The 2025 Pilot Hiring Outlook

The 2025 Pilot Hiring Outlook: Airlines, Cargo, and Fractional Operators

With 2025 in full swing, it is time to take a look at the pilot hiring outlook for 2025. The aviation industry has seen a turbulent hiring landscape over the past few years, with rapid expansion post-pandemic followed by a recent slowdown. As we move through 2025, pilot hiring across airlines, cargo carriers, and fractional ownership companies is expected to stabilize, with sector-specific trends shaping the demand for flight crew.

Airline Hiring: A Return to Pre-Pandemic Norms

Major airlines experienced a hiring boom in 2022 and 2023, driven by pent-up travel demand and workforce shortages. However, by 2024, hiring had slowed by as much as 40% for some carriers. Looking ahead, hiring in 2025 is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels rather than continue the rapid expansion seen in previous years.

• American Airlines resumed new hire classes in January after a temporary suspension in 2024 due to aircraft delivery delays. While it is hard to estimate exactly what the number will be for 2025 hiring, 2025 and 2026 will have higher than normal retirement rates for American. Regional airlines under American continue to hire.

• Delta Airlines has indicated that it expects a "normalized" hiring rate, aligning with hiring trends seen before COVID-19. However, a memo which went out to Delta pilots early this year indicates the airline is downgrading it's pilot hiring forecast for 2025. The number essentially lines up with the forced retirements for this year.

• Spirit Airlines, on the other hand, faces financial challenges and plans to furlough around 330 pilots by early 2025.

• Southwest Airlines halted hiring in early 2024 after issues with Boeing. They also cut their delivery forecast from Boeing in 2024 and again in 2025. Southwest is currently not hiring and there is no indication they will start again anytime soon. Some insiders speculate that pilot hiring could begin again by Q3, but they admit this is complete speculation.

• United Airlines still has big plans for the future after their historic aircraft order post-pandemic. However, 2025 pilot hiring forecasts remain moderate.

• Other Airlines have a low to moderate pilot hiring projection for 2025. For example, JetBlue currently has no pilot position available on their website, Allegiant is only hiring through it's pathway programs, yet Avelo and Frontier have continued hiring with Frontier still hoping to double in size over the next 5 years.

This sector remains highly influenced by economic conditions, aircraft delivery, fuel prices, and travel demand. While hiring opportunities persist, the pace of recruitment will be more measured compared to the last few years.

Cargo Airlines: Steady Demand Amidst E-Commerce Growth

Cargo airlines have benefited from the continued expansion of e-commerce and global trade, creating a relatively stable demand for pilots. Although hiring projections for 2025 are not as aggressive as in previous years, cargo operators continue to provide opportunities, particularly for pilots seeking alternative career paths outside of commercial passenger airlines. However, most of these opportunities exist outside of the "major" cargo players. FedEx continues its rebound from a tumultuous 2024 which saw many pilots seek employment elsewhere, while UPS continues its near annual vacancy window. These jobs, when available, remain hyper-competitive.

Fractional Ownership: Growth in Private Aviation

The fractional ownership sector, which allows customers to share private jet ownership, has experienced steady growth as high-net-worth individuals and businesses seek flexible travel solutions. COVID-19 pushed many of these wealthy individuals to ditch TSA lines and first class offerings for a more convenient option: fractional ownership. This demand is fueling pilot recruitment in the private aviation sector, with operators actively hiring to accommodate increased flight activity. The big players in this arena continue to be NetJets and Flexjet. It's nearly impossible to look at pilot job postings on LinkedIn without seeing an ad for NetJets. Meanwhile, Flexjet just finalized a deal with Embraer for 182 aircraft valued at nearly $7 billion. This record setting deal shows Flexjet's desire and capacity for growth. And as with any airline, more aircraft equals more pilots. The demand in this sector may be as strong as ever. As a result, pilots looking for careers outside of traditional airline roles may find growing opportunities in this space.

Long-Term Industry Outlook

While short-term hiring fluctuations are expected, the long-term need for pilots remains strong. Factors such as mandatory retirements and sustained industry growth contribute to a positive employment outlook. Boeing’s latest Pilot and Technician Outlook projects that North America will require 123,000 new pilots by 2043, underscoring the continued demand for trained aviators.

Conclusion

The pilot job market in 2025 is set to stabilize after the post-pandemic hiring surge. Airlines are adjusting to normalized recruitment levels, cargo operators are maintaining steady hiring, and fractional ownership companies continue to expand. While certain airlines are making workforce reductions, the broader demand for pilots remains intact, offering a variety of career paths for both aspiring and experienced aviators.

If you or someone you know is curious about pilot career opportunities, contact us today! We are happy to discuss your career goals and provide insight into the different types of flying.