United Airlines today further expanded its innovative Aviate pilot program by signing a purchase agreement to become the only major U.S. carrier to own a flight training academy.

The United Aviate Academy will give the airline more visibility and direction over the recruitment, development and training of future pilots, enabling United to increase the percentage of women and minorities who become pilots. United expects approximately 300 students to graduate from the United Aviate Academy in its first full year of operation.

The flight training academy – currently operating as Westwind School of Aeronautics in Phoenix, Arizona – will be an extension of the airline’s Aviate program, a pilot development and recruitment program that offers aspiring aviators the most direct path to achieve their dreams of becoming a United pilot. The airline anticipates hiring more than 10,000 pilots by 2029.

In addition to launching the flight academy, United plans to reduce financial barriers to joining the program, making the dream of becoming a United pilot even more accessible to more individuals. The carrier is currently engaging with financial institutions with the goal of making attractive financing terms – such as industry-tailored grace periods and competitive interest rates – available to qualified individuals. Additionally, United plans to launch a scholarship program specifically focused on encouraging women and minorities to consider joining the United family. The airline will provide more details regarding these financing options as they become available.

Aviate partners currently include:

Aviate: Love to fly, born to lead

Last year, United launched Aviate, its innovative pilot recruitment and development program. Those who apply to Aviate and are successful in the selection process will receive a program acceptance job offer with United. Aviate also provides support and coaching for pilots to develop into leaders who exemplify the professionalism, level of excellence and commitment to providing safe, caring, dependable and efficient service that United expects from its pilots. Additionally, Aviate provides those who aspire to a career as a United captain with the most direct route to achieving that goal.

United’s Aviate career path program offers pilots competitive benefits, including:

• The most direct path within the industry to a major airline, with an Aviate regional partner minimum requirement of 24 months and 2,000 hours
• More options in program entry points throughout a pilot’s career and choice of select United Express carriers
• Increased transparency and clarity along the path from program entry to flying for United
• Improved career development, mentoring and access to United pilots and learning tools.
• Immediate inclusion in the United family, with access to senior leadership, site visits and tours, and certain travel privileges

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United Airlines today announced the launch of Aviate, its new pilot recruitment program and career website, offering aspiring and established pilots more opportunities and the fastest paths to achieving their dreams and becoming a United First Officer and, ultimately, Captain.

The program’s signature, structured career pathways offer pilots at all stages of their journey – from college training to regional airline flying – the most direct path to flying for United, as well as the quickest progression from college to the rank of first officer of any major airline program in the industry. Due to retirements, attrition and projected growth, the company anticipates hiring more than 10,000 pilots by 2029.

“With nearly half of our 12,500 pilots retiring in the next decade, combined with a period of strong growth at our airline, United is uniquely positioned to offer pilots the opportunity to get where they want to go in their careers faster than ever,” said Bryan Quigley, United’s senior vice president of flight operations and chief pilot. “With the most comprehensive global route network in the industry, and the most widebodies of any North American airline, United offers unparalleled opportunity for an exceptional and exciting career as we begin to welcome hundreds of new pilots every year.”

Aviate: Love to fly, born to lead

Those who apply to Aviate and are successful in the selection process will receive a conditional job offer with United. Aviate will also provide coaching and development for pilots to develop into leaders whom exemplify the professionalism, level of excellence and commitment to providing safe, caring, dependable and efficient service that United expects from its pilots. Additionally, Aviate provides those who aspire to a career as a United Captain with the fastest, most direct route to achieving that goal. United’s Aviate career path program offers pilots competitive benefits, including:

• The fastest path within the industry to a major airline, with an Aviate regional partner minimum requirement of 24 months and 2,000 hours
• More options in program entry points throughout a pilot’s career and choice of select United Express carrier
• Increased transparency and clarity along the path from program entry to flying for United
• Improved career development, coaching and access to United pilots and learning tools
• Deeper connections with our United family throughout the Aviate journey, with access to senior leadership, site visits and tours, and certain travel privileges

United is partnering with several of its regional United Express carriers, leading universities with established aviation programs, and training centers – including Lufthansa Aviation Training – to ensure pilots have the best opportunities to enroll in the innovative program. Current Aviate United Express partners are Air Wisconsin, ExpressJet, Mesa Airlines and CommutAir.