Airline Pathways and Flow Programs
The pilot shortage has already started. With that, a lot of the airlines have begun creating cadet, pathway, or flow programs to help ensure they have a steady pipeline of pilots coming their way. With all these programs popping up and constantly changing, it’s hard to figure out which one is best for you. I have compiled a list of the biggest airlines and their programs along with some information to get you started. For more details, be sure to go to their websites for up-to-date information. If you notice anything is incorrect or has changed, please reach out so I can update this list.
American Airlines Flow Through Program
American Airlines has about 910 aircrafts to include Airbus A319, A320 and A321, as well as Boeing 737, 777, and 787. They have 10 pilot domiciles that include ORD, BOS, LAX, DCA, DFW, LGA, MIA, PHL, CLT, and PHX. American used to be the only traditional or true “Flow” program. However, more airlines are starting to go in this direction. American Airlines has a flow through program with two regionals; PSA, Piedmont, and Envoy Airlines. I haven’t found much information advertised from American Airlines website on this flow through program, but you might be able to teach the regionals sites and find a number to contact with further information. The general idea is that when you get hired at one of these regional airlines, your name goes onto a seniority list and as soon as your name is up, you flow to a pilot with mainline American. American Airlines also has a Cadet Academy.
American Partners
Flight Schools
Regional Airlines
The Different Pathways
AA Cadet Academy
In the Cadet Academy, you will train with one of their partner flight schools and be paired with an American Airlines pilot mentor to walk with you through the program. They also offer different loan options to pay for training. To qualify, you must have a high school diploma or GED, get a First Class Medical, and pass a background check. The application process consists of first applying into the program, which includes an online assessment and essay questions. Then, if you are selected, you will be invited to submit a video interview. The next step would be to fly to DFW for further testing and face-to-face interviews. Once you are accepted into the program, you will start flight training in the Instruction Phase at their training partner school, then progress into the Experience Phase and instruct at the school you did your training at in order to build flight hours. Once you’ve met your ATP minimums, you will be guaranteed an interview at one of their 3 regionals. Upon getting hired, you will be added to the seniority list for a flow to American Airlines.
Regional Airlines Flow
All of the American Airlines regional carriers (Piedmont, PSA, and Envoy) offer a guaranteed flow to mainline American with no additional interviews required. I’m not sure of all the fine details, but that seniority for the flow through list begins once you get hired at one of those regional airlines.
United Airlines Aviate Pathway Program
United Airline flies to 354 destinations worldwide. They have a fleet of about 750 aircrafts ranging between 7 different aircraft types including Airbus A319 and A320, as well as Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787. They have several 737s still on order being delivered incrementally in the next few years. The pilot group is about 13,000+ pilots with 9 domiciles that include ORD, DEN, IAH, LAX, EWR, SFO, IAD, CLE, and GUM. United announced its new Aviate Pathway Program end of 2019 and it is ever evolving as the industry changes. United also bought a flight school in Phoenix, AZ that they will use for initial flight training that they are calling United Aviate Academy. With acceptance into the Aviate Program, you will receive a conditional job off at United Airlines upon completing all required experience. If you are interested in working for United Airlines, then Aviate Pathway might be for you. Depending on where you are in your aviation experience, there is an entry into the pipeline for you. Once you’re in the pipeline, you must remain at an Aviate partner until transitioning to be a First Officer at United Airlines. They partner with several flight schools, universities, and carriers that you will see below.
United Aviate Partners
Part 135 Carriers
Regional Airlines
Universities
Flight Schools
Lufthansa Aviation Training (This one may be dissolving)
The Different Pathways
United Aviate Academy
United Aviate Academy is designed for those who have no aviation experience or training. To qualify for the academy you must be at least 18 years of age, be a US Citizen or legal residence, have a high school diploma or GED, and apply for program. The application process is a bit strenuous. First step would of course be to submit your application, then complete an interview, and then take an assessment. Getting into the academy would allow you to enter the Aviate pathway as early as your flight training stage. The program is designed to have you done with all your flight training in as little as 10/12 months and you will have your Commercial sis be and multi engine certificates with instrument rating and your Instructor certificates that include single engine, multi engine, and instrument instructor. Once you have completed your training you will begin your time building phase. You can either be hired at United Aviate Academy as an instructor or go to another Aviate partner. You must stick with those partners. After you have completed your required ATP minimums, you then move on to One of the Regional Airline partners until you transition to United as a first officer.
