No, you do not need a degree to work as a pilot, although having a degree will help in advancing your career at most stages and especially in making the final move to a major airline.
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It joins other major airlines like Southwest, United and American Airlines that don't require their pilots to hold a degree.
Bachelor of AviationThe most common type of higher education to pursue when you want to be a pilot is a bachelor's degree in aviation. Some higher education institutions offer this degree as part of a Bachelor of Science (BS) program, and others offer aviation education as part of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) program.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Airline Pilot? Starting with zero experience, it takes two years to become an airline pilot. It will take you seven months to complete pilot training, then another 18 months to gain additional flight time and meet airline hiring requirements of 1,500 hours.
For aspiring flight attendants, Delta Air Lines, ranked by its employees as one of the best places to work, is also one of the most difficult places to get a job. It's harder to get invited to Delta flight attendant training than it is to get into Harvard University.
Delta airlines has announced that it is removing the requirement that its pilot candidates have a four-year college degree. It is now “preferred”. The Atlanta-based carrier becomes the last major U.S. airline to remove the college degree requirement.
Moving on to a major airline such as Delta is recommended, though. Starting pay for a Delta Airlines 737-800 Pilot is $66,000. Upon promotion to Captain, though, Delta pilots earn a starting pay of $189,000.
To fly as a commercial airline pilot, you will need 1500 hours of experience, which can be earned in two years. ATP's accelerated commercial pilot training programs provide a structured timeline and shorten the time it takes to gain experience and meet qualifications.
The time it takes to move on to an airline after you complete the professional pilot training program will also depend on how often you fly, but most people can gain the required 1500 hours within a year or two after earning a flight instructor certificate, making your total time to go from zero to airline pilot about ...