American Airlines Career Track^™ Become a American Airlines Pilot with ATP & American Airlines Cadet Academy

The most efficient path to an American Airlines career starts at ATP Flight School.

ATP Flight School's American Airlines Career Track^™ provides you with the most direct and structured career progression to a successful pilot career with American.

On your journey to American, you'll particpate in the American Airlines Cadet Academy, where you'll receive industry-proven flight training from ATP with a clear, structured path to becoming a pilot at American Airlines.

ATP graduate Dalton Caldwell shares his journey to American Airlines.

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How to Become an American Airlines Pilot

Below are the steps to become an American Airlines pilot.

Apply to American Airlines Cadet Academy

Successfully complete a series of interviews and receive an offer to join the American Airlines Cadet Academy Program. Accepted candidates also receive a Conditional Job Offer from one of American Airlines’ wholly owned regional partners.
Airline Career Pilot Program

Start flight training at ATP Flight School in the Airline Career Pilot Program. In six months to nine months, you'll earn your Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor Certificates.
Flight Instructor Job

Build experience as an ATP flight instructor after graduating to qualify for airline hiring minimums.
American Airlines Regional Carrier Pilot

Fly as an airline pilot for Envoy, Piedmont, or PSA.
American Airlines Pilot

Flow to American Airlines without an additional interview.

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Discover Your Career Track^™ to American AirlinesFrom ATP to American

American Airlines Career Track^™ How to Participate in the American Airlines Cadet Academy

Your path to becoming an American Airlines pilot starts at ATP Flight School. Here's how American Airlines Cadet Academy helps pilots advance from zero experience to becoming an American Airlines pilot.

Step 1

Apply to American Airlines Cadet Academy

Complete an application, online assessment, and a series of additional virtual and in-person interviews. Successful candidates will receive an offer to join the American Airlines Cadet Academy Program and a Conditional Offer of Employment from one of American Airlines’ wholly owned regional airlines.
Step 2

Airline Career Pilot Program

Start flight training in the Airline Career Pilot Program.
Step 3

Graduate with your Commercial & CFI Certificates

Remain in good standing, and within six months to nine months of starting the program, you’ll graduate with your Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor certificates.
Step 4

Build Flight Experience

Build experience as an ATP flight instructor after graduating to qualify for airline hiring minimums.
Step 5

Fly for American Airlines Regional Carrier

Become an airline pilot for one of American Airlines' wholly owned regional airlines: Envoy, Piedmont, and PSA.
Step 6

Fly for American Airlines

Upon accruing seniority at an American Airlines regional carrier, participate in the contractual flow-through to American Airlines.

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About American Airlines Fleet, Pay, Hiring, Crew Bases

American Airlines is one of the major airlines of the United Statis and a legacy carrier. The airline, along with its regional affiliates operating as American Eagle, conducts nearly 6,700 flights daily to more than 350 destinations in over 60 countries across the globe.

Latest News:

American Airlines has placed over 110 ATP graduates with the airline year-to-date. With additional retirements expected in 2027, American's continued hiring needs are expected to provide further opportunities for our graduates.

Source: ATP Flight School

Updated Sep 2, 2026

Hiring Information

American Airlines Hiring Information

Updated Jan 6, 2026

Accepting Resumes

Qualifications

	Minimum	Competitive
Total Time	1500	2500
Last 6 Months:
Multi Time:	25	50
Certificate	ATP	ATP
CFIIME
ATP Written
Education	No College Required	4-Year Degree
Age:	23

Resume Submittal

https://pilots.aa.com/

Payscale

American Airlines Payscale

Updated Jan 2, 2026

Year 12	$483/hr	$390/hr	$390/hr	$390/hr	$375/hr	$330/hr	$266/hr	$266/hr
Year 11	$480/hr	$387/hr	$387/hr	$387/hr	$372/hr	$327/hr	$264/hr	$264/hr
Year 10	$476/hr	$384/hr	$384/hr	$384/hr	$369/hr	$324/hr	$261/hr	$261/hr
Year 9	$472/hr	$381/hr	$381/hr	$381/hr	$366/hr	$320/hr	$258/hr	$258/hr
Year 8	$469/hr	$378/hr	$378/hr	$378/hr	$363/hr	$316/hr	$255/hr	$255/hr
Year 7	$465/hr	$375/hr	$375/hr	$375/hr	$361/hr	$309/hr	$249/hr	$249/hr
Year 6	$462/hr	$372/hr	$372/hr	$372/hr	$358/hr	$301/hr	$242/hr	$242/hr
Year 5	$458/hr	$359/hr	$369/hr	$369/hr	$355/hr	$293/hr	$236/hr	$236/hr
Year 4	$454/hr	$366/hr	$366/hr	$366/hr	$352/hr	$286/hr	$231/hr	$231/hr
Year 3	$451/hr	$363/hr	$363/hr	$363/hr	$349/hr	$280/hr	$225/hr	$225/hr
Year 2	$447/hr	$360/hr	$360/hr	$360/hr	$346/hr	$239/hr	$193/hr	$193/hr
Year 1	$443/hr	$358/hr	$358/hr	$358/hr	$344/hr	$125/hr	$125/hr	$125/hr
	B787 CAPT, B777 CAPT	A321 CAPT	A320 CAPT	B737 CAPT	A319 CAPT	B787 FO, B777 FO	A319 FO	A321 FO, A320 FO, B737 FO

Pay Notes

Aircraft	Monthly Line Guarantee	Monthly Reserve Guarantee
A319	75	72
A320	75	72
A321	75	72
B737	75	72
B777	75	72
B787	75	72

Benefits

American Airlines Benefits

Updated Jan 2, 2026

401k direct contribution of 18%, training and professional development opportunities, competitive life insurance, legal insurance, and comprehensive medical insurance (to include dental and optometry).

Fleet

American Airlines Current Fleet, Orders & Options

Updated Nov 5, 2025

A319	Current Fleet	132
A320	Current Fleet	48
A321	Current Fleet	307
B737	Current Fleet	390
B777	Current Fleet	67
B787	Current Fleet	70

Crew Bases

American Airlines Crew Bases

American Airlines has crew bases at:

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD)
General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (KBOS)
Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW)
LaGuardia Airport (KLGA)
Miami International Airport (KMIA)
Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX)

Contact Information

American Airlines Contact Information

Updated Nov 5, 2025

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Requirements to Participate In American Airlines Cadet Academy

Required prerequisites and minimum qualifications for participation in the American Airlines Cadet Academy and path to becoming a pilot for American Airlines:

Be legally eligible to work in the United States.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Be able to obtain a Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
Be able to obtain a valid passport with the ability to travel in and out of the United States.
Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Complete an Admissions Flight.
Pass a background check.

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Benefits of American Airlines Cadet Academy

Personalized support and mentorship from an American Airlines pilot.
Access to a lending product and a personalized Financial Wellness Program through American Airlines Credit Union, including a financial advocate, budgeting solutions, and other financial wellness tools.
Conditional Job Offer to an American Airlines wholly-owned regional partner and subsequent flow-through agreement to American Airlines.

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