Horizon Air Pilot Recruitment Process 2026
Everything you need to know about the Horizon Air pilot hiring process, from application to final assessment. Updated 2026-08-22.
Horizon Air screens with an aptitude battery before a human reads your application.
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 Horizon Air?
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.
| Hiring status | Active— applications open |
|---|---|
| Country / Region | United States · North America |
| Bases | 4 bases · SEA, PDX, BOI, GEG |
| Fleet types | ERJ-175 |
| Contract type | Permanent with Alaska Airlines flow-through |
| Type ratings accepted | ERJ-175 |
| Assessment stages | 3 stages · 3-step pipeline |
How to Apply: Horizon Air Pilot Application Process
The Horizon Air pilot selection pipeline runs 3 steps from initial application through to first day of training. Here is exactly what to expect at each stage.
- 1
Online Application
1 weekApply through Alaska Air Group pilot portal.
- 2
Interview
1 dayPanel interview in Seattle.
- 3
Training
6-8 weeksE-175 type rating.
Assessment Stages: What Horizon Air Tests
1. Online Application & Screening
Initial review of qualifications, flight hours, certificates, and background.
Preparation Tips
- Ensure logbook is accurate and up to date
- Have all certificates scanned and ready
- Tailor your CV to airline operations
2. Aptitude & Psychometric Testing
Computer-based tests measuring cognitive ability, multi-tasking, spatial awareness, and personality traits.
Preparation Tips
- Practice with COMPASS or PILAPT test preparation
- Work on mental math speed
- Get adequate sleep before test day
3. Simulator Assessment
Fixed-base or full-motion simulator session evaluating hand-flying, instrument skills, and multi-crew coordination.
Preparation Tips
- Practice raw-data instrument approaches
- Brief out loud as you would with a real crew
- Manage workload verbally
Horizon Air Pilot Interview Questions
Recent Horizon Air pilot candidates report these questions appearing in their panel and HR interviews. Use STAR-format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses and have 8-10 aviation anecdotes ready.
- Q1
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a crew member and how you resolved it.
- Q2
Describe a situation where you made a critical decision under time pressure.
- Q3
Why do you want to fly for this airline specifically?
- Q4
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for safety.
- Q5
How do you handle fatigue management during long duty periods?
Minimum Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total time | 1,500 hours, or R-ATP qualified |
| Cross-country | 500 hours — or 200 if R-ATP or military qualified |
| Night | 100 hours |
| Pilot in command | 250 hours total, including 100 hours cross-country and 25 hours night |
| Instrument | 75 hours in actual or simulated instrument conditions |
| Multi-engine | 25 hours required; 100 preferred |
| Certificates | FAA Commercial Pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings, a current First Class medical, an FCC restricted radiotelephone operator permit and a valid passport |
| Age | 21 minimum |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent; a four-year degree is preferred, not required |
| Base | Must accept an assignment in Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Boise or Medford according to company need |
| Experienced First Officer route | Horizon is hiring Experienced First Officers with at least 200 hours of FAA-approved Prior Qualifying Time to serve as PIC in Part 121 operations under 14 CFR §121.436(a)(3), and credits previous Part 121 service towards longevity pay. |
Fleet You Could Fly at Horizon Air
1 aircraft types currently operated
Type ratings accepted at application
Holding one of these ratings can accelerate the hiring pipeline.
Horizon Air Pilot Bases (4)
Available pilot bases — bid by seniority
Cadet Program (No Experience Required)
Horizon Air Pilot Development Program
Pathway from partner flight schools to Horizon Air FO with flow to Alaska Airlines mainline.
Read full cadet program guide →
Insider Tips for Horizon Air Applicants
Alaska Air Group wholly-owned with flow-through to Alaska Airlines mainline
Pacific Northwest bases with great quality of life
Rapid captain upgrade
Knowing the Horizon Air process is step one. Being ready for the stages that actually cut people is step two.
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.
No Horizon Air pack yet — want it built?
We will not pretend to have one. We build the next pack for the airline that gets asked for most, so leaving your address here is a vote. No sequence, one email when it ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Horizon Air hiring pilots in 2026?
What are the minimum requirements to fly for Horizon Air?
What is the Horizon Air pilot interview process like?
What aircraft types does Horizon Air operate?
Where are Horizon Air pilot bases located?
What type ratings does Horizon Air accept?
Does Horizon Air have a cadet pilot program?
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Related Pilot Career Resources
Horizon Air Cadet Program
Tuition reimbursement up to $30,000
No-experience route into Horizon Air: training, requirements, and selection.
Airline Pilot Interview Guide
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HR scenarios, sim assessment drills, and the question banks used at every major airline.
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