What certificates do you need to become an airline pilot?

Airline Pilots must have a valid Commercial Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating and Airline Transport Pilot Certificate to be Pilot in Command. You must have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time, be over the age of 23 and be able to pass a 1st Class Medical exam.



Becoming an airline pilot in 2026 requires a rigorous sequence of certifications. It starts with a Student Pilot Certificate, followed by a Private Pilot License (PPL), which allows you to fly solo and carry passengers but not for compensation. Next, you must earn an Instrument Rating (IR) to fly in clouds and low visibility, followed by a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), which is the legal threshold to be paid for flying. For airline work, you specifically need a Multi-Engine Rating and, ultimately, the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate, which requires a minimum of 1,500 flight hours in the U.S. (though "Restricted ATP" pathways exist for military or university graduates). Additionally, you must hold a First-Class Medical Certificate to prove physical fitness. Pilots often also earn a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate to build the necessary hours for airline hiring. Each stage involves written exams, oral questioning, and a practical "checkride" with an examiner to prove mastery of the aircraft and aviation regulations.

People Also Ask

In order to execute the privileges of a private pilot, you'll need to carry:
  • Your pilot certificate.
  • Government-issued photo ID card.
  • Medical certificate.


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Medical certificates keep pilots up to date on their health status, ensuring any health concerns are noted before they're in the air. While not all pilots will be required to hold a medical certificate, they are all required to receive an authorized exam to ensure they can fly safely.

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Challenging Career Path Most airlines require 1,500 hours of experience before even considering a candidate. This can take several years to obtain, depending on the type of job you get initially. There are ways to fast-track your career, however, and no airline has the exact same hiring standards or process.

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The answer is no. Getting an aviation degree or going to an aviation college is not a requirement to become an airline pilot. In fact, major airlines accept any and all bachelor fields and aren't the least bit concerned with what you studied in college.

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Ideally, becoming a pilot should only take 3 to 4 years, the time it takes to get your Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight. Getting an education is also good for a consistency of training, so it's preferred to wait to start your journey until you are in a certified school, like LETU.

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Eyesight Requirements and Regulations for Commercial Pilots To hold a first or second-class medal certificate, Federal Aviation Regulations require a pilot's vision to be 20/20 or better, with or without correction, in each eye. The standard for near visual acuity is typically 20/40.

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Annual Pilot Salary Range
How Much Do Pilots Make an Hour? » According to The May 2021 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $99,640 per year. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $202,180.

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Accelerated Flight School
These schools will allow students to receive all their initial certifications and ratings in as little as 10 months. This will be the fastest way to an airline career.

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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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