How long does it take to upgrade 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.



In the 2026 aviation market, the timeline to upgrade from First Officer to Captain has shortened due to the ongoing global pilot shortage, but it still requires a significant "time-building" phase. Generally, it takes 5 to 8 years for a new pilot to become a Captain at a regional airline. This includes roughly 2 years of initial training and 1,500 flight hours to reach the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) minimums, followed by several years of service as a "Second-in-Command" (SIC). At a major carrier (like Delta or United), the path is longer; historically, it took 15–20 years, but in 2026, many pilots are reaching the left seat in under 10 years due to rapid fleet expansion and retirements. Legally, under FAA and international regulations, you must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of airline experience as an SIC before you are eligible to bid for an upgrade. The speed of your career depends heavily on your airline's "seniority list," your performance in the simulator, and the overall health of the global economy.

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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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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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United Airlines pilots approved a new four-year contract that is the costliest ever at a U.S. carrier, providing a cumulative increase in total compensation of as much as 40.2% over the life of the agreement.

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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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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).

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Pilot? It takes two months to become a pilot and earn your private pilot license. To become an airline pilot, it takes two years to gain the required 1,500 hours flight time.

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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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Currently, while the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards allow a person between the age of 60 and 65 to serve as pilot in command (PIC) of an airplane with two or more pilots, in international commercial air transport operations, the PIC must be paired with a pilot younger than 60 years of age.

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Southwest Airlines Provides Excellent Benefits Southwest provides its employees with excellent benefits and compensation. They also consider the pilot's family life when scheduling them for flights. Those aspects of working for the airline make the job a lot more enjoyable.

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How Much Is An Airline Pilot's Salary? The bottom 25% earn up to $121,000 a year. The middle 50% earn between $121,000 and $298,000 annually. The top 25% earn between $298,000 and $768,000 annually.

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Yes, airplane pilots can wear glasses. (And many do.) If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you can still become a commercial, private, or military pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the military have certain minimum standards for prospective pilots.

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