Getting hired at a regional airline in 2026 is not just about logging enough hours. Regional airline hiring requirements span FAA certifications, medical standards, flight hour categories, and interview performance — and understanding every category before you apply will put you ahead of most candidates.
ATP certificate is mandatory — Regional airline first officers must hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with a multiengine airplane rating.
Flight hours matter beyond minimums — Turbine time, recent experience, and instrument ratings all influence hiring decisions.
Interview preparation is critical — Airlines evaluate technical knowledge, judgment, CRM skills, and professional demeanor.
Build a strong foundation first — Parrillo Air Services helps pilots prepare for every stage of the airline hiring journey.
Every regional airline pilot position starts with the same non-negotiable credential: the FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with a multiengine class rating. This is not optional and no airline will substitute another certificate for it. The ATP is the foundation every other requirement is built on.
To hold an ATP, you must be at least 23 years old (21 with a restricted ATP issued under the Part 121 co-pilot rule), pass rigorous knowledge and practical tests, and hold a current first class medical certificate. The first class medical is not a one-time hurdle. It requires regular renewal, and any lapse in currency will make you ineligible to serve as a pilot in command at a regional carrier.
The FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is another credential that gets overlooked. You need it to operate aircraft radio equipment legally, and it must be in your possession during flight operations.
Pro Tip
Apply for your FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit early in your training, well before you reach ATP eligibility. The application is straightforward but processing takes time, and you do not want it to be the last bottleneck before a job offer.
FAA ATP certificate, multiengine airplane class rating
Current first class medical certificate
ATP PTS passage practical test standards
English proficiency per ICAO and FAA standards
FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
Minimum age of 23 (or 21 for restricted ATP)
A first class medical certificate is not optional for regional airline pilots. It is the document that confirms you are physically capable of performing the duties of a pilot, and it is subject to renewal at specific intervals.
Under 40: Renew every 12 months
Over 40: Renew every 6 months
AME exam required with each renewal
Disqualifying conditions must be reported and evaluated
Pilots with certain medical conditions may still qualify under special issuance protocols. However, any history of mental health conditions, substance-related issues, or neurological disorders requires careful FAA review before applying to an airline.
The standard minimum total flight time for a regional airline pilot position is 1,500 hours. But that number is a floor, not a competitive target. United Airlines requires an unrestricted FAA ATP certificate with a multiengine rating and 1,500 total flight hours, while preferring candidates with 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time and at least 100 flight hours in the last 12 months.
Those preference thresholds are where the competition actually lives. Regional airlines process hundreds of applications and the candidates who move forward fastest are those who exceed minimums, not those who barely clear them.
Total flight time: 1,500 hours minimum
Multiengine time: Expected in meaningful quantities
Turbine time: 500-1,000 hours preferred
Night flight time: Cross-country and night hours
Recent activity: 100+ hours in last 12 months preferred
Simulator hours generally do not count toward total flight time. Simulated flight time does not count toward total flight hours unless specifically authorized under Part 121 training programs.
Pro Tip
Do not count on turboprop or jet transition courses to substantially pad your logbook total. Focus on building actual flight time in real aircraft, particularly multiengine and turbine types.
Regional airline hiring requirements extend well beyond certificates and flight hours. Airlines increasingly evaluate the whole person in their hiring process, and several non-flight factors can tip a decision.
A bachelor's degree is not universally required at regional carriers, but it carries weight. Southwest Airlines requires ATP certification, a current first class medical certificate, and English language proficiency, and places specific weight on active recent flying.
CRM aptitude: Collaboration, communication, and de-escalation skills
Leadership: Supervisory roles, military command, CFI tenure
Recommendations: Chief pilot, senior CFI, or military superior
Background checks: 10-year review with full disclosure required
Drug and alcohol screening: Pre-employment testing mandatory; violations are disqualifying
Pro Tip
Start building your professional network before you need it. The airline pilot interview is as much about demonstrating judgment and character as it is about technical knowledge. References from respected aviators carry disproportionate influence.
Regional airline interviews typically consist of multiple rounds: a initial screening, a technical interview, and a simulator evaluation. Each stage eliminates candidates who are unprepared.
Initial screening: Resume review, eligibility verification, basic qualifications check
Technical interview: Regulations, aerodynamics, weather, decision-making scenarios
Simulator evaluation: Handling qualities, CRM behaviors, emergency procedures
Background investigation: Employment history, criminal record, credit check
Airlines are not just looking for technical competency. They are looking for judgment, communication, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. The best preparation combines knowledge review with scenario-based practice.
Parrillo Air Services in Lynchburg, Virginia has helped countless pilots build the foundation they need to launch airline careers. Our approach focuses on building real-world experience, developing professional judgment, and preparing students for every stage of the regional airline hiring process.
Structured Part 61 flight training
Multiengine ratings and turbine time building
Professional mentorship
Career pathway planning
CFI development for hour building
Discovery flights available
The FAA minimum is 1,500 total flight hours for an ATP certificate, which is required to serve as a first officer at a regional airline. However, competitive candidates typically exceed this minimum with turbine time, multiengine experience, and recent activity.
A college degree is not universally required by regional airlines, though it is increasingly preferred and can be a differentiating factor in competitive hiring environments. Learn more about education requirements.
Building 1,500 hours typically takes 2-4 years depending on training intensity. Many pilots work as Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) to build hours while gaining valuable teaching experience that airlines value.
Regional airline pilots must hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate. Pilots under 40 must renew annually, while pilots 40 and older must renew every 6 months.
Study FAR Part 121 regulations, practice scenario-based decision-making, review aeronautical decision-making frameworks like PAVE and IMSAFE, and prepare specific examples demonstrating your judgment, leadership, and CRM skills. Our interview guide has more details.
Parrillo Air Services in Lynchburg, VA provides comprehensive flight training to help you build the hours, ratings, and experience regional airlines are looking for.
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