United Airlines’ Flight Academy Opens

Almost two years to the week, United Airlines made good on a promise to become the first airline with their own flight academy. They opened the doors to the United Aviate Academy, expanding their Aviate Program, announced in 2019. The program commits to hiring 10,000 pilots in the next decade and creating the largest North American fleet. 

United Airlines Aviate Academy

United Aviate Academy’s first class of students is 80 percent women or people of color. This puts them on the trajectory to exceed the airline’s hire goal of 10,000 new pilots by 2030. Additionally, they committed to training about 5,000 at the new Academy, half of those women or people of color.

“Our pilots are the best in the industry and have set a high standard of excellence,” said Scott Kirby. The United CEO attended an opening ceremony at the site. United President Brett Hart and Federal Aviation Administration Deputy Administrator Brad Mims were joining him.

“Recruiting and training even more people who have that same level of talent, motivation and skill is the right thing to do and will make us an even better airline. I couldn’t be prouder of this first group of students and look forward to meeting the thousands of talented individuals who will pass through these doors in the years to come.”

Impact of the Academy on the Industry

The cost and time commitment of becoming a pilot can be prohibitive for many people. Earning a commercial pilot’s license in the U.S. can cost about $100,000. Additionally, becoming an Airline Transport Pilot requires 1,500 hours of flight time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fewer than six percent of all pilots are women. People of color make up less than seven percent.

“As a United pilot for more than 32 years, it’s exciting to see these new students earning their wings and beginning their aviation careers, and I’m looking forward to them joining me on the flight deck one day,” said United Chief Pilot Mary Ann Schaffer. “We need more pilots and a more diverse pool of young aviators, and United Aviate Academy will help us achieve both goals.”