In this article
Regional and major airlines can form part of a pilot’s career, but there is no single sequence or timetable for everyone. This overview introduces the questions to ask when comparing roles and planning the experience you want to build.
01
Starting at a Regional Airline
A regional airline role is one possible route into airline flying. Read the employer’s current qualifications and research its operation, bases, fleet, training process, and pay agreement. Compare the experience you would gain with your longer-term goals rather than assuming the first airline job must follow one fixed path.
02
Understanding Captain Upgrades
A captain position carries different responsibilities and qualification requirements from a first officer role. Ask the employer how vacancies, seniority, training, and experience affect upgrades. An upgrade time reported by another pilot is a historical example, not a promise that the same opportunity will be available to you.
03
Researching a Major Airline Role
Research each major airline’s current application requirements and the kinds of experience it considers. Keep accurate records and develop examples of sound judgment, teamwork, and learning. Moving employers can also mean changes in base, schedule, and seniority; consider those alongside compensation.
04
The Long-Term Financial Picture
Compare published wage data with the actual terms of a role, including the pay basis, guarantees, benefits, and costs that apply to your situation. Build your own budget using explicit assumptions. A national wage figure or another pilot’s career does not establish a student’s future lifetime earnings.
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Pilot salary & hiring report
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