United Airlines will pause pilot hiring this spring due to Boeing delivery delays. The pause will affect new hire classes in May and June, with a likely resumption in July. Boeing has been experiencing production flaws, leading to delays in aircraft certification and manufacturing. United was supposed to receive 43 Boeing 737 Max 8 and 34 Max 9 models this year but will only get 37 and 19, respectively. The delay also impacts the planned delivery of 80 Max 10s in 2024.
Other U.S. carriers have also slowed pilot growth due to a shortage of aviators and slow aircraft deliveries from Boeing and Airbus. American Airlines hired about 2,000 pilots last year and expects to add around 1,300 this year. Delta Air Lines is halving its pilot hiring after a record hiring in 2023, and Southwest Airlines will pause pilot hiring after a new-hire class this month. Some carriers like Spirit Airlines have stopped pilot hiring altogether to reduce costs.
United Airlines is facing delays in pilot hiring due to Boeing delivery delays. The airline will pause new hire classes in May and June, with plans to resume in July. Boeing has been struggling with production flaws such as incorrectly drilled holes on the fuselage and missing bolts on the Max 9. United was expecting to receive 43 Boeing 737 Max 8 and 34 Max 9 models this year, but will likely only get 37 and 19. The Max 10, the largest model in the Max family, has not been certified yet by the FAA, leading to delays in deliveries. Other U.S. carriers, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, have also slowed pilot hiring due to a shortage of aviators and slow aircraft deliveries. American Airlines hired about 2,000 pilots last year and expects to add around 1,300 this year, while Delta Air Lines is halving its pilot hiring. Southwest Airlines will pause pilot hiring after a new-hire class this month. Some carriers, like Spirit Airlines, have stopped pilot hiring altogether to slow growth and reduce costs.
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