How long does it take to move from first officer to captain?

Some first officers have waited decades to become a captain while others can upgrade in just a few years, but we'll set an average range of 5-12 years from first officer to captain at a major airline. That means from 0 experience all the way to major airline captain, one can expect a timeline of 15+ years.



The transition from First Officer (FO) to Captain in 2026 depends on "seniority" and total flight hours, but the average timeline is currently 5 to 12 years at a major airline. While the FAA requires a minimum of 1,500 hours for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, most major carriers won't consider an FO for upgrade until they have at least 3,000 to 5,000 total hours and significant "time on type." In 2026, the "pilot shortage" has slightly accelerated this process at regional airlines, where upgrades can occur in as little as 2-3 years. However, at legacy carriers, the process is slower because it depends on a "vacancy" being created by a retiring Captain. The upgrade process itself involves rigorous "Captain Upgrade Training," which includes advanced leadership simulations, a grueling check-ride, and a high-stakes oral exam focusing on emergency authority and crew resource management.

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Some first officers have waited decades to become a captain while others can upgrade in just a few years, but we'll set an average range of 5-12 years from first officer to captain at a major airline. That means from 0 experience all the way to major airline captain, one can expect a timeline of 15+ years.

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A captain makes more money than a first officer Generally, depending on their experience and whether or not they perform other duties such as being an instructor, a captain with a major airline in the USA can earn more than $200,000 a year.

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If you wish to become a commercial pilot and fly aircraft such as the Airbus A380s, Boeing 747s and 777s, you will need to complete 1,500 hours of flight time after you complete your Bachelor of Aviation. It's a standard set by the airlines to ensure the safety of their millions of customers.

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Summary. Upgrading to captain in the US under FAA regulations requires a minimum of 1,000 flight hours as second-in-command at the airline level. Military pilots can credit up to 500 military flying hours towards the 1,000 captain qualifying hours.

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First officers at major airlines earn around $10,000 to $18,000 per month, while captains can easily earn over $20,000 per month during their first year as a captain. Experienced captains at major carriers like Delta or American Airlines have been reported to earn between $30,000 to $40,000 per month.

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On your journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot, your first stop after training and flight instructing will probably be flying as a First Officer. After gaining experience as a First Officer, you will then upgrade to Captain.

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Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are commercial airlines that pay the highest pilot salaries.

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In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65. However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer.

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The captain also flies the plane for much of the trip, but generally trades off with the first officer at some point. The first officer, the second in command, sits on the right side of the cockpit. He or she has all of the same controls as the captain, and has had the same level of training.

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Many airlines provide crew rest areas on their aircraft, where pilots can sleep during long-haul flights. These areas are usually located in the tail, cargo area or above the cabin of the plane and are designed to be as quiet and comfortable as possible. Other crew members prefer to use business class seats to rest.

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Commercial flying is all about getting where you want to be, and planting your feet. You are never too old to earn your pilot's license as long as you can pass all the physical and mental requirements. Nor is there an age limit on flying.

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In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65. However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer.

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