The average age of commercial pilots is 40+ years years old, representing 61% of the commercial pilot population.

That’s an excellent question, but it’s important to understand that there isn’t a single, simple “average age” because the pilot population is diverse and the average is heavily influenced by several factors.

However, based on data from major aviation authorities and industry reports, we can provide a clear picture:

The General Average

A commonly cited figure is that the average age of an airline transport pilot (ATP) in the United States is around 45-50 years old.

This average has been increasing over the past two decades due to a key regulatory change: the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (2007), which raised the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots in the U.S. from 60 to 65.

Key Factors That Influence the Average

1. Career Path: Becoming an airline captain is a senior position. The typical path is:

   • Training & Licensing (Early 20s): Get private, commercial, and flight instructor certificates.
   • Building Hours (Mid-Late 20s): Work as a flight instructor, banner tower, or regional cargo pilot to build the 1,500 hours required for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
   • Regional Airlines (Late 20s/Early 30s): First airline job, often as a First Officer.
   • Major/National Airlines (Mid 30s and beyond): Transition to a major carrier, eventually upgrading to Captain. Captains are typically older than First Officers, pulling the average up.

2. The “Age Bubble”: Many pilots currently at major airlines were hired in the 1980s and 1990s