How to Become an Airline Pilot Steps and Requirements for Becoming an Airline Pilot in 2026
To become an airline pilot in the United States, you complete FAA flight training through Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, and typically a Flight Instructor certificate, then build flight experience to the 1,500-hour Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) minimum. Most airline first officer jobs also require age 21 and an FAA First Class medical. A college degree is generally not required.
Starting with no previous experience, a common path takes about 2½ years —about nine months of structured training, then additional flight time toward airline hiring minimums. For the first FAA certificates on that path, see how to become a pilot. When comparing airline pilot schools, match each school’s program to this pathway—certificates, ratings, time-building, and airline hiring support.
Airline Pilot Career Requirements at a Glance
| Degree | Varies by airline; generally not required |
|---|---|
| Certification | Commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine airplane privileges and instrument rating; FCC radio license |
| Experience | 1,500 flight hours meeting Airline Transport Pilot certificate requirements |
| Age | 21 years old for most airline hiring and the ATP certificate |
Steps to Become an Airline Pilot
Becoming an airline pilot is a structured process. You start with a private pilot certificate, add an instrument rating, earn a commercial certificate and multi-engine privileges, then typically instruct to build the flight hours airlines require. The steps below walk through that path from zero experience to an airline first officer job.
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Step 1
1. Earn Private Pilot Certificate
The first step in becoming a commercial pilot is to earn a Private Pilot certificate, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Starting in a single-engine airplane, this stage of training focuses on the fundamentals and sets the foundation for more advanced certificates and ratings.
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Step 2
2. Add Instrument Rating
After becoming a private pilot, the next step is to earn an instrument rating which allows a pilot to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and in all kinds of weather.
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Step 3
3. Earn Commercial Pilot Certificate
Next is earning a Commercial Pilot certificate. Pilots must meet specific experience requirements and fly to a higher standard in order to become commercial pilots, which ultimately allows them to legally be paid to fly.
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Step 4
4. Earn Flight Instructor Certificate
Once the commercial pilot requirements are satisfied, obtain a Flight Instructor certificate. Becoming a certificated flight instructor (CFI) allows pilots to earn a living flying, while they earn the flight experience required by the airlines.
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Step 5
5. Add Multi-Engine Rating
To fly large passenger airliners, pilots must add multi-engine privileges to their pilot commercial certificate. Adding a multi-engine rating to the Commercial Pilot certificate is the final step before building experience to meet hiring minimums.
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Step 6
6. Gain Experience & Interview
Flight instruct to gain the type of quality and relevant flight experience necessary to meet the requirements of the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which commercial pilots are required to hold and includes a minimum of 1,500 hours total flight time.
Between 500 and 1,500 hours of total flight time, interview with your desired airline for the position of First Officer. Airlines typically conduct both a technical interview and an HR interview. Upon successful completion, you will receive a conditional offer of employment.
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Step 7
7. Commercial Pilot Job
Upon meeting the requirements of the Airline Transport Pilot certificate, you are eligible to fly as an airline pilot and will meet the hiring minimums of most regional commercial airline pilot jobs. ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program can take you from zero time to airline pilot job in 2½ years . View the training timeline »
If your career goal is to get a job flying for American Airlines, learn about how to participate in the cadet program and become a pilot for American Airlines. While the typical career progression is to first fly for a regional airline, then advance to a major airline, direct programs allow you to go straight to select major airlines at 1,500 hours. These programs include the Frontier Pilot Cadet Program, and more.
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