Aviate Partner University Pathway
The University Pathway is designed for those students that are enrolled in an aviation major at one of the Aviate partner schools. To become eligible, you will need to complete 2 semesters of full-time coursework at the university in the qualified aviation degree program, have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, have your private pilot certificate, and a valid FAA first class medical certificate. The program acceptance begins with you applying on Airline Apps and if selected, you will have to pass a panel and technical skills interview. Once you receive your commercial certificate with instrument rating and graduate, you will be required to build hours toward your ATP minimums at one of the Aviate partners. This can be instructing at your university or other flight school partner, or you can get hired at one of their part 135 partners. Once you have completed your require ATP minimums and your required time at the partner, you can then transition to one of the regional airline partners.
Aviate Partner Flight School and Part 135 Pathway
The Aviate Partner Flight school Pathway is for someone who is either currently pursuing, or already received, a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating from a participating partner flight school. To become eligible, you must old a minimum of a Private Pilot Certificate, FAA First Class Medical, a High School diploma or GED, and have no more than four primary training failures. The program acceptance begins with you applying on Airline Apps and if selected, you will have to pass a panel and technical skills interview. Once you receive a minimum of a commercial certificate with instrument rating, you can go onto the time build phase. This can either be getting hired at one of the Aviate partner part 135 companies or getting your CFI and instructing at any of the Aviate partner flight schools. You will have to complete a minimum of 750 flight hours with one of Aviate’s universities, professional flight schools or Part 135 operator partner. (Some partners may also require a minimum service time requirement). Once you have completed your require ATP minimums and your required time at the partner, you can then transition to one of the regional airline partners.
Aviate United Express Pathway
The Aviate United Express Pathway starts when you get hired by one of the partner regional airlines. At the regional airline, you will be required to complete a minimum of 2,000 flight hours and 24 months of service with that regional. You can shorten the hour requirement to 1,500 flight hours if you upgrade to Captain. United requires that you either have a bachelor’s degree or serve a minimum of 1,000 flight hours as a Captain at a participation Aviate regional partner. If you were not already in the Aviate program prior to being hired at the regional carrier, you will be able to now “opt in” during the onboarding process at the participating regional, which is set up as sort of a flow. If you were in the program prior, you will remain in the program, but be higher on the flow through list than those that are opting in upon being hired at the regional. From there, you will complete your requirements and wait until your name is at the top of the list to transition to United Airlines as a First Officer.
Skipping the Regional Airlines
There are a couple of way to essentially skip the regional airlines. If you are either a Chief Pilot, Director of Operations, Director of Safety, or Fleet (Training/Technical/Standards) Captain at any of the Part 135 Aviate Partners, then you will be able transition directly to United as a First Officer after completing 2,000 flight hours. There is also a special program for those who are working for JSX (one of the Part 135 partners). If you are a Captain at JSX, you will be able to transition to United as a First Officer after completing your 2,000 flight hours. The last way to bypass the regional airline route is to become a Fleet Technical Instructor (FTI) at the United Flight Training Center in Denver, CO. By becoming an FTI, you will be required to complete 3 years at the position, get your own ATP, and are still required to have a bachelor’s degree. This allows you to start your employment at United and gain flight benefits. Once your commitments have been complete, you will transition to be a First Officer at United.
Delta Airlines Propel Pathway Program
Delta Airlines is a global airline flying to 321 destinations in. 52 different countries. They have around 13,000 pilots that are assigned to one of 7 domiciles, which include LAX, MSP, NYC, SEA, SLC, ATL, and DTW. Delta has a wide range of aircraft, including the Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330, and A350 as well as Boeing 717, 737, 757, and 767. The Propel program is mostly geared toward college students and currently Delta employees. For more information, visit the Delta Propel website at propel.delta.com.
