Commerical pilot job requirements to fly an American Eagle ERJ

How to Become an Airline Pilot

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

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Step-by-Step Guide What are the steps required to become a commercial pilot?

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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 . 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, Spirit Direct Program, and more.

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Airline Pilot?

Starting with zero experience, it takes to become an airline pilot. It will take you to complete pilot training, then another 18 months to gain additional flight time and meet airline hiring requirements of 1,500 hours.

How Long to Become an Airline Pilot »

Student pilot meets and shakes hands with airline pilot.

How Much to Become an Airline Pilot?

It costs $ to become an airline pilot when starting with no previous experience. This is a total fixed-cost for training materials, flight hours, and instruction to earn your commercial and flight instructor certificates. Full financing is available and some airlines are even offering tuition reimbursement.

How Much to Become an Airline Pilot »

Flight simulator used in airline pilot training.

Can You Become an Airline Pilot Without a Degree?

Yes, you can become an airline pilot without a degree. Airlines are facing a shortage of pilots and no longer require pilots to have a four-year degree. While a degree may help set you apart from similar qualified pilots, airlines have no preference on field of study.

College Requirements for Airline Pilots »

Students during flight lesson training to become airline pilots.

How Much Do Commercial Airline Pilots Make?

Established airline pilots are paid very well, with the annual earnings of senior captains around $, some pilots can expect a ten million dollar career in total earnings.

Commercial Airline Pilot Salary Info »

Jack Baker - Frontier Pilot, ATP Graduate

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Complete Guide on How to Become a Pilot (PDF)

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How to Become a Pilot

View Basic Steps for How to Become a Pilot.

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How to Become an Airline Pilot ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program Explained

How to Become a Commercial Airline Pilot

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Commercial Pilot Requirements Frequently asked questions about how to get a job as an airline pilot.

At a Glance Airline Pilot Career Requirements

Degree Varies by airline, generally not required
Degree Field Degrees can be in any field of study, not just aviation
Certification
  • Commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine airplane privileges and instrument rating
  • FCC radio license
Experience 1,500 flight hours, meeting requirements for the Airline Transport Pilot certificate
Age 21 years old

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Education Am I required to get an aviation degree or go to an aviation college to become a commercial pilot?

Currently, regional and major airlines are suffering from a considerable shortfall of qualified pilots and have dropped the bachelor’s degree requirements. If you opt to pursue a college degree, it can be in any field of study, not just aviation. Online degree programs are also an option for you to complete your bachelors degree while flying as a professional pilot. FAA pilot certificates obtained thru ATP’s flight training are accepted for transfer credit by many colleges with aviation degree programs.

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Vision Do I have to have perfect vision to be a commercial pilot?

No, as long as your vision can be corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contacts, you are eligible for an FAA First-Class Medical Certificate, which makes you eligible to fly as a civilian professional pilot. This is much less restrictive than military pilot vision requirements.

What if I’m Colorblind?

An FAA Medical can be obtained by some people with colorblindness. The restrictions will depend on the degree of colorblindness. The FAA has several mechanisms for making this determination. Consult an Aero Medical Examiner (AME) for more information. Some airlines have their own restrictions more stringent than the FAA’s.

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There are additional vision and health restrictions that apply, as well as waivers, so it is best to consult an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner about your specific situation.

Background Check What are the background check requirements for a commercial pilot?

Some airlines perform FBI 10-year background checks, driving record checks, drug tests and credit checks as part of their standard pre-employment process. You cannot have any felonies on your record. DUI’s and misdemeanors are handled at the discretion of the airline, but a significant amount of time must have passed since those events to even be considered for airline pilot employment. Random drug tests are performed throughout employment.

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Credit Is it important to have good credit?

Yes, for a couple of reasons:

First, the cost of flight school is relatively expensive and most students will need to finance some, if not all, of the flight training cost. While it’s important that you have good credit for the loan, it’s equally important that you find a cosigner who has excellent credit. The cost of financing is directly related to your credit history. In order to keep loan rates as low as possible, it is very important to have a solid credit history. It is equally important to have a credit worthy cosigner on the application.

Second, the airlines will perform a credit check as a standard step in their background check process. An unblemished credit history will make the best impression with the airline.

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Age Am I too young/old to begin flight training to become a commercial airline pilot?

You can hold a commercial pilot certificate as young as 18 years old, but most airlines require applicants be at least 21 years old, which is a prerequisite for the Airline Transport Pilot certificate. As for being too old, it’s important to realize what your training investment will be and how long you can fly before reaching mandatory retirement at age 65. If you want to become a career pilot, look at how many years’ earnings you’ll have before retirement and ensure that it’s a worthwhile investment.

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Pilot Pathway Programs Defined Career and Pilot Training Paths

Pilot pathway programs help develop and mentor student pilots during flight school and as they work toward meeting airline pilot experience and flight hour requirements. Once you have decided what airline you would like to fly for, you typically then participate in the airline's pathway program or the pathway program of their regional airline. These programs vary by airline and include United Aviate, SkyWest Airlines Pilot Pathway Program (path to Delta Air Lines), Envoy Air Cadet Program (path to American Airlines), and more.

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Airline Pilot Seniority Airlines Operate on a Seniority-Based System

Airlines use a seniority-based system to determine what aircraft a pilot will fly, what routes and schedules pilots will be assigned, how much money a pilot will earn, and which crew base they will be awarded. The earlier a pilot is hired, the more seniority they will have, affecting their quality of life, career earnings, and upgrade from first officer to airline captain.

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Related FAQs Pilot Career Guide

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