Like any market, the airline industry is in a constant state of flux experiencing highs and lows at varying intervals. These fluctuations in profits have had a pronounced impact on any given airline's pilot hiring status as well as the total hiring market across the industry. As of the time of this writing, the current state of the airline industry from a pilot's perspective is quite strange. To better understand the unique position airlines have found themselves in, we must first look back through recent history to see how the industry wound up in this unusual state.
A Look Back Through Time
During the 2008 financial crisis, many airline pilots were furloughed due to a lack of demand for air travel, which compounded many of the economic difficulties the airline industry was facing. Following these furloughs, the industry began to make a gradual return to its pre-2008 numbers. Eventually, the industry surpassed these numbers and continued to climb steadily into the late 2010s. This progress meant that there was an ever-growing need for new pilots. Simultaneously, many seasoned airline pilots began reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. The combination of these factors created a distinct increase in demand for new pilots. This elongated period of high demand is what we now know as a pilot shortage.
At the end of the last decade, things were looking up for current and aspiring pilots as pay and benefits were increasing across the industry as it was projected that the need for pilots would continue to grow. Then came a new decade, bringing unique challenges. With the implementation of lockdowns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw a rapid decline in demand for air travel while government agencies severely restricted airline passenger operations worldwide.
Thousands of airline pilots across the US were either furloughed or put on some sort of leave of absence, with many choosing to retire early. During this time, countless airline pilots were nearing mandatory retirement age. One of the tactics airlines employed to decrease their staffing numbers while limiting furloughs was to offer full retirement pay and benefits to those nearing retirement if they chose to retire early.
Throughout the pandemic, passenger air carriers managed to hold on with many barely being able to stay afloat financially. Eventually, travel restrictions were lifted and public paranoia eased leading to a resumption of air travel. When demand for air travel returned it returned in force with many airlines experiencing record-setting levels of customer traffic.
The sudden return of demand, coupled with a decreased number of pilots, led to the rebirth of the pilot shortage. From approximately 2022 to 2024, the industry saw record levels of pilot hiring and training as thousands of new pilots were hired to fill the gaps.
While major airlines hired thousands of new pilots post-pandemic, the airlines that have been hurt the most are the regional airlines. These smaller airlines are generally the first airline job for most pilots. After several years at a regional airline, pilots typically have enough experience to move on to a major airline. Not all pilots choose to move onto the majors, but historically, the majority have chosen to do so, creating a culture of high turnover at the regionals.
Despite being well accustomed to high turnover rates, the post-pandemic industry saw pilots leaving the regionals for the majors at a record-setting pace leading to a shortage of experienced pilots at the regionals.
Early 2025
We now come to the time of this writing and find the aviation industry in a bit of a strange place. To better understand the current state of the industry it is important to look at all sides of the industry.
Hiring at the Major Airlines
It is no small secret that hiring has slowed down significantly at the Major US Air Carriers with many even periodically halting pilot hiring. While this may seem concerning when viewed through the lens of the past few years, it is actually rather normal when one considers the history of airline hiring.
Before the pandemic, most airlines would hire in batches. They would typically run one or two hiring periods per year. Over the past few years, it was common for airlines to be hiring 24/7 with no end in sight. Because of this, there has been a notable amount of panic throughout the online community of aspiring pilots because the industry is no longer bending over backward for them. Rest assured, the hiring market at the majors is still healthy and the retirement age still stands, meaning that they will continuously need new pilots for the foreseeable future.
But why the slowdown? There are a few answers to this question. The first is that many of the majors have met their hiring goals for the first time since before the pandemic.
Another is that while demand for air travel continues to grow, aircraft manufacturers have fallen behind on order deliveries. Many people have been quick to point the finger at Boeing and its well-publicized delays. However, it is important to note that Airbus is also backlogged on delays, with delivery schedules reaching into the 2030s. Without enough planes to meet demand, it is difficult for airlines to also hire enough pilots to meet demand.
The last reason that is consistently found throughout the airline industry is a lack of instructors and training facilities. Regardless of how many new pilots an airline hires, it can only train pilots as quickly as its training facilities permit.
Regional Airlines
With a slowdown of hiring at the major airlines, we have seen a slowdown at the regional airlines for many of the same reasons. With major airlines recruiting fewer pilots, regionals have been better able to hang onto their more experienced pilots. They have also seen massive delays and backlogs in their training programs. Regardless, they are still recruiting more pilots, with most regionals actively hiring direct entry captains. First Officer positions are still available, but it should be noted that these are largely being filled by airline cadets.
Airline cadet programs offer aspiring pilots access to priority in the hiring process. Axiom Aviation is a top-tier partner with SkyWest Airlines. This partnership allows all students to be SkyWest cadets and awards them certain benefits. One of these benefits is a guaranteed interview with SkyWest. Over the past couple of years, this guarantee has not meant as much as most regional airlines were rapidly hiring qualified pilots. However, amid a slowdown, these guarantees can greatly increase one's chances of being hired by a particular airline and give them priority in the training process.
What About Cargo Airlines?
During the pandemic, cargo airlines saw a dramatic increase in demand with ecommerce reaching all-time highs. This brought about an increase in demand for cargo pilots. It should be noted that cargo air carriers such as UPS or FedEx have similar requirements to that of major airlines and pilot certificates work for either industry. The only difference is what is in the back of the plane.
The pandemic boosted air cargo operations to record highs, but pandemic recovery saw operational slowdowns. Throughout the past few years, cargo airlines have gradually limited pilot hiring. In early 2025, many air cargo operators are still hiring but at significantly slower rates than during the pandemic.
What About the Corporate Sector?
The corporate sector (private jets) of aviation is largely divided between Part 91 and Part 135 operators. Both of these segments saw a notable increase in business during the pandemic as commercial air travel became a less viable travel option. With the return of airline operations, demand has stayed relatively steady in the Corporate sector.
These operators are largely still hiring, but most of the available jobs are for direct entry captains as many experienced pilots have either retired or transitioned to the airlines as pay and benefits have increased significantly over the past few years. Another thing to note is that pilot hiring requirements have increased in the corporate sector largely due to increases in insurance requirements. Despite these challenges, many pilots are still choosing to take this route as it can offer a promising career.
Is Becoming a Pilot Still a Reasonable Goal in 2025?
The aviation industry still offers fantastic career options for pilots despite the current state of hiring. The industry is still expanding, pilots are still aging, and pilot careers are going nowhere anytime soon.
The pandemic and following years have had a significant impact on the aviation industry and, in doing so, have shown us a few things. Firstly, while it will fluctuate on a short-term basis, demand for pilots will always return and continuously grow stronger. Secondly, pilot cadet programs, such as the one Axiom has with SkyWest Airlines, are incredibly valuable, particularly during hiring troughs. Lastly, the industry is filled with possibilities and opportunities. Because of this, it is important when starting an aviation career to remain open and flexible to whatever new opportunities may come your way.
Have questions about airline hiring? Interested in learning more about flight school? Call us at (262)297-4568. Or email us at info@flyaxiom.com.
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