Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Becoming a commercial airline pilot in the United States takes several certificates, ratings, medical examinations, tests, and a large amount of flight experience. The exact path depends on whether you train under Part 61 or Part 141, whether you qualify for a restricted ATP, and which airline or commercial operation you plan to join.
Quick Answer
To become a U.S. commercial airline pilot, earn a private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial certificate, and usually multi-engine privileges. You must then build qualifying flight time, complete ATP-CTP training, and earn an ATP or restricted ATP certificate. A commercial certificate alone does not qualify you for most Part 121 airline jobs.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA does not require a college degree or high school diploma to issue a commercial pilot certificate, although employers may set their own education requirements.
- A commercial pilot normally needs at least a second-class medical when exercising commercial privileges. Career-track students should consider testing their eligibility for a first-class medical early.
- The usual Part 61 minimum is 40 hours for a private pilot certificate and 250 hours for a commercial airplane certificate, but actual completion often takes longer.
- The standard unrestricted airplane ATP route requires 1,500 hours, while qualifying restricted-ATP pathways may use lower totals.
- Airlines set hiring standards beyond the FAA minimums, and meeting certificate requirements does not guarantee employment.
At a Glance
| Time Required | Commonly two to five years or longer, depending on training frequency, weather, finances, and the time needed to build airline-qualifying experience |
| Difficulty | High; requires consistent study, practical skill, medical eligibility, sound judgment, and repeated evaluations |
| Tools Needed | FAA medical certificate, logbook, study materials, aviation headset, computer or tablet, and access to suitable aircraft and approved training devices |
| Cost | Varies widely and often reaches tens of thousands of dollars. Aircraft rates, instructor time, fuel, tests, medical exams, equipment, housing, and extra training hours all affect the total. |
Warning: Before paying a large, nonrefundable deposit, consider applying for an FAA first-class medical certificate. A first-class medical is not required to begin ordinary private-pilot training, but discovering a career-limiting medical issue early can prevent a much larger financial loss.
Understand the Difference Between a Commercial Pilot and an Airline Pilot
In everyday speech, people often use “commercial pilot” and “airline pilot” as if they mean the same thing. Under FAA rules, they describe different stages and privileges.
- Commercial pilot certificate: Allows a pilot to be compensated for certain flying services, subject to operating rules and other legal limits.
- Airline Transport Pilot certificate: The highest FAA pilot-certificate level. An ATP or restricted ATP is generally required to serve as a pilot for a U.S. airline operating under Part 121.
- Airline employment: Also requires the airline’s selection process, training program, proficiency checks, and any required aircraft type rating.
A commercial certificate therefore opens the door to paid flying, but it is not the final credential for a typical airline cockpit.
Note: The common U.S. term is “ATP certificate,” not “ATPL.” ATPL is widely used in other aviation systems, but this guide follows FAA terminology.
Check the Basic Eligibility Requirements
The exact requirements depend on the certificate, aircraft category, and class. For the common airplane career path, important age milestones include:
- At least 16 years old for a student pilot certificate for airplanes
- At least 17 years old for a private pilot certificate
- At least 18 years old for a commercial pilot certificate
- At least 21 years old for a qualifying restricted ATP certificate
- At least 23 years old for an unrestricted ATP certificate
Applicants must also be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, subject to limited medical exceptions allowed by the FAA. A college degree and high school diploma are not FAA certificate requirements, although a school or employer may impose its own education standards.
Obtain the Appropriate FAA Medical Certificate
An FAA-authorized Aviation Medical Examiner evaluates whether an applicant meets the applicable medical standards. The certificate class needed depends on the privileges the pilot is exercising:
- Third class: Generally used for student and private pilot privileges.
- Second class: Generally required when exercising commercial pilot privileges.
- First class: Required for specified ATP and airline pilot-in-command privileges.
Career-track students often apply for a first-class medical early even though they may not yet need to exercise ATP privileges. This tests whether they can meet the medical standard associated with their intended career.
Medical applicants should provide complete and truthful information. A past diagnosis or medication does not automatically end a flying career, but additional records, testing, or FAA review may be needed. Review the FAA medical-certification guidance before the appointment.
Choose a Part 61 or Part 141 Training Path
Most civilian pilots train under either Part 61 or Part 141.
| Training Route | Best Fit | Main Characteristics |
| Part 61 | Students who want flexible scheduling or local instructor-based training | Flexible structure; the common private-airplane minimum is 40 hours and commercial-airplane minimum is 250 total hours |
| Part 141 | Students who prefer a structured syllabus, academy, or college program | FAA-approved curriculum, stage checks, school oversight, and potentially different certificate-hour minimums |
Visit the school, inspect its aircraft, ask about maintenance and instructor turnover, and speak with current students. Request a written estimate that separates aircraft rental, fuel, instructor time, simulator time, testing, equipment, insurance, and expected extra hours.
