Delta Air Lines Cadet Pilot Program 2026
Programme details checked against Delta Air Lines official sources on .
Delta and its wholly owned regional Endeavor Air run Propel as one programme: a single interview leads to a Qualified Job Offer, contingent on completing every part of Propel. After reaching ATP minimums the pilot flies for Endeavor (including at least 24 months as a captain) before moving to Delta. Paths for collegiate and CFI candidates, affiliate-school students, scholarship nominees and Delta employees.
Cadet selection opens with an aptitude battery, and it removes more applicants than any interview.
Sit a timed practice paper free — no account. Scored on pace as well as accuracy, because pace is what the real battery culls on.
Where are you with Delta Air Lines?
Selection runs on its own timetable, and what helps depends entirely on where you are in it. Tell us, and what we send you matches that — nothing else.
| Programme | Delta Propel Pilot Career Path |
|---|---|
| Cost | Delta publishes no tuition figure (flight training is paid at your school) |
| Duration | Depends on the path; includes at least 24 months as an Endeavor captain |
| Sponsored | No — self-funded (financing usually available) |
| Country / Region | United States · North America |
| Hiring status | Active |
| Fleet after graduation | A220-100/300, A319/320/321, A330-200/300/900, A350-900 +5 more |
Program Overview
Program Name
Delta Propel Pilot Career Path
Description
Delta and its wholly owned regional Endeavor Air run Propel as one programme: a single interview leads to a Qualified Job Offer, contingent on completing every part of Propel. After reaching ATP minimums the pilot flies for Endeavor (including at least 24 months as a captain) before moving to Delta. Paths for collegiate and CFI candidates, affiliate-school students, scholarship nominees and Delta employees.
Fleet You Will Fly
Bases After Graduation
Entry Requirements
Certificates
FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument-Airplane, all aeronautical experience requirements for an ATP (Airplane) per 14 CFR 61.159, and a current ATP written exam
Total Flight Time
1,500 hours of documented total flight time
Turbine Time
1,000 hours fixed-wing turbine preferred, with a minimum of 500 turbine hours in a non-powered-lift airplane
PIC / SIC
Minimum 250 hours PIC or SIC as defined in 14 CFR 61.159(a)(5)
Multi-engine
Minimum 50 hours multi-engine airplane time
Age
At least 23 years old
Education
High school diploma or GED. A four-year degree is highly preferred but not required for First Officer candidates
Medical
Current FAA First Class medical certificate
Work authorisation
Legally authorised to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future
Documents
Passport or travel documents allowing free exit and re-entry to the US; FCC Radiotelephone Operator Permit; Yellow Fever vaccination card before indoctrination
How to Apply: Delta Air Lines Cadet Process
The Delta Air Lines selection pipeline mirrors the direct-entry pilot process but is more selective at the aptitude and behavioural stages. Here is the full step-by-step from application to first day of training.
- 1
Online application
RollingApply to an open Delta pilot position on the Delta pilot careers site (First Officer requisition open on 3 Oct 2026). Each application is reviewed by two members of the Application Review Team.
- 2
Online assessment
OnlineCompetitive candidates take the Aon online assessment, which tests personality and skill-based competencies.
- 3
Panel interview at Delta HQ
1 dayPanel interview in Atlanta plus the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2).
- 4
Psychologist interview
VirtualCandidates who pass the face-to-face interview do a virtual interview with a Delta psychologist. Passing everything leads to a Conditional Job Offer.
- 5
Pre-employment screening
VariesBackground, drug test and document checks before a class date.
- 6
Indoctrination and training
2 weeks indoc + type trainingTwo-week indoctrination, wing ceremony, then initial qualification training under the FAA Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) in full-motion simulators.
Assessment Stages: What They Test
1. Aon online assessment
Personality and skill-based competency tests taken online before any interview.
How to prepare
- ·Answer personality items consistently and honestly
- ·Do the timed sections rested and without interruptions
- ·It comes before any interview, so prepare for it like a test
2. Panel interview + MMPI-2
Face-to-face panel at Delta headquarters with the MMPI-2 personality inventory the same day.
How to prepare
- ·Prepare 8-10 real stories in STAR form (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- ·Know Delta's values and why you want Delta specifically
- ·Answer the MMPI-2 candidly; consistency matters more than impression
3. Psychologist interview
A virtual interview with a Delta psychologist for candidates who passed the panel.