Delta Propel Partners
Flight Schools
Regional Airlines
Universities
The Different Pathways
College Path
The Delta Propel College Path Program is open to Juniors, Seniors, and students who graduated within the previous 6 months who intend to seek employment at their university as a flight instructor. Pilots must hold, at minimum, a Private Pilot certificate and must have completed at least one additional Part-141 flight course at the partner institution. Pilots participating in Delta Propel will be expected to build their flight hours by instructing at the university where they trained.
Company Path
The Delta Propel Company Path Program is open only to current employees in good standing and must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for the career path:
Completion of 3 years (36 total months) as an active Delta Air Lines employee
Possess an FAA Private Pilot Certificate (Fixed Wing), not to exceed a Commercial Pilot Certificate (Single Engine-Fixed Wing)
Logged 100 hours of total flight time in a fixed wing powered aircraft
A four-year degree from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Dept. of Education recognized accrediting organization is preferred.
Through this program, propel participants will fly at one of the flight school partners and then transition to a regional partner once receiving ATP minimums.
Southwest Airlines Destination 225°
Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic carrier based on passengers carried and has about 9,500+ pilots that spread across their 11 domiciles. Their domiciles include ATL, BWI, MDW, DAL, DEN, HOU, LAX, OAK, MCO, and PHX. Their fleet consists entirely of Boeing 737s and they have the largest Boeing fleet with about 750 737s. If Southwest Airlines is the airline that you are wanted to end up at, then their destination 225° might be the program for you. Southwest got creative when naming their pathway program. The significance of destination 225° is that when the compass rose is pointed to 225°, it is pointed to a south west heading. Like other airlines pathways, there are different entry points in getting into the program. The partners that Southwest Airlines works with for their program depending on the pathway are CAE, JetLinx, XOJet, iAeroGroup, Arizona State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and The University of Oklahoma.
Destination 225° Partners
Universities
Part 135 Carriers
Flight Schools
The Different Pathways
Destination 225° Cadet Pathway
The Cadet Pathway is designed for those who do not have any pilot experience. This program will provide flight training through CAE in Phoenix, AZ. Before you get into the program you will have to apply for it, complete your First Class Medical, successfully complete an aptitude assessment, and then get passed the interview process. The training will take you through single and multi engine commercial training and then through your certified flight instructor (CFI) rating. You will then come back as a CFI and instruct with CAE to build your flight hours. You can also get a job at their other partners as a commercial pilot until you meet the minimum requirements to transition to the right seat at Southwest Airlines.
Destination 225° University Pathway
The University Pathway is designed more for aviators that are attending one of Southwest’s partner universities. Those universities are Arizona State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and The University of Oklahoma. If you are enrolled in an aviation program at a partner university you will do all the flight training there, then come back as a flight instructor to teach. Once you have complete required flight hours, you will qualify to them move on to one of their partner carriers which include JetLinx, XOJet, and iAeroGroup. You will be required to fly at that partner for at least 3 years before transitioning to the right seat at Southwest. Some of the requirements for the program are that you must be enrolled in an aviation degree at a partner school, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and obtain a First Class Medical. For more information on qualifications check out their website.
Destination 225° Military Pathway
The Military Pathway is designed for military pilots that are transitioning into civilian flying and do not have all the flight time required to apply for a First Officer position at Southwest Airlines. It works as kind of a bridge program to assist in that transition. To be eligible, you would have to have completed the U.S. Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school and received a pilot certificate as a military pilot. From there you will work with a pilot mentor to go over all requirements needed before leaving active duty military status. You will get your ATP through a Southwest partner, Bell Murray Aerospace, and then you will go to one of the three partner carriers to fly for a minimum two years to build flight time and experience. After that you will qualify to become a First Officer at Southwest.
Destination 225° Employee Pathway
Southwest Airlines also has an Employee Pathway, which will send you through a similar pathway as the Cadet Pathway, doing all your flight training at CAE. If you are a Southwest employee, I believe more information will be available though your intranet or speaking with someone at the company. I do not have any more details to that program.
To get more information on Southwest Airline’s Destination 225° Pathway Program, click here to visit their website.