United Airlines
United Airlines is a major U.S. carrier with an extensive domestic network and one of the industry’s largest international operations. The airline serves more than 350 destinations across six continents, with particularly strong service to Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
Pilot Bases
9
Aircraft Fleet
1100
Hiring
Active
Aircraft Fleet & Notes
United continues expanding and modernizing its fleet with new narrowbody and widebody aircraft.
As of December 31, 2025, the airline had 634 firm aircraft commitments, including Boeing 737 MAX, Boeing 787, Airbus A321neo, A321XLR and A350 aircraft.
United expects to receive more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028.
The airline added 82 new aircraft during 2025 and upgraded another 119 aircraft with its Signature Interior.
By the end of 2025, approximately 68% of United’s narrowbody fleet featured the updated interior.
United’s fleet strategy is focused on increasing capacity, expanding premium seating, modernizing aircraft interiors and supporting domestic and international growth.
Pilot Retirements
Hiring & Career Outlook
Current pilot hiring: United is actively accepting First Officer applications with no fixed closing date.
2026 hiring target: United has discussed hiring approximately 2,500 pilots in 2026, though the final number may change with aircraft deliveries, training capacity and operational needs.
Long-term hiring: United expects to hire at least 10,000 pilots during the decade to support fleet growth and retirements.
Pilot group: United reported employing more than 18,000 pilots as of June 2026.
Minimum qualifications: United requires an unrestricted FAA ATP and at least 1,500 hours of total flight time. Preferred experience includes 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time and 100 hours flown within the previous 12 months.
Fleet growth: United operated 1,100 mainline aircraft at the end of Q1 2026 and expects approximately 1,180 by year-end.
Widebody growth: The Boeing 787 fleet is expected to increase from 85 to 101 aircraft during 2026.
Narrowbody growth: United expects its 737 MAX fleet to grow from 268 to 323 aircraft and its A321neo/XLR fleet from 66 to 91 aircraft by year-end.
Long-term deliveries: United expects more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028, supporting pilot hiring, upgrades and additional flying.
Overall outlook: Positive, supported by strong hiring plans, major fleet growth, international expansion and the long-term goal of hiring at least 10,000 pilots.
Pay Notes
Monthly guarantees: Lineholders awarded fewer than 70 credit hours through PBS receive protection up to 70 hours. Reserve guarantee is based on approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes per scheduled workday.
Trip pay protections: Trips generally pay at least 5 hours and 15 minutes per day. Additional duty and time-away-from-base rigs can increase credit when trips involve long duty periods, overnight duty or extended time away from base.
Premium flying: Open trips may pay 150%, 175% or 200% of the normal rate. Certain pickups and critical-coverage trips may receive even higher premiums.
Holiday pay: Pilots working qualifying holiday trips receive an additional 5 hours and 15 minutes of pay. Trips touching both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day may earn 10 hours and 30 minutes of extra pay.
International pay: Captains receive a $7-per-hour international override and First Officers receive $5. Certain narrowbody international flying may add another $8 per hour for Captains and $6 for First Officers.
Retirement contribution: Beginning January 2026, United contributes 18% of eligible pilot earnings to the retirement plan without requiring a pilot match. Contributions begin at hire and are immediately vested.
Profit sharing: The pool receives 10% of company pre-tax profit up to $2.5 billion and 20% above that amount. Individual payouts depend on company profitability and eligible earnings.
Per diem: The 2026 rates are $3.04 per hour for continental U.S. trips and $3.63 for other flying, with 2.5% annual increases.
Training pay: Short training events generally pay five hours per day. Longer training programs use a daily minimum, while assigned distance learning is also paid.
Additional protections: Unaugmented duty over 10 hours, long ground sits and qualifying reassignments can generate additional pay.
Overall compensation outlook: United’s package is especially competitive when hourly rates are combined with the 18% retirement contribution, premium trips, international overrides, trip rigs, holiday pay and profit sharing.
Important note: These provisions come from the 2023 United Pilot Agreement and scheduled 2026 rates. Later side letters or amendments should be checked before treating every figure as fully current.