Aviator Intelligence Career Insider - 4th Edition

Dustin Benker

20d • Newsletters

📰 INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

HIRING UPDATES

📈 DELTA AIR LINES

Currently interviewing: 100-150 pilots/month
2026 projected hiring: 1,000+ pilots
Applications: OPEN
Timeline: 4-8 weeks from application to interview invitation
Strategy: Apply now for Q2 2026 class dates

📈 UNITED AIRLINES

Currently interviewing: 200+ pilots/month
2026 projected hiring: 2,500 pilots
Applications: OPEN (continuous flow)
Timeline: 6-12 weeks from application to CJO
Strategy: Strong military and regional flow candidates moving quickly

📈 AMERICAN AIRLINES

Currently interviewing: 125-175 pilots/month
2026 projected hiring: ~2,000 pilots
Applications: OPEN
Preference: Envoy, Piedmont, PSA flow candidates prioritized
Timeline: 8-12 weeks application to class date

📈 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Currently interviewing: 75-100 pilots/month
2026 projected hiring: 850+ pilots
Applications: Application window currently closed
Timeline: Slower process, 12-16 weeks typical
Strategy: Internal recommendations carry significant weight

📈 ALASKA AIRLINES

Currently interviewing: 90+ thru first quarter ‘26
2026 projected hiring: Nothing projected beyond first quarter ‘26
Applications: OPEN
Timeline: 6-8 weeks
Strategy: West coast domiciles, strong culture focus

REGIONAL CARRIERS - RECORD BONUSES

💰 SKYWEST

Signing bonus: $7,500 for previously typed new pilots
First year pay: $90K+
Guaranteed interviews at Delta, United (partnership)
Bases: All major hubs

💰 ENDEAVOR AIR (Delta Connection)

Signing bonus: Up to $40,000 depending on experience
First year pay: $110K
Flow to Delta: 24 months (guaranteed)
Bases: MSP, DTW, NYC

💰 ENVOY (American Connection)

Signing bonus: Up to $15,000
First year pay: $85K
Flow to American: 24-36 months
Bases: DFW, ORD, MIA

💰 PIEDMONT (American Connection)

Signing bonus: Up to $100,000 for direct entry captains with experience
First year pay: $80K
Flow to American: 24 months (fastest flow)
Bases: PHL, CLT

CARGO UPDATES

📦 FEDEX

Hiring: PAUSED (overstaffed from 2022-2023 hiring wave)
Next anticipated opening: Late 2026/Early 2027
Strategy: Network now, be ready when they open

📦 UPS

Hiring: LIMITED (50-75 pilots for 2026)
Applications: By invitation only
Focus: Internal cargo and military candidates

📦 ATLAS/KALITTA

Hiring: ACTIVE
Requirements: ATP, turbine PIC preferred
Timeline: 30-60 days from application to class

FLEET & ROUTE NEWS

✈️ AIRCRAFT ORDERS

United: 110 Airbus A321neo (delivery 2026-2028) - expect LAX, DEN, IAH growth
Delta: 100 Airbus A321neo, 30 A330-900 - international expansion
American: 90 Boeing 787-9 (delivery 2027-2029) - ORD, DFW widebody growth
Southwest: 150 Boeing 737 MAX - continued domestic expansion

NEW ROUTES & DOMICILES

🆕 UNITED:

New Route: SFO-Manila (started May 2026) - 787 service
New Route: EWR-Marrakech (starts October 2026)
Confirmed Base: Las Vegas (LAS) - opened Q3 2026, 737 equipment

🆕 DELTA:

Base Expansion: Boston adding A321 and A220 positions (200 pilots)
New Route: ATL-Cape Town (started December 2025) - A350
New Route: MSP-Copenhagen expanded to daily

🆕 AMERICAN:

New Route: DFW-Brisbane, Australia (starts October 2026) - 787
Base Expansion: PHX adding 150 pilot positions (737)

RETIREMENT & DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

📊 Age 67 Rule Impact:

Congress has NOT passed age 67 rule (remains age 65)
Projected retirements 2026: 5,800-6,200 pilots across majors
Peak retirement wave continues through 2029
This creates the hiring wave we're in now

Breaking Retirements by Carrier (2026 projected):

Delta: 1,900-2,100
United: 1,700-1,900
American: 1,500-1,700
Southwest: 500-600

FINANCIAL NEWS IMPACT

💰 Industry Health Check:

Load factors: 85%+ across all major carriers
Fuel costs: Stabilized
Pilot contracts: All major carriers have industry-leading contracts secured through 2028-2029
Job security: Excellent for next 3-5 years

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

📅 NGPA Convention (National Gay Pilots Association)

Date: February 5-6, 2026
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Excellent networking with airline representatives
Bring resumes on quality paper!

📅 WAI International Conference

Date: March 19-21, 2026
Location: Grapevine, TX
Airline booths: Delta, United, Southwest, regional carriers confirmed
Bring resumes on quality paper!

📅 TPNx Conference (The Pilot Network)

Date: May 6-7, 2026
Location: Dallas, TX
Major recruiting event for all carriers
Bring resumes on quality paper!

📅 PAPA Convention (Professional Asian Piltos Association)

Date: June 1-3, 2026
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Major recruiting event for all carriers
Bring resumes on quality paper!

📅 OBAP Convention (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals)

Date: August 12-14, 2026
Location: Chicago, IL
Major recruiting event for all carriers
Bring resumes on quality paper!

📅 LPA Convention (Latino Pilots Association)

Date: September 17-18, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL
Major recruiting event for all carriers
Bring resumes on quality paper!

📅 RTAG National Convention (Rotary Wing Aviators for Veterans)

Date: October 17-18, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL
Major recruiting event for all carriers
Bring resumes on quality paper!

📅 Regional Airline Association Career Fair

Date: Multiple dates throughout 2026
Virtual and in-person options
All regional carriers represented
Bring resumes on quality paper!

MEET & GREET OPPORTUNITIES

🤝 Delta Meet & Greets

Monthly in ATL (must RSVP via Delta careers page)
Quarterly in NYC, LAX, SEA
Virtual monthly Q&A sessions

🤝 United Pilot Career Night

Monthly in ORD and DEN
Check United careers page for registration

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:

✅ Best time to apply: NOW through Q2 2026 ✅ Most active hiring: United and Delta ✅ Best flow opportunities:Regional carriers with guaranteed flow ✅ Retirement wave: Creates advancement opportunities

❓ QUESTION: Which airline hiring update surprised you most this week?

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