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Discovery or introductory flight (requirement)
American Airlines describes its Cadet Academy in press releases, most recently on 10 April 2026. These releases do not state whether applications are open now. According to American, graduates who successfully complete the programme receive a placement with one of its wholly owned regional carriers. Flow-through agreements allow cadets to transfer directly to the mainline operation once seniority accrues.312
American Airlines Cadet Academy
What is the American Airlines Cadet Academy?
The American Airlines Cadet Academy offers a path to becoming a commercial airline pilot by simplifying the process of transitioning from flight school to the flight deck. In March 2025, American said approximately 900 cadets from all backgrounds were enrolled.12
How does the interview process work?
According to American, Cadet Academy participants go through a single interview process, eliminating the need to interview with multiple airlines throughout their training journey.1
Where does the flight training take place?
In July 2024, American said its network of partner flight schools had grown since the 2018 launch to five institutions: Infinity Flight Group, CAE, Coast Flight Training, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Luke Weathers Flight Academy, and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. At that time, American had recently welcomed Infinity Flight Group as its first East Coast partner. In March 2025, American added ATP Flight School in the Charlotte area to its network.12
How can you fund the Cadet Academy?
According to American in March 2025, the Cadet Academy offers financial options for candidates accepted into the programme through the American Airlines Federal Credit Union. American Airlines team members can apply for the Elise Eberwein Cadet Academy Pilot Scholarship, which American describes as a million-dollar, decade-long initiative. In April 2026, American announced that the two third-round recipients would each receive $50,000 toward flight training. According to American, applications for the next round will be announced in late 2026.23
About American Airlines
Based in the United States, American Airlines is a full-service airline. It flies under the IATA code AA and ICAO code AAL. Its hubs are Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) and 6 more. Its fleet includes the Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A321XLR and 6 other types. Linked to American Airlines on this site: American Airlines Cadet Academy, Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines and PSA Airlines.
American Airlines runs a cadet route for future pilots: the American Airlines Cadet Academy. The careers portal for pilots is linked in the profile on this page. This page sets out the selection in 5 stages.
The five phases
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Application
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Aptitude testsPractise this phase
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Interview
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FAA first-class medical
Where to train for American Airlines
2 flight schools have a published link with this airline. Each entry says what the link is and who states it.
CAE Phoenix Aviation AcademyMesa, United States · via American Airlines Cadet AcademyCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
ATP Flight SchoolJacksonville, United States · ATP Career TrackRecruitment partnerAccording to the school
American Airlines at a glance
- IATA / ICAO
- AA / AAL4
- Country
- United States
- Hubs
- Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York JFK (JFK), New York LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), Washington National (DCA)4
- Fleet
- Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A321XLR, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-95
- Cadet programme
- American Airlines Cadet Academy8
GROUP AIRLINES, ACADEMIES AND PROGRAMMESAmerican Airlines Cadet Academy · selection guideEnvoy Air · selection guidePiedmont Airlines · selection guidePSA Airlines
SALARYFirst officer, first year: USD 116 per hour (2024)First officer, top of scale: USD 246.47 to USD 305.50 per hour (2024)Captain, top of scale: USD 360.85 to USD 447.24 per hour (2024)American Airlines pilot salary
What happens after graduating from the Cadet Academy?
According to American, graduates receive a placement with one of its wholly owned regional carriers upon successful completion of the programme. In March 2025, American named Envoy, Piedmont and PSA as its wholly owned regional carriers. In July 2024, American said it had recently established contractual flow-through agreements with each carrier, allowing cadets to transfer directly to the mainline operation once seniority accrues.12
How does the Elise Eberwein scholarship selection work?
The Elise Eberwein Cadet Academy Pilot Scholarship empowers American Airlines team members to advance their goals of becoming pilots. Candidates go through a rigorous application process, including a written application and multiple letters of recommendation. The process culminates in an all-day, in-person panel interview with current American pilots and senior leadership.3
- 1American offers clear path to pilot career with enhanced Cadet Academy · American Airlines Newsroom · published 18 Jul 2024 · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 2American Airlines Cadet Academy adds ATP Flight School in Charlotte to expanding network · American Airlines Newsroom · published 18 Mar 2025 · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 3American Airlines announces third round of Elise Eberwein Cadet Academy Pilot Scholarship recipients · American Airlines Newsroom · published 10 Apr 2026 · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 4American Airlines (Wikipedia) · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 5American Airlines fleet (Wikipedia) · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 6American Airlines homepage · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 7Jobs at American Airlines · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 8American Airlines Cadet Academy home · accessed 11 Oct 2026