Pro Tip: Training regularly often costs less overall than flying only occasionally. Long gaps can lead to repeated lessons because skills and procedures fade between flights.
Should You Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree?
The FAA does not require a bachelor’s degree for a commercial or ATP certificate. However, some airlines prefer applicants with a degree, and hiring policies may change with market conditions.
An aviation degree may provide structured flight training and possible restricted-ATP eligibility when the institution and coursework meet FAA requirements. A non-aviation degree may provide a broader backup career. Before choosing an expensive aviation program, confirm that it has current FAA authorization for any reduced-hour ATP pathway it advertises.
Apply for a Student Pilot Certificate
You do not need a student pilot certificate to begin lessons with an instructor, but you need one before your first solo flight. Applications can be processed through the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system or through another authorized application method.
Before solo flight, a student also needs the required instructor endorsements and, for ordinary airplane training, an appropriate medical certificate. Review the FAA’s current student pilot certificate guidance.
Non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. nationals who train in the United States may also need a security threat assessment and a current Determination of Eligibility through the TSA Flight Training Security Program.
Complete Ground School and Private Pilot Training
Ground training covers aerodynamics, weather, navigation, aircraft systems, airspace, regulations, communications, performance, risk management, and flight planning. It may be completed through an instructor, school course, approved home-study program, or a combination of methods.
For a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating under Part 61, 14 CFR §61.109 generally requires at least 40 hours, including:
- At least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor
- At least 10 hours of solo flight training
- Required cross-country training and solo cross-country experience
- Night training
- Basic flight by reference to instruments
- Practical-test preparation
The legal minimum is not a promised completion time. The FAA reports that the average private-pilot applicant commonly needs about 75 hours. Weather, aircraft availability, training frequency, and individual progress affect the total.
The applicant must pass an FAA knowledge test and a practical test, commonly called a checkride. The practical test includes an oral evaluation and a flight portion conducted under the applicable Airman Certification Standards.
Gain Flight Experience
After earning a private pilot certificate, continue developing cross-country planning, weather judgment, radio communication, aircraft control, and decision-making skills. Each flight should have a clear training purpose rather than simply adding time to a logbook.
Flying with experienced instructors can expose weaknesses before they become habits. Pilots should also learn to make conservative go-or-no-go decisions, manage fatigue, recognize deteriorating weather, and maintain personal minimums that may be stricter than the legal limits.
Earn an Instrument Rating
An instrument rating teaches a pilot to control and navigate an aircraft primarily by reference to instruments and to operate under Instrument Flight Rules. It is one of the most important steps in an airline-focused training path.
Instrument training includes:
- Instrument scans and aircraft control
- Departures, en route procedures, arrivals, and instrument approaches
- Holding procedures
- Weather interpretation and avoidance
- Navigation-system use
- Partial-panel and abnormal situations
- Instrument flight planning and alternate requirements
An instrument rating does not make every weather condition safe. Thunderstorms, severe icing, turbulence, aircraft limitations, and pilot proficiency may still require a delay, diversion, or cancellation.
Obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate
A commercial pilot certificate allows a pilot to be compensated for authorized operations. It does not, by itself, permit the pilot to advertise and conduct any passenger or cargo service. Some operations require an appropriately certificated operator, additional experience, or compliance with Part 119, Part 121, Part 135, or other rules.
| Requirement | Standard Part 61 Airplane Path |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Total Flight Time | At least 250 hours, with required pilot-in-command, cross-country, instrument, night, and training experience |
| Medical Certificate | At least a second-class medical when exercising commercial pilot privileges in an airplane |
| Tests | FAA commercial-pilot knowledge test and practical test |
The detailed Part 61 experience requirements appear in 14 CFR §61.129. An approved Part 141 course may follow different FAA-approved minimums and sequencing.
Commercial training emphasizes precise maneuvers, aircraft control, professional planning, risk management, regulatory knowledge, and the judgment expected from a pilot who may be paid to fly.
Obtain Multi-Engine Privileges
Most airline-bound pilots obtain an airplane multi-engine land rating because airlines operate multi-engine aircraft. Multi-engine training focuses on aircraft systems, performance, asymmetric thrust, engine failure recognition, single-engine control, emergency procedures, and decision-making.
A multi-engine rating is added to a pilot certificate after the required training and practical test. There is no single FAA minimum number of training hours for an ordinary added multi-engine class rating, but the applicant must reach the required proficiency standard.
