Airline Hiring Minimums for 2026

The FAA has minimum requirements all pilots must comply with before working for an airline, but airlines themselves also have their own hiring requirements. To work for an airline, the FAA requires all commercial pilots to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. This shows that pilots have obtained all previous licenses and ratings, including a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and instrument ratings. In addition, pilots need to have completed a minimum of 1,500 flight hours. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Students who complete an approved college degree program are eligible for the Restricted ATP certificate, lowering requirements to 1,000 flight hours. Students who flew in the military are able to hold this R-ATP at just 750 Hours (with specific criteria satisfied).

The airlines below build on the FAA-mandated minimums with their own additional requirements. 

Delta Airlines

American Airlines

American Airlines accepts applications from experienced pilots, as well as its regional partners: Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, and PSA Airlines. The hiring process consists of an application review from the hiring team, a virtual interview, and an in-person interview in Fort Worth, Texas before receiving a conditional job offer (CJO). 

According to the American Airlines pilot jobs page, pilots applying to be a first officer must meet the following minimum requirements in addition to the FAA requirements:

• Obtain a valid FAA First Class Medical Certificate
• FCC Radiotelephone Operator’s Permit
• Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge eligibility

American Airlines does not require a college degree, but it could help candidates win job positions that are more competitive. 

Southwest Airlines

As of May 2026, Southwest Airlines is currently accepting applications for first officer job positions on their pilot career page. The application process for Southwest Airlines consists of completing an online application, creating a Flight Hours grid to list flight experience by aircraft, and a review of your application and additional information from the Southwest Pilot Hiring Team. 

In addition to the FAA minimums, Southwest requires the following minimum qualifications:

• Airplane Multiengine Land category and class ratings
• An FAA First Class Medical Certificate

While not required, Southwest prefers pilots to have had 500 hours in a fixed-wing turbine aircraft or successful completion of all aspects of a Destination 225° pathway program. Southwest also prefers pilots who have been actively flying over the last 2 years. 

United Airlines

United Airlines is another airline actively hiring first officers to pilot their aircrafts in 2026. According to the United Airlines First Officer career page, pilots applying for a job position with their airline must meet the following minimum requirements in addition to the FAA minimums:

• An FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
• FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR)
• A high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Legal right to work in the United States without sponsorship

While a bachelor’s degree is not required, United Airlines prefers it when hiring first officers. In addition, they prefer 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time and 100 minimum hours of flight time within the last 12 months.  

JetBlue Airlines

JetBlue offers first officer pilot jobs in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Los Angeles, and Orlando, depending on availability of job positions. At a minimum, Jetblue requires the following in addition to FAA minimums:

• 500 hours in fixed-wing aircraft
• A current U.S. passport or U.S. permanent residence card, with a minimum of six months’ validity remaining at the time of application
• Three reference letters from pilots who can personally attest to the candidate’s flying skills and capabilities 
• An FAA First Class Medical Certificate

Pilots who want to work for JetBlue but do not meet their hiring minimums still have the opportunity to apply through one of JetBlue’s Gateway pathways. 

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines hires pilots to work at their 13 base locations spread across the U.S., including Atlanta. In addition to FAA minimums, the FAA careers page notes the following requirements:

• A current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
• FCC Restricted Radio Operator’s Permit
• Be at least 20 years of age at the time of application
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• A valid passport with at least 13 months of validity

While not required, Frontier prefers pilots with 750 hours of multi-engine fixed wing experience, 500 hours as PIC, 500 hours of jet/turbo-prop experience, and 2,500 total flight hours. 

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines hires pilots through their Pilot Pathways Program and through direct external applications. In addition to FAA minimums, Alaska Airlines’ career page notes the following requirements:

• A minimum of 50 hours of flight time within the last 12 months
• Be a minimum of 23 years of age
• Obtain a high school diploma or GED equivalent

While not required, Alaska Airlines prefers pilots who have a four-year college degree in addition to a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They must also be comfortable living near one of their bases in Seattle, Los Angeles, Anchorage, Portland, or San Francisco. 

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines accepts pilot applications directly through their website and are actively hiring pilots in 2026. In addition to FAA minimums, Sun Country Airlines requires pilots to meet the following minimum requirements:

• R-ATP qualifying paths available via aviation bachelor’s degree (1,000 hours), aviation associate degree (1,250 hours), or military service
• Hold a valid U.S. passport or a valid passport with a green card to live in the U.S.
• Obtain a high school diploma or FED equivalent
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Sun Country Airlines prefers pilots with a bachelor’s degree, though it is not strictly required. 

Denver Air Connection

Denver Air Connection is a smaller airline than the others on the list. Pilot jobs can be found on the Denver Air careers page. In addition to FAA minimums, first officers must have:

• A current FAA Second Class Medical Certificate
• 350 hours total flight time as SIC

Those who are applying as captains must have 5,000 total flight hours to fly ERJ-145 or Dornier 328 Jet. Unlike other airlines, Denver Air does not have a specific job application portal on their website. They use thirty-party hiring sites like JS Firm. However, those who want to apply can still find information on their careers page. 

Avelo Airlines

Avelo Airlines operates out of five airports across the U.S., including Atlanta, Georgia. The hiring process consists of submitting an application or uploading profile information to apply for one of the pilot jobs they have available. 

In addition to the FAA minimums, Avelo Airlines requires pilots to have:

• Multi-engine class rating or Military R-ATP
• An FAA First Class Medical Certificate
• U.S. citizenship with a valid U.S. passport 
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License

In lieu of the typical 1,500 hours required to work as a commercial pilot for an airline, Avelo also alternatively accepts 1,000 hours with an aviation bachelor’s degree from a Part 141 program or 1,250 hours with an aviation associate’s degree from a part 141 program. While not required, Avelo Airlines prefers pilots with experience flying Boeing with a B737 type rating. 

Prepare for an Aviation Career Before Completing Flight School 

Flight school is the first step towards working for your dream airline as a pilot. Superior Flight School prepares its students for a pilot career through both the Part 61 and Part 141 programs. Students who want to take advantage of the airlines who are hiring sooner than later, the accelerated program is a fast track way to getting ahead in a competitive industry.