American Airlines has announced a temporary halt to its pilot hiring program for the remainder of 2024. This decision comes as the airline reassesses its commercial and staffing needs in response to fluctuating travel demand and delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing. The pause affects new hire classes scheduled for September, October, and November, with no new training sessions planned for December. Those with conditional job offers will now be rescheduled for training in 2025.
This move aligns American Airlines with other major carriers like Delta and United, which have also scaled back their pilot hiring plans this year. Southwest Airlines has similarly suspended new pilot training due to a slowdown in Boeing 737 MAX deliveries and other operational considerations.
American Airlines’ Vice President of Flight Operations, Russ Moore, highlighted that the airline had hired and trained a record number of pilots in 2023, surpassing its needs for the summer of 2024. This overachievement has allowed the airline to transition to a more traditional hiring approach, reducing its targets for 2024. Moore also pointed out that aircraft delivery delays, particularly for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and 737 MAX jets, have contributed to the decision to pause hiring.
Despite the hiring freeze, American Airlines continues to face significant pilot retirements, with up to 850 pilots expected to retire annually over the next five years. This ongoing attrition underscores the complex balancing act airlines must perform between managing current staffing levels and preparing for future needs.
The airline’s decision reflects broader industry trends as carriers navigate the post-pandemic recovery, fluctuating travel demand, and supply chain challenges. As American Airlines optimizes its capacity and talent growth plans, the pause in pilot hiring is a strategic move to ensure the airline can meet its operational needs effectively.
