Industry Sees Shift in Pilot Hiring Cycle as Airlines Expand Training Capacity

Airline pilot hiring shows signs of renewed momentum heading into 2026, according to data from ATP and Aero Crew Solutions. Major airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines ramped hiring to maximum capacity late in 2025, with plans to continue into 2026. The trend aligns with Boeing’s forecast that global commercial aviation will require about 660,000 new pilots over the next 20 years.