How to Become an Airline Pilot: Licensing and Certifications

Before you can fly for a living, you need to master the basics. This starts with earning a private pilot license (PPL), which allows you to fly small aircraft for personal use.

To qualify, you'll need to begin training at an aviation program or civilian flight school, pass a medical exam and complete both written and practical exams administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

While a bachelor’s degree isn't always required, most airlines often prefer candidates with college degrees in fields like aerospace engineering or an aviation degree. A solid foundation in science, math and aircraft systems can be a huge advantage in pilot training.

Once you've built flight experience with your private pilot certificate, the next step is obtaining a commercial pilot certificate, also known as a commercial pilot license. This allows you to be paid for flying.

Commercial pilots typically must complete more flight hours, including cross-country flight time and operations under instrument flight rules (IFR).

To fly for an airline industry employer, you’ll also need an instrument rating, which teaches you how to navigate using instruments rather than visual cues. This is crucial for operating in poor weather and high-traffic airspace controlled by air traffic controllers.

To qualify for an airline transport pilot license (ATPL), you must accumulate flight hours — a lot of them.

Most pilots gain experience by working as a certified flight instructor (CFI), providing flight instruction to student pilots. Getting your flight instructor certificate helps you log more flight hours while refining your skills.

Some pilots opt for military training instead of the civilian route. Military pilots receive extensive advanced training in multi-engine aircraft, which can accelerate their career in commercial aviation.

To become an airline pilot, you’ll need to meet the flight hour requirements set by the FAA — a minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. Many new pilots start at a regional airline, working as a first officer before advancing to major airlines like United Airlines or Delta Air Lines.

Airlines prefer candidates with a multi-engine rating, proficiency in air traffic control communication and strong decision-making skills. Some carriers offer pilot pathway programs, which streamline the process of hiring qualified pilots: United, for instance, has its Aviate training program.

To be considered for a commercial airline pilot position — or even the first officer designation that is usually necessary to get to the "pilot in command" role — you need to earn an airline transport pilot (ATP) certification.

This is the equivalent of the previously-mentioned ATPL, which is the term used in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

For the FAA, this means more than the 1,500 hours of flight experience. You also need to have shown proficiency flying at night, log cross country flight time, and get a clean bill of health via a detailed medical exam.

After gaining experience at a regional airline, the next step is upgrading to a commercial airline pilot position at a commercial airline. Pilots must complete additional training specific to the aircraft they’ll fly, working alongside other crew members to carry passengers safely across the globe.

With an ongoing pilot shortage, airlines are eager to recruit qualified candidates. If you meet the requirements, have the proper training, and pass all evaluations, you’ll be well on your way to an exciting airline pilot career.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.