American Airlines Pilot Salary in 2024: How Much First Officer and Captain Earn?

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American Airlines (AA) pays a competitive salary to their pilots for First Officers their pay starts from $110,000 and goes up to $230,000 annually and for Captains from $309,000 to $336,00. Other benefits include 401(K) retirement plans and health, dental, accidental Insurance, etc.

Are you Curious to know what American Airlines pays to their pilots on an hourly and yearly basis in 2024? In this blog, we have covered all you need to know about American Airlines from their First Officers and Captains’ hourly and yearly pay in 2024 to hiring requirements and Application process to become a future-ready pilot at American Airlines. So, let’s get started.

American Airlines First Officer Salary

According to the latest contract between American Airlines and the Allied Pilots Association, the starting pay for an American Airlines first officer in 2024 is $113 per hour. This equates to an estimated annual pay of $109,209 for a first-year officer flying 80 hours per month

The pay for American Airlines first officers quickly grows to $174 per hour in year two if flying on the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.

Photo: Airline Pilot Central

Here’s a table showing the estimated annual pay for American Airlines first officers based on years of experience :

Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Pay (80 Hours per month)
Year 1	$ 109,209
Year 5	$206,102
Year 12	$231,945

American Airlines First Officer Salary – 2024

Photo: American Airlines

American Airlines Captain Salary

The salary for a captain at American Airlines in 2024 varies significantly based on experience and aircraft type.

• Starting Pay: The hourly wage for a new captain begins at approximately $324 per hour.
• Average Pay: The average pay for captains is around $327 per hour, which translates to an estimated annual salary of about $309,000 for a first-year captain flying 80 hours per month.
• Pay Range: The total pay for American Airlines captains ranges from $160,000 to $290,000 annually, depending on experience and additional pay factors. For more experienced captains, particularly those flying larger aircraft like the Boeing 777 or 787, the pay can reach as high as $469,200 per year after many years of service.

Photo: Airline Pilot Central

Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Pay (80 Hours per month)
Year 1	$ 309,000
Year 5	$ 319,000
Year 12	$ 336,000

American Airlines Captain Salary -2024

American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum | Photo: Eric Friedebach | Flickr

American Airlines Pilot’s Hourly Pay 2024

In 2024, American Airlines pilots earn competitive hourly salaries that vary based on their position and experience. Here’s a breakdown of their hourly wages:

Position	Starting Pay	Average Pay	Top Pay
First Officer	$90/hr	$213/hr	$234/hr
Captain	$304/hr	$327/hr	$342/hr

American Airlines Pilots Hourly Pay 2024

As you can see, first officers start with an hourly rate of $90, while captains begin at $314. The average pay for first officers is $213, whereas captains average $327 per hour. Notably, top earners in these roles can make up to $234 and $342 per hour, respectively.

Overall, the salary structure reflects the pilots’ experience and the complexity of the aircraft they operate, contributing to a rewarding career at American Airlines.

Also Read, Delta Airlines Pilot Salary 2024: How Much They Earn in A Year? – Aviation A2Z

Photo: American Airlines

Where are American Airlines Pilot Bases?

American Airlines operates pilot bases in several key cities across the United States. These bases are essential for the airline’s operations, as they are the starting and ending points for pilots’ flights. The current American Airlines pilot bases include:

• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Miami (MIA)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• New York – LaGuardia (LGA)
• Washington D.C. – Ronald Reagan (DCA)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Dayton (DAY)

Photo: By Quintin Soloviev – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75210603

American Airlines Fleet

As of June 2024, American Airlines operates a diverse fleet of 970 mainline aircraft, making it one of the largest commercial airline fleet operators globally. The fleet includes a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with a significant emphasis on narrow-body jets. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the aircraft types in the American Airlines fleet:

Airbus Aircraft

• Airbus A319-100: 133 in service
• Airbus A320-200: 48 in service
• Airbus A321-200: 218 in service
• Airbus A321neo: 80 in service with 85 on order
• Airbus A321XLR: 0 in service with 50 on order

