Become A Pilot Your Airline Pilot Career Guide

Fast answers to most of your top airline pilot career questions.

A career as an airline pilot is exciting and there are multiple steps in the process. Explore ATP's Airline Pilot Career Guide for information about pilot licenses, salary information from first-year wages to which major airline has the shortest upgrade times to the highest pay scale. Whether you are just starting your career as an airline pilot or are already in flight training, use this guide to make your career path an enjoyable experience.

Request More Information »

ATP Ride Report: Join Us Fridays for Airline Career & Industry Webinars »

Pilot Career Guide Categories From Flight Training to an Airline Pilot Career

Select a Category…

Airline Career Information

COVID-19 and the Airline Industry

Airline Pilot Requirements

How to Become a Pilot

How Long to Become a Commercial Airline Pilot

How Long to Become a Pilot

Commercial Pilot Salary

Commercial Pilot License

Pilot Hiring Outlook

Regional Airline Pilot Pay

Airline Seniority Explained

Advantages of Airline Partnerships

Do you Need a Degree to be an Airline Pilot?

Flight Training Articles

COVID-19 and the Airline Industry

Airline Pilot Requirements

You can become an airline pilot. Here is everything you need to know about becoming a commercial pilot starting with no previous experience.

The steps required to become a commercial pilot »

Commercial Pilot Hiring & Salary

Flying for the airlines has always been one of the most desirable careers available, and now the airline industry is making the career more attractive and attainable. Explore aviation as a career choice and you will see that the return-on-investment is the best of any career available today.

Pilot Hiring Outlook

Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer, all leading aircraft manufactures, project increasing (even doubling) their commercial jet fleets to account for the record number of passengers flying worldwide. These demands cause airline pilot shortage to be an ongoing issue for airlines.

Pilot Hiring Outlook »

Regional Airline Pilot Pay

The shortage of pilots qualified to fly for the airlines is causing regional airlines to offer signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and other incentives. Compare the effective first-year pay at each regional airline, upgrade time from first-officer to captain, and how much you will earn.

Regional Airline Pilot Pay »

Commercial Pilot Salary

Airlines have been raising wages and improving workplace rules that allow for a much-improved quality of life for pilots. Commerical pilot earnings potential can vary considerably depending on seniority, aircraft and airline, but generally speaking, the bigger the aircraft and the further you go, the greater the pay.

Commercial Pilot Salary »

Request More Information »

Seniority is EverythingGet There First with ATP

Airlines operate on a seniority-based system, where seniority is everything as an airline pilot. Your airline seniority as pilot determines not only your schedule, routes, vacations, location and which aircraft you fly, but also how soon you upgrade from first officer to captain, affecting how much you will earn and when you can move up to a major airline.

Airline Seniority Explained » Request More Information »

You Can Become an Airline Pilot Airline Career Pilot Program

Learn More »

Still Have Questions?Real Answers from Real Pilots

Join the conversation on AirlinePilot.life, the online community where you can ask actual airline pilots all of your flight training and airline career questions.

Ask your questions now! »