Looking back from 2026, 2023 was an excellent time to start pilot training because it placed students at the front of a massive hiring wave. In 2026, the aviation industry is facing a significant pilot shortage, with estimates suggesting a shortfall of nearly 24,000 pilots globally this year alone. Major carriers like Delta, United, and American Airlines have been hiring at record rates through 2024 and 2025 to keep up with surging travel demand and a wave of mandatory retirements for captains reaching age 65. Starting in 2023 allowed trainees to complete their commercial ratings and build flight hours just as "cadet programs" became more aggressive with signing bonuses and defined pathways to major airlines. While the initial training costs remain high (often exceeding $100,000), the 2026 job market offers unprecedented career progression, with many regional pilots moving to "left-seat" captain positions or major mainline carriers in record time compared to previous decades.