United Airlines has announced the launch of the United Military Pilot Program, a new industry-leading program designed to provide active-duty U.S. military pilots with conditional job offers as United First Officers.
On Thursday (September 28, 2023), United Airlines announced the launch of the United Military Pilot Program, a new industry-leading program which gives full-time active-military pilots access to conditional offers as a First Officer with the carrier. Under the new program, successful candidates must first take part in an interview and then complete all required flight training and certification before joining the airline. Candidates don’t need to hold an Air Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) at the time of application, but instead, they can obtain their ATP before joining United.
In Thursday’s announcement, United Airlines’ CEO, Scott Kirby, said,
"At United we are committed to investing in individuals who have served and are serving our country – whose military skills and background are invaluable to our airline. Launching this program is a win-win: our airline gets direct access to some of the best, most talented aviators in the world, and military pilots – and their families – get the time they need to plan their civilian career while still serving."
Also commenting on the launch of the new United Military Pilot Program, United’s Managing Director of Aviate and Pilot Strategy, and former U.S. Air Force and Navy pilot, Captain Michael Bonner, added,
“As a former military pilot, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to transition to a civilian commercial pilot, but through this new program we're providing the necessary tools, resources, and support system to ensure a direct path to the United flight deck. Whether you are an active-duty pilot or approaching retirement, I encourage you to join the largest widebody fleet in the U.S.”
Active-duty military pilots can learn more about the program or apply by clicking here. Current or former military pilots who already meet United’s mainline hiring requirements and are currently available, or are less than six months from availability, or are flying in the reserve component, can apply for a position as a United First Officer today by clicking here. United Airlines currently employs more than 16,000 pilots, including over 3,000 who have served or currently serve in the United States Armed Forces. Overall, United employs nearly 7,700 military veterans, and 1,500 actively serving personnel across various departments and functions, including many in leadership and executive roles.
At United Airlines, ‘Good Leads the Way.’ The airline operates the most comprehensive network among North American carriers with U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. As measured by available seat miles (ASMs), United is now the world’s largest airline. Shares in the company’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., are publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘UAL.’
Source: United Airlines/PRNewswire