Boeing Aircraft

• Boeing 737-800: 303 in service
• Boeing 737 MAX 8: 62 in service with 38 on order (some orders ungauged to MAX 10)
• Boeing 737 MAX 10: 0 in service with 115 on order
• Boeing 777-200ER: 47 in service
• Boeing 777-300ER: 20 in service
• Boeing 787-8: 37 in service
• Boeing 787-9: 22 in service

Summary of Fleet Composition :

• Narrow-body Aircraft: Over 80% of the fleet consists of narrow-body jets from the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 family.
• Boeing manufactures all wide-body aircraft, and American Airlines operates the largest fleet of the 787-8 model.
• It also has 550+ aircraft in its regional fleet including CRJ200, CRJ700, CRJ900, E145, E170, and E175.

American Airlines continues to modernize its fleet, with significant orders placed for new aircraft to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience.

Photo: American Airlines

What are the Hiring requirements for American Airlines Pilots?

For 2024, the hiring requirements for pilots at American Airlines include the following criteria:

General Requirements :

• Age: Minimum age of 23 years.
• Education: A high school diploma or GED is required; some college education is preferred.
• Flight Experience:
  • Must hold a valid Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with a multi-engine rating and meet FAA flight time requirements.
  • A minimum of 1,500 hours total flight time is required.
  • Candidates with 1,000 hours of Part 121 (scheduled air carrier) experience may be considered.
  • This includes:
  • 500 hours of cross-country flying.
  • 250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC).
  • 100 hours of night flying.
  • 75 hours of instrument time.
  • 25 hours of multi-engine land time
• Medical Certification: A valid First Class Medical Certificate is required.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills and the ability to make quick and accurate decisions.
• Vision Requirements: Distance vision is corrected to 20/20, and near vision is corrected to 20/40 or better in each eye.
• Background Checks: Must complete FAA criminal background checks.
• Language Proficiency: Ability to speak and understand English fluently.
• Work Authorization: Must have the right to work in the United States and possess a valid passport for international travel.
• Security Badges: Ability to secure appropriate airport authority and/or Customs security badges.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work varying hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Photo: American Airlines

How do I apply for an American Airlines Pilot job?

If you meet all the requirements that are listed above then you can apply for the pilot position at American Airlines. Application Process for American Airlines Pilot job is as follows :

1. Application Submission: Candidates apply through the American Airlines career portal.
2. Interview: If the application is approved, candidates will be invited for an interview, which can be conducted in person or virtually.
3. Indoc Training: Successful candidates will participate in a two-week indoctrination course.
4. Simulator Training: Ground and simulator training will follow to prepare pilots for their assigned aircraft.

NOTE: American Airlines mostly hires from their regional airline partners. If you want to start your career as a pilot in American Airlines first you have to work at their Regional airlines then you will be able to apply for open positions.

Photo: American Airlines

What benefits do American Airlines pilots get?

American Airlines pilots enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Compensation :

• Competitive Salaries: Pilots earn high base pay rates, with first officers starting at around $90/hour and captains at $314/hour. Salaries increase with experience and aircraft type flown.
• Profit Sharing: Pilots are eligible for profit-sharing bonuses based on the airline’s performance.

Factors Influencing Compensation

Pilots’ compensation is influenced by several factors:

• Seniority: More experienced pilots with longer tenure at American Airlines earn higher salaries.
• Aircraft Type: Pilots qualified to fly larger, more complex aircraft like the Boeing 777 or 787 earn higher pay.
• Flight Hours: Pilots are paid for each hour they fly, with a guaranteed minimum number of hours per month.

Health and Insurance :

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Pilots and their families have access to comprehensive health insurance plans.
• Life Insurance: American provides life insurance coverage for pilots.
• Disability Insurance: Pilots can obtain supplemental short and long-term disability insurance to cover the loss of their medical license.

Retirement :

• 401(k) Plan: American offers a retirement savings plan with a company-matching contribution.

Travel Perks :

• Unlimited Free Travel: Pilots, their families, and friends can fly for free on American and partner airlines.
• Buddy Passes: Pilots receive 16 buddy passes per year for friends and family to fly at a discounted rate.

