Who knew that the coronavirus pandemic would be the best thing to happen to airline hiring ever, but it has been. With the pandemic on the decline in 2022, airline travel picked up, to record numbers, in fact, and it quickly became clear that the airline pilot shortage analysts had been predicting for several years was happening, now. The effect was not only a record level of hiring for entry-level pilots but also record enrollment at airline pilot flight schools and universities with professional pilot programs. One unanticipated result was a huge increase in starting pay for new pilots, as majors and regionals alike went head to head for new talent, which translated into increased salaries for seasoned pilots. There was also what was surely a record amount of airline hopping, with pilots jetting from one carrier to another for bluer (or greener) horizons, which made captain upgrade opportunities all the more available. At this point, there’s no end in sight, as the public continues to make clear that it has an almost unlimited thirst for air travel.
Airline Hiring Binge
Key Takeaways:
- The post-pandemic surge in air travel created a significant pilot shortage, leading to unprecedented hiring levels and record enrollment in flight schools.
- Intense competition for new talent resulted in substantial increases in starting pay for new pilots and higher salaries for seasoned pilots across the industry.
- Pilots frequently moved between airlines for better prospects, accelerating captain upgrade opportunities, a trend expected to continue due to ongoing high demand for air travel.
See a mistake? Contact us.
