Becoming a Pilot for United Airlines
United Airlines Logo

United Airlines Career Track™Become a United Pilot with ATP & AviateSM

Airlines are Hiring in 2026! Catch up on the latest industry news for airline pilot hiring announcements »

Airline recruiters are visiting ATP training centers and hiring graduates! Upcoming Visits »

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

As an Airline Career Pilot Program student, you can apply to join United Aviate – a secure path leading to potential employment as a United pilot. As an Aviate participant at ATP, you will take advantage of proven flight training and development as a leader, all while being provided with clear direction and support for achieving your end goal.

ATP graduate Hannah Hawks shares her journey to United Airlines.

Get Your Training & Career Plan »

How to Become a United Pilot

ATP
United Aviate Logo
United Express Logo
United Airlines Aviate Logo

At ATP, below are the steps to become a United pilot.

  1. Airline Career Pilot Program

    Enroll in ATP Flight School's Airline Career Pilot and apply to join United Aviate.

  2. Flight Instructor Job

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

  3. United Express® Pilot or Part 135 Operator Pilot

    Fly as an airline pilot for an Aviate participating UAX carrier or Part 135 operator.

  4. United Pilot

    Transition to United as a First Officer.

Get Your Training & Career Plan »

Discover Your Career Track™ to United AirlinesFrom ATP to United

Become an Airline Pilot Airline Career Pilot Program

Flight Training Info »

Learn to Become an Airline Pilot with ATP Flight School
United Aviate Logo

United Airlines Career Track™ How to Participate in Aviate

Your journey to becoming a United pilot starts at ATP Flight School. Here's how to go from zero experience to becoming a United First Officer.

Ready to Apply?

Current ATP students and instructors can get started by reviewing the United Aviate application checklist.

  1. Step 1

    Airline Career Pilot Program

    Start flight training in the Airline Career Pilot Program.

  2. Step 2

    Apply for United Aviate

    In six to nine months, you'll earn your Commercial Pilot Certificate and be eligible for United Aviate. Upon acceptance, you'll receive a conditional job offer as a United First Officer.

  3. Step 3

    Graduate with your Commercial & CFI Certificates

    Remain in good standing, and after nine months since starting the program, you'll graduate with your commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates.

  4. Step 4

    Build Experience as a Flight Instructor

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

  5. Step 5

    Fly for an Aviate participating United Express Carrier or Part 135 Operator

    Continue building invaluable flying experience within the Aviate network.

  6. Step 6

    Fly for United

    After 1,200 hours flying for an Aviate-participating United Express carrier or Part 135 operator as a Pilot In Command (PIC), you will be eligible to transition to United as a First Officer.

Get Your Training & Career Plan »

ATP's United Express Partners

To bridge the gap from ATP to United, you'll fly as an airline pilot with one of ATP's United Express airlines and as an ATP graduate, you can take advantage of recruiting events during your flight training. The sooner you join ATP, the quicker a transition from United Express to a United Airlines pilot.

Explore Other Career Tracks™ Get Your Training & Career Plan »
,

Requirements to Participate in United Aviate

Below are the requirements and pilot qualifications to apply to the United Aviate program through ATP.

  • Train in the Airline Career Pilot Program, and remain in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
  • Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating.

After applying, candidates will follow United’s screening and assessment process.

  • United will conduct an initial screening focused on the merits of the candidate and a review of employment records and the candidate’s history.
  • After passing the initial screenings, candidates are invited to interview at United’s Flight Training Center in Denver, where they will participate in a panel interview and Technical Readiness Review, followed by the Leadership Inventory and the “Becoming United” assessment.
  • Once the screening, interview, and assessments are complete, United’s Acceptance Board of Review will make a final decision on the candidate's application.

Before transitioning to United from a United Express career, it's preferred for pilots to hold a bachelor’s degree.

Get Your Training & Career Plan »

When You Apply for a Loan Take Your First Flight for FREE

Apply Today »
Quick 2 Minute App. Discover Your Options.

Piper Archer flying above clouds

Benefits of United Aviate

With United Aviate through ATP, you'll be on a streamlined path to future employment with United. Get the competitive edge with these advantages.

  • Clear direction and a tailored path to a career at United.
  • Expedited time at the regional airlines.
  • Travel privileges to hundreds of United destinations.
  • Structured coaching with a United pilot for leadership and career development.
  • Aviate pilot leadership program to become a future United Captain.
  • Development events and programs.
  • Interaction with senior leadership and United Captains
  • Site tours of United’s advanced and complex operational facilities.

Benefits Exclusive to ATP

  • Accelerated airline-oriented flight training through ATP.
  • Eligible to apply to United Aviate after earning your commercial pilot certificate.
  • Lifelong career support and mentorship through the ATP Alumni Association.

Get Your Training & Career Plan »

About United Fleet, Pay, Hiring, Crew Bases

United Airlines, Inc. (commonly referred to as United) is a major American airline headquartered at Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. United operates a large domestic and international route network spanning cities large and small across the United States and all six inhabited continents. Measured by fleet size and the number of routes, it is the third-largest airline in the world after its merger with Continental Airlines in 2010.

Latest News:

United plans to hire 900 pilots for the remainder of 2026, bringing them to a total of 1,500 pilots this year to account for record growth and retirements, with plans to hire close to 1,500 pilots in the years to come.

