United Airlines, one of the three largest carriers in the United States, is celebrating onboarding over 6,300 pilots since April 2021 and a pilot group with 17,000 pilots on the seniority list. For United Airlines, the US commercial pilot shortage of recent years seems to be a nonissue.
The flight operations team at United Airlines recently shared with its pilots, like Pamela Purdue, that the airline has enjoyed “a strong pipeline of applicants.” It is so strong that about 77% of the 2,348 pilots hired in 2023 exceeded minimum flight hour requirements by at least 1,000 hours – a significant milestone of flight experience.
Additionally, according to Airline Geeks, United Airlines hired 270 pilots in October 2023 – nearly 70 new pilots for each week of October. Cross-referencing with Future & Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA) – October was United Airlines’ biggest month for pilot hiring in 2023. FAPA’s table also indicated that for 2023, United Airlines’ ability to hire 2,349 pilots was only slightly behind Delta Air Lines’ overall hiring, with Delta’s 2,424.
The ratification of a new contract for pilots has helped pilot hiring. The new contract comes with over $10 billion in new investments for all pilots.
But there is more to United Airlines’ pilot hiring success than size and pay. United Airlines has created and maintained multiple pathways to becoming a pilot for the airline.
For instance, the United Military Pilot Program (UMPP) offers a pathway for military pilots of human-crewed aircraft to become a first officer pilot for United Airlines. There is a mentorship program and special outreach. Additionally, United Airlines offers accommodation for those military pilots going from active duty to the reserves.
Additionally, United Airlines has the United Aviate Academy (UAA) in Goodyear, Arizona. The academy accepts less than 2% of applicants. Currently, it has 380 students training to join 3,000 pilots working for United Airlines partners – not just three exclusive United Express carriers to have sufficient experience to work for United Airlines.
However, United Airlines’ Aviate program is more than Aviate Academy, as seen above. Additionally, the program integrates members from participating universities, professional flight training organizations, Part 135 operators, and United Express carriers into a United Airlines flying career.
With over 6,300 pilots hired in almost three years and 236 widebodies – already the most in North America, United Airlines is on a flight path to exceed its goals. But every United Airlines pilot – no matter their path – must pass United Airlines’ Denver Flight Training Center (FTC) before flying professionally for United Airlines. United Airlines recently invested in expanding the training facility.