Airline Pilot Recruitment — Which Airlines Are Hiring Pilots in 2026?

Browse recruitment guides for 55 airlines worldwide. 50 airlines are currently actively hiring pilots. 25 offer cadet programs for aspiring pilots with no experience.

55

Airlines

50

Actively Hiring

25

Cadet Programs

5

Regions

North America

Delta Air Lines

HIRING

United States

A220-100/300A319/320/321A330-200/300/900+6 more

Cadet program available

United Airlines

HIRING

United States

A319/320/321B737-700/800/900/MAXB757-200/300+3 more

Cadet program available

American Airlines

HIRING

United States

A319/320/321A321neo/XLRB737-800/MAX+2 more

Cadet program available

Southwest Airlines

HIRING

United States

B737-700B737-800B737 MAX 7/8

SkyWest Airlines

HIRING

United States

CRJ-200CRJ-700CRJ-900+1 more

Cadet program available

Republic Airways

HIRING

United States

ERJ-170ERJ-175

Cadet program available

Envoy Air

HIRING

United States

ERJ-145ERJ-175

Cadet program available

PSA Airlines

HIRING

United States

CRJ-700CRJ-900

Endeavor Air

HIRING

United States

CRJ-200CRJ-900

Mesa Airlines

HIRING

United States

CRJ-900ERJ-175

Horizon Air

HIRING

United States

ERJ-175

Cadet program available

JetBlue Airways

HIRING

United States

A220-300A320-200A321-200/neo/LR

Cadet program available

Alaska Airlines

HIRING

United States

B737-800/900/MAXA320neo/A321neoERJ-175

Spirit Airlines

PAUSED

United States

A320-200A320neoA321-200

Frontier Airlines

HIRING

United States

A320neoA321neo

Hawaiian Airlines

HIRING

United States

A321neoB787-9

Allegiant Air

HIRING

United States

A319A320

Sun Country Airlines

HIRING

United States

B737-800

FedEx Express

HIRING

United States

A300-600FB757-200FB767-300F+2 more

UPS Airlines

HIRING

United States

A300-600FB747-400FB757-200F+3 more

Atlas Air

HIRING

United States

B747-400FB767-200/300FB777-200LRF

Air Canada

HIRING

Canada

A220-300A319/320/321A330-300+4 more

Cadet program available

WestJet

HIRING

Canada

B737-600/700/800/MAXB767-300B787-9

Europe

Ryanair

HIRING

Ireland

B737-800B737 MAX 8-200

Cadet program available

easyJet

HIRING

United Kingdom

A319A320-200/neoA321neo

Cadet program available

Wizz Air

HIRING

Hungary

A320-200A320neoA321neo

Cadet program available

Lufthansa

HIRING

Germany

A319/320/321A330-300A340-300/600+4 more

Cadet program available

British Airways

HIRING

United Kingdom

A319/320/321neoA350-1000A380-800+2 more

Cadet program available

Air France

HIRING

France

A318/319/320/321A330-200A350-900+2 more

Cadet program available

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

HIRING

Netherlands

B737-700/800/900A330-200/300B777-200/300+1 more

Cadet program available

Turkish Airlines

HIRING

Turkey

A319/320/321A330-200/300A350-900+3 more

Cadet program available

Iberia

SEASONAL

Spain

A319/320/321A330-200A350-900

Norwegian Air Shuttle

HIRING

Norway

B737-800B737 MAX 8

Swiss International Air Lines

HIRING

Switzerland

A220-100/300A320/321A330-300+2 more

SAS Scandinavian Airlines

HIRING

Sweden/Denmark/Norway

A319/320/321neoA330-300A350-900

Aer Lingus

HIRING

Ireland

A320-200/neoA321neo/LRA330-300

Finnair

HIRING

Finland

A319/320/321A330-300A350-900

TAP Air Portugal

HIRING

Portugal

A320/321neoA330-900neo

Middle East

Emirates

HIRING

United Arab Emirates

A380-800B777-200LRB777-300ER+1 more

Cadet program available

Qatar Airways

HIRING

Qatar

A320/321A330-200/300A350-900/1000+4 more

Cadet program available

Etihad Airways

HIRING

United Arab Emirates

A321neoA350-1000B777-200/300+1 more

Cadet program available

Saudia

UPCOMING

Saudi Arabia

A320/321neoA330-300B777-300ER+1 more

flydubai

HIRING

United Arab Emirates

B737-800B737 MAX 8/9

Asia-Pacific

Singapore Airlines

HIRING

Singapore

A350-900A380-800B737-800/MAX+2 more

Cadet program available

Cathay Pacific

HIRING

Hong Kong

A321neoA330-300A350-900/1000+2 more

Cadet program available

Qantas Airways

HIRING

Australia

A330-200/300A380-800B737-800+1 more

Cadet program available

All Nippon Airways

SEASONAL

Japan

A320/321neoA380-800B737-800+3 more

Japan Airlines

SEASONAL

Japan

A350-900/1000B737-800B767-300+2 more

Korean Air

HIRING

South Korea

A220-300A321neoA330-200/300+5 more

AirAsia

HIRING

Malaysia

A320-200/neoA321neo

Cadet program available

IndiGo

HIRING

India

A320-200/neoA321neo

Cadet program available

Latin America

LATAM Airlines

HIRING

Chile

A319/320/321neoB767-300B777-300ER+1 more

Avianca

HIRING

Colombia

A319/320/321neoA330-200B787-8

Copa Airlines

HIRING

Panama

B737-800B737 MAX 9

Aeromexico

HIRING

Mexico

B737 MAX 8/9B787-8/9E190

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical airline pilot recruitment process?
Most airlines follow a similar process: 1) Online application with certificates and logbook, 2) Aptitude and psychometric testing (cognitive, multi-tasking, personality), 3) Simulator assessment (hand-flying, instrument procedures, CRM), 4) Panel or HR interview (behavioral, technical, motivational), 5) Medical examination and background check. The process typically takes 2-6 months from application to start date.
Can I become an airline pilot with no experience?
Yes, through cadet or ab-initio pilot programmes. Airlines like Emirates, Lufthansa, British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, and others offer structured training pathways that take you from zero flight hours to First Officer. Some are fully sponsored while others are self-funded (costing EUR 80,000-120,000).
How do I prepare for airline pilot aptitude tests?
Practice with dedicated pilot aptitude test preparation tools (COMPASS, PILAPT, ADAPT). Focus on mental math, multi-tasking, spatial awareness, and instrument comprehension. Most candidates prepare for 2-4 weeks before their assessment. Getting adequate rest before test day is crucial.

Prepare for your airline assessment

Practice aptitude tests, study ATPL theory, and prepare for competency-based interviews.

Start PreparingFree Practice Quiz