How Much Do American Airline Pilots Make: The salary is a key consideration for many future pilots when they are deciding which airline to apply to. The generous pay packages offered by numerous airlines can be a major draw for individuals interested in becoming airline pilots. In this article, we will outline the potential earnings for pilots at American Airlines.
Over the course of our interactions with numerous American Airline pilots and meticulous examination of the available data, it has become evident that American Airlines truly excels in terms of salary, making it one of the most desirable airlines to work for in the nation. If you’re curious about the earning potential as an American Airlines pilot, we’ve got you covered with a wealth of insights and information.
How Much Do American Airline Pilots Make
American Airlines pilots are known to earn some of the highest salaries in the aviation industry. In fact, experienced captains flying long-haul routes can expect a base salary nearing $600,000 annually. And that’s not even counting additional perks like overtime rates, flight pay, bonuses, and substantial 401k contributions.
In fact, their salaries tend to surpass those of their counterparts in Europe and the UK. With recent updates, a captain flying a narrow body, short-haul Airbus A320 for American Airlines could potentially rake in an impressive $475,000 in just four years. That’s quite the rewarding career.
Imagine being a wide-body, long-haul captain soaring through the skies on a Boeing 777. With their exceptional skills and experience, they can earn a remarkable basic salary of up to $590,000 per year. It’s a testament to their dedication and expertise.
Salary Of American Airline Pilots
The pay of American Airlines pilots is based on the aircraft they fly and the hours they work in a bid period. American Airlines provides a 73-hour long call and 76-hour short call reserve guarantee for its pilots.
After reviewing the American Airlines pilot pay scale and estimating the number of flight hours in each bid period, we have come up with the following salary as an estimation of hourly pay. Please remember that this calculation is based on the factors mentioned above and information from credible sources.
First Officer Salary at American Airlines
Starting as a first officer for American Airlines means earning $90 per hour, with the potential to increase to $137 per hour in your second year if you’re flying on the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. Here’s an estimate of what you could be making as an American Airlines first officer.
- First Year: $108,000
- Fifth Year: $204,000
- Senior Year 12: $230,000
Data as per October 2023.
Captain Salary at American Airlines
American Airlines captains can earn a starting pay of $255 per hour. For senior captains, the pay can go up significantly, with those flying the 777 aircraft reaching $342 per hour by their 12th year. These figures provide an estimate of what an American Airlines captain can expect to earn.
- First Year: $309,000
- Fifth Year: $319,000
- Senior Year 12: $336,000
Data as per October 2023.
American Airlines traces its beginnings back to 1926 when Charles Lindbergh piloted the inaugural American Airlines flight, transporting mail from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL. Fast forward over 90 years, and American Airlines has grown to become one of the biggest airlines in the United States, operating numerous flights daily to more than 350 destinations spanning across 50 countries.
How Many Pilots Employed At American Airlines
American Airlines currently employs just over 15,000 pilots, with almost 900 new pilots joining the team in 2019. With a large number of pilots set to retire in the next decade, American Airlines is expected to hire a substantial amount of new pilots.
Factors Affecting Pilot Salaries
The salary of American Airlines pilots can be affected by various factors:
- Seniority: Those with more experience in the airline will have a higher pay scale and salary.
- Aircraft Type: Pilots operating wide-body planes like the Boeing 777/747 generally earn more than those flying narrow-body aircraft.
- Flight Hours: The more time spent flying, the higher the pay.
- Overtime: Pilots who take on additional flying hours through overtime can expect a boost in their income.
Requirements For Becoming A Pilot At American Airlines
There exist two distinct sets of pilot requirements or minimum qualifications for commencing a career with American Airlines. Firstly, there are the regulatory requirements established by esteemed organizations such as the FAA, TSA, DOT, and even FCC. Secondly, there are the specific requirements set by the airline itself for the position.
Regulatory Requirements:
- Possession of an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
- Holding a valid and up-to-date First Class Medical Certificate.
- Possession of a Radiotelephone Operator’s Permit.
- Eligibility for a Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test.
- Successfully finished evaluation under Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA).
- Accumulation of 1500 hours of fixed-wing flight time.
Pilot Requirements For American Airlines:
- American Airlines requires pilots to be at least 23 years old.
- Pilots must be able to learn and work with PEDs.
- All pilots must be fluent in English.
- Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States.
- Pilots need to have distance vision corrected to 20/20 and near vision corrected to 20/40 or better in each eye.
- It is essential for pilots to be able to obtain the necessary authority or Customs security badges.
How To Apply For Pilot Job At American Airlines
If you meet all the requirements mentioned and are keen on pursuing a career as an American Airlines pilot, head over to the American Airlines job portal to check for any open positions. Keep in mind that American Airlines often recruits new pilots from their regional airline affiliates.
Well, here’s a tip to get you started. Begin your journey by gaining experience at a regional airline. Once you’ve honed your skills, you can then apply for an open position with American Airlines. To make things easier, check out the pilot hiring requirements at Envoy or PSA Airlines. They could be your stepping stones to soaring with American Airlines.
Conclusion
The pay rates for American Airlines flight crew are some of the best in the industry, and with a generous 40% salary increase on the horizon, it’s no wonder that job satisfaction remains high among the crew members.
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