How to become a Pilot with United Airlines in 2025

Assuming that you already hold a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), to become a Pilot with the United Airlines, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

Certification requirements:

• Unrestricted FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with airplane multiengine class rating
• Current FAA first-class medical certificate
• FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR)

Flight time requirement:

• A minimum of 1,500 hours of total time
• A minimum of 1,000 hours of fixed wing turbine time
• Prefer a minimum of 100 hours of complex flight time within the last 12 months

General requirements:

• Current, valid passport
• Legal right to work in the United States
• Must be able to travel freely within the United States and without restriction to all countries United serves
  • Some countries place entry restrictions on foreign visitors. For instance, Canada prohibits entry to people who have been convicted of criminal offenses or who have criminal charges currently pending against them. Some convictions that make a person inadmissible for entry into Canada include theft, driving while intoxicated (DWI) and a number of felonies and misdemeanors. There are procedures to seek special permission or waivers from Canada to permit entry, but these are not automatic. This is not a complete list of countries with restrictions.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred
  • All foreign transcripts need to be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and overall authenticity
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

You may check the United Airlines latest hiring status here.

United Airlines has established several pilot career paths as follows.

• United Aviate Academy

If you are an aspiring pilot, with little to no experience in flight training, you may join the United Aviate Academy. To join, you must be: 

• At least 18 years old
• A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (we do not sponsor foreign visas)
• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent

You can get more information about the United Aviate Academy here.

• Young Eagles Flight

This introduces today’s youth to their first flight in a small general aviation aircraft. This is open to aspiring pilots between ages 8 and 17.

You can get more information about the Young Eagles Flight here.

• Aviate Partner University Student

United Airlines has partnerships with the following seven (7) universities in the country to train aspiring pilots:

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Delaware State University
• Elizabeth City State University
• Florida Tech
• Hampton University
• University of North Dakota
• Western Michigan University

These universities have certain requirements for you to be able to join them. Best to check with their own websites.

Once you’ve decided which university you will get into and upon reaching the minimum requirements of that university, you may now apply to Aviate and undergo its selection process. Afterwards, once selected and having undergone the necessary pilot training and earned your CPL and CFI certificate, you must gain valuable experience instructing as a CFI at a university or flight school or as a commercial pilot at a Part 135 operator and Build toward R-ATP minimum of 1,000 hours.

Then, fly with one of the United Express Aviate partners, which include: Air Wisconsin Airlines, Commutair, GoJet Airlines, and Mesa Airlines with a minimum service requirements of 24 months, and 2,000 flight hours for First Officers or 1,500 flight hours for Captains.

Once you complete your minimum transition requirements with United Express, you’ll be eligible to transition to United as a First Officer.

For more information and to get the latest updates, you may check here.

• Aviate partner flight school student

If you are attending a partner flight school of United Airlines, then you are eligible for this pathway. 

United Airlines has partnerships with the following four (4) flight schools in the country to train aspiring pilots:

• ATP Flight School
• Hillsboro Aero Academy
• Lufthansa Aviation Training
• US Aviation Academy

These universities have certain requirements for you to be able to join them. Best to check with their own websites.

With this, you will follow the same process as written in Item 3 above.

For more information and to get the latest updates, you may check here.

There are other ways for you to become a Pilot with United Airlines. You can join the Airline if you are any of the following:

• Currently building flight hours

You can get detailed information here.

• Pilot at a United Express Aviate program partner

You can get detailed information here.

• Current United employee

You can get detailed information here.

• Child of a current United employee

You can get detailed information here.

• Former United Flight Ops intern

You can get detailed information here.

• Military pilot

You can get detailed information here.

United Airlines Pilots earn between $73,743.60 – $284,197.20 per year. 

The Annual salary figure varies in the above range starting from a new first officer to a senior captain. Information was sourced from Aviationinterviews.

The information provided above is based on the official website of United Airlines and other credible resources. We have provided you with the information as accurately as possible. However, we highly encourage you to always check the United Airlines career website directly to keep updated on their hiring statutes, opening of cadet pilot programs, and additional requirements, if any.

Check out how to become a Pilot in the USA to know more about the minimum requirements, pilot training options, and airline programs.