Students should compare aircraft condition, instructor experience, simulator use, insurance restrictions, and the amount of actual multi-engine flight time included in a school’s price.
Build Flight Hours and Professional Experience
A new commercial pilot may still be far below ATP-level experience. Many pilots become flight instructors because instructing offers frequent flying while improving communication, procedural discipline, and knowledge.
Common qualifications and hour-building routes include:
- CFI: Flight instructor certificate for primary and advanced flight instruction
- CFII: Instrument-instructor privileges
- MEI: Multi-engine instructor privileges
- Aerial survey or photography
- Banner towing
- Glider towing
- Traffic or pipeline observation
- Skydiving operations
- Part 135 charter or cargo flying when the pilot meets the operator’s requirements
Availability depends on location, insurance rules, aircraft, employer standards, and the pilot’s experience. Pilots must log time honestly and in accordance with FAA rules. Paying for questionable “time-building” arrangements or logging time without performing the required duties can create serious certification and employment problems.
Flight time is valuable only when it is legal, accurately logged, and supported by sound judgment and real proficiency.
Understand Full ATP and Restricted ATP Requirements
For the standard unrestricted airplane ATP path, 14 CFR §61.159 generally requires at least 1,500 hours of total pilot time, including:
- 500 hours of cross-country time
- 100 hours of night flight time
- 75 hours of instrument time in actual or simulated instrument conditions
- 50 hours in the class of airplane for the rating sought, subject to permitted simulator credit
- 250 hours as pilot in command or qualifying supervised duties, including required cross-country and night experience
Applicants must meet the detailed logging and credit rules in the regulation. Simply reaching 1,500 total hours does not guarantee that every required experience category has been satisfied.
Restricted ATP Pathways
A restricted ATP allows an eligible pilot to serve as a second in command while certain pilot-in-command limitations remain in place. Depending on the applicant’s qualifications, the total-time threshold may be:
- 750 hours: Certain qualifying U.S. military pilots
- 1,000 hours: Graduates of authorized bachelor’s aviation programs who meet the applicable coursework and flight-training requirements
- 1,250 hours: Certain graduates of authorized associate or bachelor’s aviation programs who meet the applicable requirements
- 1,500 hours with reduced cross-country time: Certain applicants who satisfy the specific restricted-ATP provisions
Reduced total time is not based on having any aviation degree. The institution, degree, aviation coursework, Part 141 training, and FAA authorization must meet the requirements in 14 CFR §61.160.
Complete the ATP Certification Training Program
Before taking the knowledge test for an airplane ATP certificate with a multiengine class rating, an applicant must complete an authorized Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program.
Under 14 CFR §61.156, ATP-CTP includes at least:
- 30 hours of academic instruction
- Training in aerodynamics and high-altitude operations
- Meteorology and adverse-weather instruction
- Air-carrier operations and transport-category aircraft topics
- Leadership, professional development, crew resource management, and safety culture
- 10 hours in qualifying flight simulation training devices
- At least 6 simulator hours in a qualifying Level C or higher full-flight simulator, subject to the regulation’s requirements
ATP-CTP is preparation for airline-level knowledge and operations. Completing the course does not itself issue an ATP certificate.
Pass the ATP Knowledge and Practical Tests
After ATP-CTP, the applicant may take the applicable ATP knowledge test. Subjects include advanced aerodynamics, weather, aircraft performance, navigation, air-carrier operations, regulations, human factors, and crew resource management.
The applicant must also meet the applicable eligibility and aeronautical-experience requirements and pass an ATP practical test. Depending on the pathway, an airline or training provider may conduct the ATP practical test together with an aircraft type-rating evaluation during new-hire training.
The FAA’s current ATP resources and authorized training-provider information are available on its ATP pilot-training page.
Apply to Airlines and Complete New-Hire Training
Airlines set hiring standards that may exceed FAA certificate minimums. They may review total time, multi-engine time, turbine experience, checkride history, employment history, training records, driving history, criminal history, and the applicant’s ability to work in a crew environment.
A selection process may include:
- Application and record review
- Technical and human-resources interviews
- Knowledge or aptitude testing
- Simulator or scenario evaluation
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Background and employment verification
- Medical-certificate verification
After hiring, a pilot completes the airline’s approved training program. Training commonly includes company procedures, aircraft systems, limitations, performance, emergency procedures, crew coordination, simulator sessions, proficiency evaluations, and any required type rating.
Gain Experience as a First Officer
New airline pilots normally begin as first officers. The first officer shares responsibility for flight planning, aircraft operation, checklists, communication, navigation, system monitoring, threat management, and safe decision-making.
Newly qualified pilots may complete supervised operating experience before being released to regular line flying. They must continue to meet the airline’s training, checking, medical, currency, and performance requirements.
