JetBlue has today announced the launch of their eighth Gateway development program, the Gateway Rotor Transition Program (RTP). This creates a pathway for U.S. military-trained helicopter pilots to join JetBlue as a first officer.

On Monday (August 21, 2023), JetBlue announced the launch of the Gateway Rotor Transition Program (RTP), which creates a talent pathway for U.S. military-trained rotary wing aviators to acquire the necessary skills and certifications to join the carrier as a first officer. Candidates accepted into the RTP Program will receive a conditional job offer prior to starting the program. After completing all FAA requirements and the syllabus of both flight lessons and ground school developed for Gateway RTP, candidates will proceed directly to JetBlue as new hire first officer trainees.
In Monday’s announcement, JetBlue’s Head of Safety, Security, Fleet Operations. Airports and JetBlue University, Warren Christie, said,
“We’re incredibly proud to support our veterans, both customers and crewmembers alike. With Gateway RTP, we will provide these accomplished U.S. military rotary wing aviators the additional skills and certifications necessary to bring their professional experience and technical abilities to JetBlue.”
JetBlue’s Gateway Programs’ Director, Nancy Hocking added,
“We’re proud of the incredible talent pipeline we’ve built with our Gateways. Not only does it provide a clear path for future pilots and technicians, by making these careers more accessible to talented individuals who might not have thought of them as a real option, we’re opening opportunities to a much larger audience while maintaining the highest standards required of these critical roles.”
In order to deliver this unique career pathway for military-trained helicopter pilots, JetBlue has partnered with SkyWarrior Flight Training LLC in Pensacola, Florida. In addition to SkyWarrior’s established commercial, instrument, multi-engine and Air Transport Pilot training, students will be immersed in JetBlue’s procedures, philosophy and operations from JetBlue pilots with prior military rotary wing experience, along with current instructors and mentors. JetBlue’s first Gateway RTP class is scheduled to start in fall 2023. Interested applicants can learn more about the program by clicking here.
Also commenting on the new training collaboration, SkyWarrior Flight Training LLC’s Vice President, Gregory Sigler, said,
“Training military pilots is at the foundational core of SkyWarrior’s business, and the Rotor Transition Program is one of the most satisfying training models we have been a part of. It is a privilege to work with such professional pilots and help bridge the gap to propel them into a new career…. It’s just really something special to be a part of. We started our first RTP program in 2017 and it is just unbelievable to see so many of our former students living their dream as professional airline pilots. These former service members and their families have sacrificed so much, it is just an honor to be the vehicle that propels them to the next step in their aviation journey.”
Celebrating their 15th year, JetBlue’s Gateways are the longest running development programs of any U.S. airline, bringing hundreds of skilled pilots to the carrier. The new Gateway RTP Program is JetBlue’s eighth Gateway program. Currently, there are over 500 active participants across JetBlue’s Gateways and over 10 percent of the airline’s 2023 new pilot hires are expected to come from one of the programs.
JetBlue is ‘New York’s Hometown Airline®’ and a leading carrier in Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO) and San Juan (SJU). The airline carries guests to over 100 destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, Latin America, the United Kingdom (London Heathrow and Gatwick), Paris, and Amsterdam (from late summer 2023). JetBlue Airways Corporation trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol JBLU.
Source: JetBlue/Businesswire