The job of an airline pilot is one of the most aspirational careers in the aviation industry, but training is incredibly expensive and time-consuming. This is especially true in the United States, where airline transport pilot license (ATPL) holders are generally required to have logged at least 1,500 hours, which greatly restricts the pipeline of potential new pilots. With overall air travel on the rise, a shortage of pilots in the US has led to the development of new airline-sponsored training programs.

These are fairly common in the rest of the world, but it’s a new development in the US. These typically consist of partnerships with select universities as well as flight schools. In addition, there may be a streamlined pathway to becoming a pilot for one of these airlines, in part by placing successful cadets at wholly owned regional subsidiaries and assigning them a slot to eventually transfer to mainline. This list will compile the best pilot career-pathway programs in the US in 2025. Note that while these programs are active, not all of them may be accepting new applicants.

United Aviate

A single, dedicated training campus

The United Airlines Aviate program is advertised as being the fastest, most direct way to reach a United mainline flight deck. The Chicago-based carrier partners with 20 universities around the country that offer aviation degrees alongside flight training. Applicants who pass internal screening will be required to complete assessments before participating in a panel and technical interview.

United operates the Aviate Academy, which is a full ab initio school intended for zero-time applicants. However, there’s only one physical location, in Phoenix, Arizona. College students at a partner university can also be enrolled in Aviate while studying aviation. However, those who are not willing to attend the Phoenix campus or are not studying at a partner university must possess a commercial pilot’s license. Those enrolled in the program are preferred for hiring at one of United’s six regional or Part 135 partners (CommuteAir, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, JSX, or Tradewind).

If you’ve been hired by one of these airlines, you must complete 1,200 hours as pilot-in-command with that airline, or in other words, as a captain. This means you need to first be hired by the carrier and then upgrade to captain once your seniority allows. Once you have logged 1,200 hours, you will receive a slot to interview with United. Note, however, that this is not a guaranteed job offer, and it’s also not guaranteed that you’ll receive an interview. In essence, this program prioritizes participants for hiring at United Airlines and its partners.

Destination 225°

Four flight school partners

For aspiring pilots looking to become a part of the Southwest Airlines family, the Dallas-based carrier offers the Destination 225° program. Destination 225° offers four main pathway programs for cadets, university students, former military pilots, and current Southwest employees. The military pathway is the simplest, as it requires former military pilots who do not meet Southwest’s hiring criteria to log the difference with Florida-based flight school SkyWarrior, and to complete an ATPL course with Bell Murray Aerospace if necessary.

The pathways for cadets and university students are fairly similar, with the main differences being the starting point as well as the training. Southwest Airlines partners with 12 universities that offer aviation degrees and flight training, whereas the cadet program is for those starting with little to no prior aviation background. Selected applicants can expect a roughly 13-month training program at partner flight schools, with roughly 40-hour workweeks. Southwest provides a stipend during this period to cover living expenses.

Through the Destination 225° program, cadets have the opportunity to be mentored by active Southwest first officers. Once an applicant has completed training, they can then work as a flight instructor at a partner school, and at 750 hours, can interview with a partner company (Advanced Air, Clay Lacy, FlyHouse, Ace Charter Express/Freight Runners Express, Jet Linx, SkyWest Airlines, Thrive Aviation, or XOJET) as a first officer. From there, pilots are typically required to work for two years before being eligible to join Southwest (not guaranteed).

AA Cadet Academy

Seven campuses with a regional airline flow

American Airlines partners with five flight schools in seven locations in the United States, located in New Jersey, Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia, Texas, and Arizona. Candidates are trained for a private pilot’s license, an instrument rating, a commercial pilot’s license, a multi-engine rating, as well as a certified flight instructor license and a CFI instrument addon. After receiving these licenses, participants can begin working as instructors to build 1,500 hours of total flight experience, which is required to qualify for an ATPL.

Credit is given for those who already hold a private pilot’s license, and the program offers a specialized loan option with American Airlines Credit Union. American does not guarantee a job as a flight instructor, but it does offer a conditional job offer with one of its regional subsidiaries (Envoy Air, PSA Airlines, Piedmont Airlines). Essentially, you must meet all the program’s requirements, and if you complete it, you can be placed with one of American’s wholly owned regional carriers.

Pilots working for Envoy Air, PSA, or Piedmont are placed in a flow that guarantees them a spot at American Airlines. This process is seniority-based, and it can often take several years before a regional airline pilot is actually called for training at American. However, Envoy Air, PSA, or Piedmont pilots do not need to interview again. The advantage of this program, then, is favorable loan terms compared to an outside loan servicer as well as the fact that American, as well as most airlines, are now primarily hiring from cadet programs.

F9 Pilot Cadet Program

A guaranteed job upon completion

Frontier Airlines primarily partners with ATP Flight School for cadet pilot training. This is the largest flight training provider in the United States, meaning that chosen applicants can choose from over 70 locations spread out across the country. Whereas an ATPL typically requires 1,500 hours, Frontier advertises that applicants can complete the program in as little as 750 hours (these pilots will be awarded a restricted ATPL at first). In addition, candidates are offered lending options to aid with training costs, which are set by ATP Flight School.

After applying, candidates must complete a series of screening interviews, undergo a drug test, and hold an FAA First Class Medical. Frontier Airlines advertises that the program can be completed in as little as two years. If an applicant completes their 750 hours before the two-year period ends, Frontier will bump the monthly stipend to $1,000. In addition, participants are entitled to receive limited flight benefits with Frontier Airlines.

It is up to the applicant to decide how they want to build time after receiving their commercial pilot’s license. The most notable aspect of the F9 Pilot Cadet Program is that upon completing the program, applicants are guaranteed a slot to join Frontier Airlines as a first officer. Furthermore, Frontier Airlines pays for all applicants’ ATPL and jet transition courses, while the airline’s internal training is also paid. This makes it one of the most secure pilot pathway programs in the US.

Propel Pilot Career Path Program

One interview, offers a regional flow

Delta Air Lines offers its Propel program for aspiring Delta pilots. The carrier offers four pathways aimed towards college students, current Delta employees, recipients of the Propel scholarship, and instructors at the flight schools that Delta currently partners with. The major benefit of the Propel program is that applicants only have to do one interview. If the interview goes well, you can begin training, and you’ll have job offers waiting for you at Endeavor Air and Delta Air Lines when the time comes.

Throughout the program, cadets are paired with an active Delta pilot who serves as a mentor. The mentor will check in with their assigned student to monitor their progress and will also be available for guidance even when flying for Endeavor Air. Endeavor Air is a wholly owned regional subsidiary, and like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines has a flow program with Endeavor Air. In essence, Endeavor Air pilots are automatically given a slot at Delta when their seniority number is called up.

Delta requires Propel participants to serve as captains at Endeavor Air for a minimum of two years before flowing. Of course, this is seniority-based, and it often takes significantly more time. However, the value of having a largely guaranteed spot at both carriers and only having to perform one interview is immeasurable. It’s undoubtedly the most secure way to make it to a Delta flight deck, which is especially important given that most of the carrier’s new-hire pilots are from the Propel program today.