots will need to focus on building a strong resume, gaining diverse experience, networking effectively, and potentially exploring opportunities at regional airlines or other aviation sectors to gain valuable flight time and experience. It's important to remember that the airline industry is cyclical. Periods of rapid growth and hiring are often followed by periods of slower growth or even contraction. This doesn't necessarily signify a negative long-term trend but rather a return to a more sustainable pace. The long-term outlook for pilot demand remains positive due to factors like mandatory retirements and projected growth in air travel over the next decade. Pilots who are proactive in their career development and adaptable to the changing market conditions will be best positioned to succeed in the long run.