American Airlines
American Airlines is a major U.S. carrier with one of the world’s largest domestic and international networks. The airline serves more than 350 destinations in over 60 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
Headquarters
Fort Worth, TX
Pilot Bases
10
Aircraft Fleet
1022
Hiring
Active
Aircraft Fleet & Notes
American continues modernizing its fleet with new mainline and regional aircraft.
The airline has 383 firm aircraft commitments, including Airbus A320-family, Boeing 737-family, Boeing 787-family and Embraer E175 aircraft.
American introduced its premium Boeing 787-9 configuration and Airbus A321XLR in 2025.
The A321XLR will support transcontinental and international routes as additional aircraft are delivered.
American plans to increase its lie-flat and Premium Economy seating by 50% by the end of the decade.
The airline’s fleet strategy is focused on expanding premium seating, replacing older aircraft and supporting domestic and international growth.
Pilot Retirements
Hiring & Career Outlook
Current hiring: American Airlines continues accepting applications for mainline pilot positions, although the company has not published a specific pilot hiring target for 2026.
Mainline pilot group: Approximately 14,970 active mainline pilots were employed as of December 31, 2025.
Current fleet: American reported 1,022 mainline aircraft as of March 31, 2026, an increase of 3.8% from the previous year.
Fleet growth: American expects to receive 49 new aircraft during 2026, including new narrowbody, widebody and regional aircraft.
International growth: American plans to expand its international-capable fleet from 139 aircraft in 2025 to approximately 200 aircraft by the end of the decade.
Premium and widebody growth: The airline expects to increase its lie-flat seating by more than 50% by the end of the decade, supported by additional Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
Hub expansion: American plans to grow toward approximately 500 daily departures at Chicago, 400 at Philadelphia and Miami, and 300 at Phoenix.
Overall outlook: Positive over the longer term, supported by fleet deliveries, international-capable aircraft growth, larger hub operations and continued investment in American’s future pilot pipeline.
Pay Notes
Monthly guarantees: Long-call reserve pilots receive a 73-hour monthly guarantee, while short-call reserve pilots receive 76 hours. Standard bid lines generally average 74 to 82 credited hours.
Trip pay protections: Pilots receive the greater of scheduled or actual block time. Trips generally pay at least 5 hours and 15 minutes per calendar day, with additional time-away-from-base protections.
Premium flying: Open trips may be offered at 150%, 175% or 200% of the normal hourly rate. Company-cancelled premium trips are generally pay protected.
Holiday pay: Flying during designated holiday periods pays an additional 100% of the normal rate, plus 5 hours and 15 minutes of extra pay for each holiday touched.
International pay: Captains receive a $6.50-per-hour international override and First Officers receive $4.50. Qualifying narrowbody long-haul flying adds another $8 per hour for Captains and $6 for First Officers.
Retirement contribution: Beginning May 2, 2026, American contributes 18% of eligible pilot compensation to the retirement plan without requiring an employee match. Contributions are fully vested when made.
Profit sharing: Pilots participate in a company-wide profit-sharing program funded with 10% of pre-tax earnings up to $2.5 billion and 20% above that amount. Payments depend on company profitability and individual eligible earnings.
Per diem: The agreement established rates of $2.85 per hour domestically and $3.35 internationally, with annual adjustments that may increase the current rates.
Training and temporary duty: Recurrent training pays five hours per training day. Full-month qualification, upgrade or transition training is paid using the pilot’s monthly average line value. Qualifying temporary-duty assignments may include monthly meal, lodging or incidental payments.
Overall compensation outlook: American’s package is especially competitive when hourly pay is combined with the 18% retirement contribution, premium flying, international overrides, trip protections, holiday pay and profit sharing.
Important note: These provisions come from the 2023 Tentative Agreement and associated pay tables. Later amendments, side letters or implementation changes should be checked before treating every provision as current.