Work-Life Balance :

• Paid Time Off: Pilots accrue paid vacation days and holidays.
• Flexible Schedules: Pilots can work varying hours, including weekends and holidays.

Photo: American Airlines

Does American Airlines offer pilot training?

Yes, American Airlines offers pilot training through its Cadet Academy program. This program is designed to provide aspiring pilots with a structured path to becoming commercial airline pilots. Here are the key features:

American Airlines Cadet Academy :

• Training Structure: The program includes a comprehensive 12-month training curriculum that covers various pilot certifications, including Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IFR), Commercial Single Engine Land (CSEL), Commercial Multi-Engine Land (CMEL), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII).
• Mentorship and Support: Cadets receive mentorship from experienced American Airlines pilots, which helps guide them through their training and career development.
• Financing Options: The academy provides a comprehensive funding solution to support cadets in their training.
• Locations: Training is conducted at various locations, including San Diego, CA, San Marcos, TX, and Dallas, TX.
• Application Process: Interested candidates must complete an application that includes an online assessment and essay questions, followed by potential video interviews and face-to-face testing at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) for selected applicants.

Photo: Cado Photo

General Info About American Airlines

Below are the facts about American Airlines – General Information, History, Corporate Structure, Financial Performance, and Alliances are as follows:

American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, with a rich history and extensive operations. Here are some key facts about the airline:

Airline Name	American Airlines
Headquarters	For the worth, Texas within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, U.S
Founded	Founding member of the Oneworld alliance
Fleet Size and Destination	operates 965 air crafts to 349 destinations in 48 countries
Employees	129,700 staff members as of 2023
Main Hub	Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the largest hub
Alliances	Founding member of Oneworld alliance

General Info about American Airlines

Photo: By Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland – American Airlines MD-80; N14551@LAX;21.04.2007/466pw, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26673506

American Airlines History :

• Headquarters: American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
• Fleet Size: As of June 2024, American Airlines operates a fleet of 970 mainline aircraft, making it the second-largest commercial airline fleet globally.
• Destinations: The airline operates nearly 6,800 daily flights to approximately 350 destinations in 48 countries.
• Annual Passengers: American Airlines handles more than 200 million passengers annually, averaging over 500,000 passengers daily.

• Hubs: The airline operates out of 10 hubs, with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) being the largest.

History :

• Formation: American Airlines was founded in 1930 due to a merger of over 80 small airlines.
• Mergers: The airline has merged with several carriers, including Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 2001 and US Airways in 2013.
• Innovations: American Airlines has pioneered the airline industry, introducing computer reservation systems and frequent flyer programs.

Corporate Structure :

• Publicly Traded: American Airlines is publicly traded under its parent company, American Airlines Group Inc., and included in the S&P 500 index.
• Regional Services: The airline operates regional services under the brand name American Eagle, which includes independent and subsidiary carriers.

Financial Performance :

• Revenue: As of 2023, American Airlines reported an annual revenue of approximately $53.45 billion.
• Market Capitalization: The airline had a market capitalization of about $6.65 billion as of August 2024.

Alliances :

• Oneworld Alliance: American Airlines is a founding member of the Oneworld global airline alliance, which enhances its international reach and connectivity.

Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper, the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, alongside American Airlines and Governor’s Harbour Airport executives, cut the ribbon for the inaugural twice-weekly nonstop service between Miami and Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.

How many Pilots work for American Airlines?

American Airlines currently employs around 15,000 pilots. Here are the key details:

• In 2019, nearly 900 new pilots launched their careers with American Airlines.
• As of 2024, American Airlines has over 15,000 pilots on its payroll.
• Over the next 10 years, American Airlines is expected to have significant pilot retirements, leading to the hiring of a substantial number of new pilots.

However, it’s important to note that American Airlines has recently paused new pilot training classes for the remainder of 2024 due to a re-evaluation of its commercial and talent needs.

This decision is not unique to American Airlines, as other major U.S. airlines like United, Delta, and Spirit have also paused or stopped similar training programs at different points this year.

Are you planning to join American Airlines as a pilot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Also Read: US Airlines, Including American, United, Delta, and Southwest, want you to Dress Properly – Aviation A2Z

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