Do you have free time as a pilot?

The amount of free time depends on their actual schedule at a precise moment in time, their experience and seniority. According to labor statistics, newer commercial pilots usually get at least 12 days off each month, while the average airline pilot gets around 15 days off.



Pilots in 2026 have a significant amount of "free time," but it is structured very differently from a typical 9-to-5 job. While a pilot might be "on duty" for 12 to 14 hours during a long-haul flight, international safety regulations (like the FAA's Part 117 or EASA's FTL) mandate minimum rest periods of at least 10 to 12 hours between shifts. On international "layovers," pilots often have 24 to 48 hours of free time in a foreign city, during which they are free to explore, rest, or exercise, provided they remain fit for duty. Additionally, many airline pilots work about 15 days per month, meaning they often have stretches of 3 to 7 consecutive days off at their home base. This "lifestyle flexibility" is one of the biggest perks of the profession, though it is balanced by the fact that pilots are often away from home for major holidays, weekends, and family events, making their "free time" as much a necessity for recovery as it is for leisure.

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We average 11-14 days off per month and most pilots will fly several weekends and most holidays unless you are senior. This usually means four 4-day trips (for me) with 2-4 days off between trips. Some senior pilots can get weekends off and choose to only fly 60-70 hours with 16-17 days off.

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Flight instructors and pilots who fly short-haul domestic flights are able to be home every night more or less; however, airline pilots who fly longer routes are unable to go home every night and can be away from home for up to two weeks at a time.

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Many pilots find the job to be very exciting, dynamic, and rewarding. There are numerous careers in the aviation industry that you can pursue following your schooling.

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For starters, it's a career that offers great freedom and flexibility. Pilots can travel all around the world and experience different cultures, climates, and landscapes. It's also a very respected and rewarding profession, mainly due to the high level of responsibility and skill that comes with it.

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However, airline pilots will work fewer days than a 'normal job', with most pilots having at least ten days off a month. This may be a slightly surprising amount of time off, especially as the job as a pilot is seen as many by well-paid.

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According to the Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the median salary for airline captains, first-officers, second-officers, and flight engineers in the United States is $203,010 as of 2021. However, those working for major airlines as airline transport pilots can earn a much higher airline pilot salary than this.

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Airline pilots can be home every night or could be away from their families for weeks at a time. It depends of the company they work for or the aircraft or routes they fly. Most quality of life issues that affect how much time a pilot can spent with his family is determined by a seniority based system.

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Each airline has its own vacation policy, usually negotiated by the pilot's union contract. Usually you get one week of vac after one full year of seniority, gradually increasing with years served, up to 6 weeks of vacation. After 32 years, as in my own seniority, I get 6 weeks.

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13 jobs with the most time off
  • Law professors.
  • School psychologist.
  • Dental hygienists.
  • Speech language pathologists.
  • Nurse.
  • Occupational therapist.
  • Judge.
  • Principals and education administrators.


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Being a pilot can be stressful at times. It requires immense concentration, quick decision-making, and a lot of patience. A pilot is responsible for the well-being of all crew members and passengers on board, and they sometimes have to fly under unpredictable conditions.

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Family members may fly free when space is available or at discounted rates. Flying stand-by is a common benefit, but it can be challenging when there is a group. Some airlines provide “buddy passes” to pilots to share with friends and families.

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  • Long and sometimes unpredictable hours. Pilots work different numbers of hours depending on several factors. ...
  • Training. You need a lot of training to be a pilot. ...
  • Flight school and training can be expensive. ...
  • Stress of the job.


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Most likely not, as the pilot was always meant to be actively involved in flying operations.

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“I loved the thrill of flight, freedom, the view and I wanted to travel! “I decided it was best to have a career doing something that you love. My ultimate goal was to fly a jet aircraft as a long-haul pilot because I wondered what it would be like to fly across the Pacific Ocean.

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How hard is a pilots life? Airline operations are nearly 24/7, 365-day-per-year operations. This means many weekends, holidays, early morning starts, and late-night finishes. Pilots lack control over these schedules, too, and we – at least at most airlines – operate on a schedule one month at a time.

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Do pilots pay for their own hotels? The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute.

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Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

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