A First Officer in aviation is a commercial airline pilot who helps navigate and operate flights. They work in the cockpit with the Captain to assist them with the flight. They sit in the right seat and are the second in command (SIC), while the Captain sits in the left seat and is the pilot in command (PIC).

In 2026, the easiest way to distinguish between the two pilots on a commercial flight is by looking at the stripes (epaulets) on their shoulders or the rings on their jacket sleeves. A Captain wears four stripes, while a First Officer wears three stripes. The Captain is the commander of the aircraft and ultimately responsible for the safety of the flight, the crew, and the passengers. The First Officer, also known as the co-pilot, is second-in-command and assists with flying the plane and managing communications. On very long-haul flights in 2026, you might also see a "Second Officer" or a "Cruise Pilot" who typically wears two stripes. Additionally, in the cockpit, the Captain always sits in the left-hand seat, while the First Officer sits in the right-hand seat. While both are fully qualified pilots, the fourth stripe is the universal symbol of the Captain's senior rank and years of experience.