How to prepare
- ·Expect follow-ups on your MMPI-2 answers
- ·Be specific about how you handle stress and conflict
Career Progression Timeline
Start cadet training
Begin ground school and initial flight training.
Complete training
Earn commercial license/type rating and join as First Officer.
Senior First Officer
Build experience, potentially start command training.
Captain upgrade
Command seat with significant salary increase.
Senior Captain / Management
Training captain, fleet manager, or management pilot roles.
Is It Worth It? ROI Analysis
Training Investment
Delta publishes no tuition figure (flight training is paid at your school)
Est. Year 1 Salary
$70,000
Payback Period
N/A
A career airline pilot typically earns $3M - $10M+ over a 30-year career, depending on the airline and rank achieved. Even with a significant upfront investment, the lifetime ROI is substantial.
Bottom line: The investment is significant but the guaranteed pathway to a major airline makes this one of the best career investments available.
Application Tips
Delta reviews every application twice; complete every field and keep logbook totals consistent
The Aon online assessment comes before any interview, so prepare for it like a test
A four-year degree is highly preferred, not required
Propel gives a Qualified Job Offer to selected collegiate, CFI and employee candidates
Meeting the entry requirements gets you into the process. What removes most candidates is the process itself.
Before a human reads your application there is an aptitude battery, and candidates consistently report it as the heaviest cull — pace, not difficulty. You can practise it here for free: timed papers generated fresh each run, plus a divided-attention drill that measures how much your performance degrades under load. And when you reach the interview, there are 100 Delta Air Lines-specific questions with model answers, the red flags that fail each one, and the follow-ups the panel actually asks.
Already past the paperwork and preparing for the panel? , scored against the answers a panel is listening for. Seven days of access, no subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Delta Air Lines cadet program cost?
How long is the Delta Air Lines cadet training?
Is the Delta Air Lines cadet program sponsored?
What are the entry requirements for Delta Air Lines cadet program?
What salary will I earn after the Delta Air Lines cadet program?
Is the Delta Air Lines cadet program worth it?
What is the acceptance rate for the Delta Air Lines cadet program?
For Cadet Candidates
All-5 Exam Bundle — 60-Day Cadet Prep
The Delta Air Lines cadet assessment tests Math, Physics, English fluency, and aviation theory. The All-5 Bundle covers every track: FAA Part 107, PPL theory, Instrument, EASA ATPL, and DGAC TAE 2.0 ICAO English. One payment, 60 days of access, all 5 question banks.
$39 once, no subscription. 60 days · all 5 exam tracks · 4,000+ questions · AI tutor.
Already past the cadet stage? Read the full Delta Air Lines recruitment guide.
Related Cadet Resources
15 Airline Cadet Programs Worldwide
Hub guide
Compare every cadet programme side by side: cost, funding, age limits, requirements.
2026 Cadet Programmes — Open Now
Live application index
Every cadet seat currently accepting applications, ranked by deadline.
Lufthansa Cadet Program — Deep Guide
Long-form case study
A real candidate walkthrough: timeline, costs, what the EFA actually tests, financing.
Airline Pilot Interview Guide
Assessment prep
200+ questions, HR scenarios, sim assessment drills used at every cadet selection.
How to Get Hired at Delta Air Lines
Direct-entry route
If the cadet route isn't for you, here is the full direct-entry hiring playbook for Delta Air Lines.
Other Cadet Programmes
United Airlines
United Aviate Academy
$99,000 tuition; $123,675 total programme cost from zero hours (2027 figures)
American Airlines
American Airlines regional cadet programmes (Envoy, PSA, Piedmont)
Training is paid at your school; bonuses vary by programme
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Destination 225°
Not published by Southwest
SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest Pilot Pathway
Tuition reimbursement up to $25,000
Republic Airways
LIFT Academy
$89,500 (financing available)
Envoy Air
Envoy Cadet Program
$0 (flow-through program)
More on Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines Pilot Recruitment 2026
Application process, requirements, assessment, interview questions.
Delta Air Lines Pilot Salary 2026
First Officer & Captain pay scales, benefits, hours required.
Delta Air Lines Career Hub
Full career guide: routes, fleet, bases, training pipeline.
All Airlines Directory
Browse every airline we cover — hiring, pay, and cadet programmes.