A first officer should not treat the position as passive time-building. Airlines expect active monitoring, clear communication, procedural discipline, and a willingness to question or intervene when safety requires it.
Upgrade From First Officer to Captain
Becoming a captain requires more than holding an unrestricted ATP certificate. The pilot must meet the carrier’s experience standards, complete captain-upgrade training, pass the required evaluations, and have sufficient seniority for an available position.
Captain responsibilities include final operational authority, leadership, risk management, crew coordination, regulatory compliance, and decisions involving weather, maintenance, fuel, diversions, and passenger safety.
Airline pilots must continue recurrent training and checking throughout their careers. Pilots employed by U.S. airlines operating under Part 121 are also subject to the federal age-65 employment limit for airline-pilot service.
Commercial Airline Pilot Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment of airline and commercial pilots to grow 4% from 2024 through 2034. It projects about 18,200 openings per year on average, including openings created when workers retire, leave the labor force, or move to other occupations.
These projections do not mean every airline will hire continuously. Hiring can change with aircraft deliveries, retirements, route demand, training capacity, mergers, fuel costs, economic conditions, and company finances. Applicants should evaluate current airline requirements rather than relying on broad claims about a permanent pilot shortage.
Before making a training decision, compare the current FAA rules, medical requirements, school completion data, total financing cost, employer minimums, and realistic backup career options. Reliable regulatory information is more useful than unrelated travel-product advice or promises of guaranteed airline placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic FAA requirements to become a commercial pilot?
For the common airplane path, an applicant must be at least 18, meet the English-language requirement, receive the required training and endorsements, log the applicable aeronautical experience, and pass the commercial-pilot knowledge and practical tests. A pilot exercising commercial privileges generally needs at least a second-class medical certificate.
Is a high school diploma required for an FAA commercial pilot certificate?
No. A high school diploma is not an FAA eligibility requirement for a commercial pilot certificate. A flight school, college, airline, or other employer may set separate education requirements.
Do airline pilots need a bachelor’s degree?
The FAA does not require a bachelor’s degree for an ATP certificate. Some airlines prefer or require a degree, while others do not. Applicants should check the current hiring standards of each employer.
How many flight hours are needed to become an airline pilot?
The normal unrestricted airplane ATP route requires 1,500 total hours plus specific cross-country, night, instrument, class, and pilot-in-command experience. Eligible restricted-ATP applicants may qualify with lower total-time thresholds such as 750, 1,000, or 1,250 hours.
Can a commercial pilot certificate alone qualify someone for an airline job?
Not for a normal Part 121 airline pilot position. A commercial certificate permits certain compensated flying, but a Part 121 first officer generally needs an ATP or restricted ATP certificate and must complete the airline’s hiring and training process.
What medical certificate should an aspiring airline pilot obtain?
A student or private pilot generally needs at least a third-class medical, and a pilot exercising commercial privileges generally needs a second-class medical. Career-track students often apply for a first-class medical early to evaluate whether they can meet the standard used for ATP pilot-in-command privileges.
How long does it take to become a commercial airline pilot?
A full-time student may complete the initial certificates and ratings relatively quickly, but building ATP-qualifying experience commonly makes the complete path take two to five years or longer. Part-time schedules, weather, finances, aircraft availability, and employment opportunities can extend the timeline.
What are the typical responsibilities of an airline pilot?
Airline pilots plan and operate flights, review weather and aircraft status, calculate performance, communicate with air traffic control, manage automation and aircraft systems, coordinate with crewmembers, respond to abnormal conditions, and protect the safety of passengers, crew, and the aircraft.
What are the current career prospects for airline pilots?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4% overall employment growth for airline and commercial pilots from 2024 through 2034, with about 18,200 openings per year on average. Hiring remains cyclical and varies by employer, aircraft fleet, economic conditions, and pilot experience.
Can a U.S. airline pilot fly after age 65?
A Part 121 airline cannot employ a person as a pilot after age 65. A pilot may still be eligible for other aviation work or flying outside Part 121 if the pilot meets the applicable certificate, medical, employer, insurance, and operating requirements.
Sources
- Federal Aviation Administration: Become a Pilot — student pilot eligibility and application guidance
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 14 CFR Part 61 — pilot-certificate, rating, experience, and testing requirements
- Federal Aviation Administration: Medical Certification — FAA medical application and examination guidance
- Federal Aviation Administration: ATP Pilot Training — ATP-CTP and restricted-ATP resources
- Transportation Security Administration: Flight Training Security Program — security eligibility for covered non-U.S. flight-training candidates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Airline and Commercial Pilots — duties, employment data, and 2024–2034 job outlook