Source: OBAP Industry Briefing 2026

Updated Aug 17, 2026

Hiring
Payscale
Benefits
Fleet
Crew Bases
Contact Info
Hiring Information

United Hiring Information

Updated Oct 4, 2022

Accepting Resumes

Qualifications

  Minimum Competitive
Total Time 1500 2500
Last 6 Months: 0 100
Multi Time:
Certificate ATP ATP
CFIIME
ATP Written Yes Yes
Education
Age:  

Resume Submittal

https://pilothiring.united.com/s/

Payscale

United Payscale

Updated Jun 20, 2025

Year 12 $465/hr $465/hr $426/hr $389/hr $373/hr $317/hr $317/hr $265/hr $254/hr
Year 11 $461/hr $461/hr $385/hr $385/hr $370/hr $314/hr $314/hr $262/hr $252/hr
Year 10 $458/hr $458/hr $381/hr $381/hr $367/hr $307/hr $312/hr $259/hr $250/hr
Year 9 $454/hr $454/hr $377/hr $377/hr $364/hr $304/hr $307/hr $255/hr $247/hr
Year 8 $451/hr $451/hr $374/hr $374/hr $362/hr $307/hr $304/hr $252/hr $244/hr
Year 7 $447/hr $447/hr $371/hr $371/hr $359/hr $289/hr $297/hr $247/hr $238/hr
Year 6 $444/hr $444/hr $368/hr $368/hr $356/hr $297/hr $289/hr $240/hr $232/hr
Year 5 $440/hr $440/hr $365/hr $365/hr $353/hr $282/hr $282/hr $234/hr $226/hr
Year 4 $437/hr $437/hr $362/hr $362/hr $350/hr $275/hr $275/hr $228/hr $221/hr
Year 3 $433/hr $433/hr $359/hr $359/hr $348/hr $269/hr $269/hr $223/hr $216/hr
Year 2 $430/hr $430/hr $356/hr $356/hr $345/hr $230/hr $230/hr $190/hr $184/hr
Year 1 $247/hr $426/hr $353/hr $353/hr $342/hr $120/hr $120/hr $120/hr $120/hr
B777 CAPT A330 CAPT, B787 CAPT B767 CAPT B757 CAPT A320 CAPT, B737 CAPT, A319 CAPT B777 FO A330 FO, B787 FO B757 FO, B767 FO A320 FO, B737 FO, A319 FO
Pay Notes
Aircraft Aircraft Notes Monthly Line Guarantee Monthly Reserve Guarantee
B737   70 73
B757   70 73
A319   70 73
A320   70 73
B767   70 73
B777   70 73
B787   70 73
A321   70 73
Benefits

United Benefits

Updated Jun 20, 2025

Competitive compensation package with benefits including, but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, accident, and disability insurance, employee assistance, paid holidays, defined contribution plan, and travel privileges. Benefits and compensation are governed by the United Pilot Agreement between United and the Air Line Pilots Association.

Fleet

United Current Fleet, Orders & Options

Updated Sep 22, 2026

B737 Current Fleet 500
B757 Current Fleet 61
A319 Current Fleet 81
A320 Current Fleet 89
B767 Current Fleet 54
B777 Current Fleet 96
B787 Current Fleet 71
A321 Current Fleet 51
Crew Bases

United Crew Bases

United has crew bases at:

  • San Francisco International Airport (KSFO)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX)
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD)
  • Denver International Airport (KDEN)
  • Dulles International Airport (KIAD)
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR)
  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH)
  • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (KCLE)
  • Guam International Airport (PGUM)
  • Tampa International Airport (KTPA)

Contact Information

United Contact Information

Updated Nov 5, 2025

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.united.com/en/us
Address: 233 S. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
View More Airlines » Get Your Training & Career Plan »

United Pilot Hiring & Placements

ATP Flight School has the highest ratio of airline placements to students of any other college, university, or cadet academy, and has placed over 700 pilots with United Express airlines.

Adam Molinari

Adam Molinari

Airline Career Pilot Program Graduate

Hired October, 2026

Garrett Vest

Garrett Vest

Airline Career Pilot Program Graduate

Hired October, 2026

Brian Grieve

Brian Grieve

Airline Career Pilot Program Graduate

Hired October, 2026

John Kenny III

John Kenny III

Airline Career Pilot Program Graduate

Hired September, 2026

Bryce Runey

Bryce Runey

Airline Career Pilot Program Graduate

Hired September, 2026

Patrick Foster Jr

Patrick Foster Jr

Airline Career Pilot Program Graduate

Hired September, 2026

Airline Placements » Get Your Training & Career Plan »

I particularly enjoyed my sim instructors, Kareem [Kareem Omar- ATP Jets Simulator Instructor] and Sabine [Sabine Van der Maas- ATP Jets Simulator Instructor]. I learned quite a bit from both of them and they each seemed to really enjoy teaching. One of the best aviation experiences I've had so far! Read More »

Jeffrey Ross Mandel

ATP CTP (Includes VILT Ground Training)

Request More Information »

Swipe Up
to Get Your FREE Airline Pilot Career Guide
Airline Pilot Career Guide PDF
Get Your FREE Guide! »
Learn Hiring Outlook, Pay, Eligibility + Easy Step-by-Step Guide on Becoming a Pilot
Airline Pilot Career Guide PDF
Get the Complete Guide on How to Become a Pilot (PDF)
  • Career Outlook – current & future airline hiring
  • Pay – earning $100,000 to $400,000+ per year
  • Requirements – qualifications & eligibility
  • Step-by-Step Guide – how to become a pilot
Download Now