Cadet programs

Cadet and pathway programs

Checked October 16, 2026. Open and Rolling were accepting. This list is not a ranking.

A cadet program is one route, not the only one. Read how cadet programs fit in Choose your path.

Delta Air Lines
Propel Pilot Career Path (Collegiate & CFI path)
Open — accepting applications at last checkUnverified
Student/grad of a 4-year AABI-accredited flight program or a Propel affiliate flight school; actively instructing as a… Show more
Student/grad of a 4-year AABI-accredited flight program or a Propel affiliate flight school; actively instructing as a CFI and within 12 months of R-ATP/ATP minimums; 1st-class medical; passport; US work authorization.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Open — accepting applications at last check
JetBlue
Gateway Select
Open — accepting applications at last checkUnverified
Little or no experience: no higher than a Private Pilot certificate; 1st-class medical uploaded AT APPLICATION; US… Show more
Little or no experience: no higher than a Private Pilot certificate; 1st-class medical uploaded AT APPLICATION; US passport or green card; HS diploma/GED; must be 23 by the end of the ~3.5-year program.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Open — accepting applications at last check
Envoy Air (American)
Envoy Cadet Program
Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
Cadet: Private Pilot certificate + enrolled at a partner school + HR interview. Cadet Instructor: CFI with instrument… Show more
Cadet: Private Pilot certificate + enrolled at a partner school + HR interview. Cadet Instructor: CFI with instrument (CFII), Internal Review Board, Letter of Commitment.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
Piedmont Airlines (American)
Piedmont Cadet Program
Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
Commercial Multi-Engine with instrument; 500 hrs total; no closer than 200 hrs to ATP/R-ATP minimums; valid 1st-class… Show more
Commercial Multi-Engine with instrument; 500 hrs total; no closer than 200 hrs to ATP/R-ATP minimums; valid 1st-class medical; no criminal record or FAA violations.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
PSA Airlines (American)
PSA Cadet Program
Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
At least a Private Pilot certificate; current flight student or actively instructing CFI; ≤3 checkride failures; able… Show more
At least a Private Pilot certificate; current flight student or actively instructing CFI; ≤3 checkride failures; able to get 1st-class medical, passport, FCC permit; ≤700 hrs if R-ATP eligible or ≤1,200 hrs if you need full ATP.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
Republic Airways
LIFT Academy
Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualifyUnverified
Zero time to First Officer at Republic. Detailed entry requirements: Not found on the pages checked.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program
Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualifyUnverified
Private + Instrument + Commercial at a partner school, unless enrolled at an Elite Partner (can join from the start of… Show more
Private + Instrument + Commercial at a partner school, unless enrolled at an Elite Partner (can join from the start of training).
Last checked October 16, 2026. Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
Sun Country Airlines
College Bridge Program
Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualifyUnverified
Junior/senior in an R-ATP-qualifying major at UND, Minnesota State Mankato, or SDSU; Commercial + Instrument +… Show more
Junior/senior in an R-ATP-qualifying major at UND, Minnesota State Mankato, or SDSU; Commercial + Instrument + Multi-engine; attend an in-person recruiting event and interview. Then instruct full-time at the school (300 hrs dual given) before the FO interview.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
United Airlines
Aviate (partner flight school / university path)
Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualifyUnverified
Commercial + Instrument from a participating partner school; FAA medical originally issued as 1st or 2nd class; ≤2… Show more
Commercial + Instrument from a participating partner school; FAA medical originally issued as 1st or 2nd class; ≤2 regulatory checkride failures (≤3 total); HS diploma/GED; US work authorization. University path also needs an eligible R-ATP/pro-pilot degree.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Rolling — no fixed window, apply when you qualify
American Airlines
American Airlines Cadet Academy
Paused — at capacityUnverified
Zero time through CFII at a partner school, then a cadet program at Envoy, PSA, or Piedmont and flow to American.… Show more
Zero time through CFII at a partner school, then a cadet program at Envoy, PSA, or Piedmont and flow to American. Detailed eligibility: official FAQ could not be loaded (verify).
Last checked October 16, 2026. Paused — at capacity
Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air
Ascend Pilot Academy
Not open — wait for the next windowUnverified
Zero time up to a Private Pilot certificate; FIRST-CLASS MEDICAL REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION; 18+; HS diploma/GED;… Show more
Zero time up to a Private Pilot certificate; FIRST-CLASS MEDICAL REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION; 18+; HS diploma/GED; passport; driver's license; US work authorization; must self-fund your private license.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Not open — wait for the next window
Allegiant Air
Accelerate & Altitude Pilot Pathways
Closed — wait for the next windowUnverified
Accelerate: students at Allegiant's Part 141 university partners. Altitude: students at McAir Aviation.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Closed — wait for the next window
Frontier Airlines
F9 Pilot Cadet Program
Closed — wait for the next window
No prior experience needed; 1st-class medical; vision correctable to 20/20; passport; 19+ at start; HS diploma (BS… Show more
No prior experience needed; 1st-class medical; vision correctable to 20/20; passport; 19+ at start; HS diploma (BS preferred); US work authorization. With a PPL you can transfer to ATP; from a non-ATP school, apply once you hold a commercial.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Closed — wait for the next window
Frontier Airlines
University Pathway Program
Closed — wait for the next window
1st-class medical; 600+ hrs; ATP or R-ATP eligible; BS in an aviation curriculum at a pathway school; GPA minimum; 2… Show more
1st-class medical; 600+ hrs; ATP or R-ATP eligible; BS in an aviation curriculum at a pathway school; GPA minimum; 2 professor recommendations; passport; FCC permit.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Closed — wait for the next window
Southwest Airlines
Destination 225° Cadet Pathway
Closed — wait for the next window
No higher than a Private Pilot certificate (external applicants); able to get a 1st-class medical; 18+; HS diploma/GED;… Show more
No higher than a Private Pilot certificate (external applicants); able to get a 1st-class medical; 18+; HS diploma/GED; passport; US work authorization; able to relocate and fund the program.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Closed — wait for the next window
United Airlines
United Aviate Academy (ab initio school)
Closed — wait for the next windowUnverified
Zero time. Trains you through Commercial + Instrument, then you can join the Aviate program. Entry requirements beyond… Show more
Zero time. Trains you through Commercial + Instrument, then you can join the Aviate program. Entry requirements beyond that: Not found on the pages checked.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Closed — wait for the next window
Republic Airways
RJet Cadet Program
Unclear — could not confirmUnverified
Flight students (details Not found on the page checked).
Last checked October 16, 2026. Unclear — could not confirm
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway
Ended — this program no longer exists
N/A: program no longer operating.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Ended — this program no longer exists