Do Airlines Offer Flight Training?

If you’re thinking about becoming a pilot, then the cost to do so might seem overwhelming. Today we’ll discuss whether airlines offer flight training.

Whether you’re already on your way to earning your wings and becoming a pilot or you’re a complete novice just trying to learn as much as possible, one thing is for certain — it’s not cheap! Getting to the point where you can fly for an airline means getting your license, earning additional ratings, and more. So if airlines would help out with that in order to get more pilots, that’d benefit everyone, right?

Some of the major airlines out there do offer flight training, including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. This training typically requires you to sign a commitment to fly for that airline for a certain number of years before you’re free to stay with them or move on.

It's no secret that airlines are always looking for new pilots. In fact, many airlines offer flight training to their employees. This is a huge advantage if you're looking to start your career in aviation. In this article, we'll discuss whether or not airlines offer flight training and what it involves. We'll also take a look at some of the major airlines that offer this benefit and how it can help you get a job with them faster!

Here at SkyTough, we strive to provide you with only the information you’re looking for so that you aren’t wasting your time. The only way to effectively do this is to extensively research and thoroughly vet everything before putting any content on the site for you to read. We aren’t just here trying to put together as many articles as possible, we only want to publish the best. So when you’re done reading this, you’ll know whether airlines offer flight training or not.

‍Do Airlines Offer Flight Training For Potential Pilots?

If you’re thinking about becoming a commercial pilot to begin one of the most exciting and rewarding careers out there, you might be wondering if airlines offer flight training. After all, earning your pilot’s license is not cheap, especially obtaining your commercial pilot license. There are quite a few requirements and additional ratings that you have to earn before ever flying for a major airline, so finding an airline that offers flight training can be ideal.

But do they?

The short answer is yes — many airlines offer flight training to their employees. However, the specifics of what's involved can vary from airline to airline. In most cases, the airline will cover the cost of your flight training. This can be a huge advantage if you're looking to become a pilot!

Some of the major airlines that offer this benefit include American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. All three of these major players in the game have excellent reputations in the aviation industry and are always looking for new pilots. If you're lucky enough to receive funding for your flight training from one of these airlines, it can help you get a job with them faster!

Will You Get A Pilot Job Faster With Airline Flight Training?

I know this always seems like a bit of a cop-out to just about any question, but it depends. The airlines that offer this benefit are typically looking for new pilots with a lot of flying experience. However, if you're already an experienced pilot, the flight training from the airline can help you transition to working for them more quickly.

If you’re just now thinking about becoming an airline pilot and you find an airline that’s offering prospective employees flight training, then this is pretty much a guarantee. Not only will it help you land a job with that airline faster once you finish your training, but chances are high that you’ll actually be contractually obligated to work for them for a number of years.

Airlines don’t want to invest a  bunch of money in a potential pilot only to have that pilot immediately leave for another airline right away. So yes, having airline-sponsored flight training will help you land a job with that airline faster. It will likely be a condition of your flight training that you end up working for that airline in the end.

Requirements For Airline-Sponsored Flight Training

Each airline has different requirements for accepting applicants to their flight training programs. The most common one(as mentioned above), is that you must be willing to work as an employee pilot for that airline once accepted into the program. Another common requirement is that you must have at least 500 hours of flight time under your belt before applying. But don’t let that discourage you if you’re just starting out, not all airlines have that requirement!

Some airlines will only accept pilots that already have a commercial license. But that training would of course be far less extensive and would typically only involve getting caught up to speed on specific models or technology. If you’re just starting your journey towards becoming a commercial pilot, the airlines may require a private license or even just some general aviation experience in order to qualify for consideration!

Other factors could include having military service (especially if it involved flying) or previous employment at another major carrier where they might already know who you are by name and reputation. Like in most other industries out there, knowing someone can be a huge help here as both you and the airline can benefit from this personal connection.

Airlines offer a variety of different flight training programs, which can be quite overwhelming for someone looking to get started. However, by doing your research and finding out what each airline requires, you'll have a better idea of where to start. After all, once you get a better idea of how much it costs to get your pilot’s license, you’ll likely be more than willing to deep dive into potential programs!

How Much Does Flight Training Cost?

Flight training can be expensive, which is why your goal here is to find an airline that will cover it. The average cost of flight training is around $40,000, which is no small amount for anyone, but especially someone trying to get started in their career. This includes all training materials and equipment needed for your coursework as well as housing accommodations during school breaks or internships abroad!

The good news about getting funding for flight training? You'll be able to work towards becoming a pilot in less time than if you were paying out-of-pocket! The bad news? There's usually an annual salary cap on how much money you can earn while working as an airline employee pilot before having any additional expenses deducted from your paycheck.

Alternative Methods Of Funding Your Flight Training

Of course, not all airlines offer flight training. If this is the case, don't worry — there are still plenty of ways to get funding for your training. One option is to apply for scholarships through professional organizations like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) or the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). These organizations often offer financial aid programs that are designed specifically for pilots who need help paying their training costs.

Another option is to take out a personal loan. This can be a risky move, but it's still an option if you need to get your flight training funded immediately. There are many different lenders who offer aviation loans or personal loans for any reason, so it's important to do your research before you decide on one. That’s just beyond the scope of this site!

Finally, you could also try to find a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who is willing to help finance your flight training in exchange for future work commitments. This can be a great way to get the money you need without taking out a loan or applying for scholarships.