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Initial application
Experienced first officer candidates apply directly to Delta Air Lines on its career site. According to Delta Air Lines, the Propel Pilot Career Path Program streamlines the journey to a Delta flight deck for students, flight instructors and current Delta employees.21
Delta Propel: the Propel Pilot Career Path Program
What is the Propel Pilot Career Path Program?
The Propel Pilot Career Path Program offers a defined pilot career path and a Qualified Job Offer with Delta Air Lines and Endeavor Air. The Qualified Job Offer is contingent on the candidate successfully completing every part of the programme. Participants only need to interview once with Propel to progress to Endeavor Air. Propel pilots who reach ATP minimums onboard at Endeavor Air and progress through Endeavor's Career Advancement Program (CAP), which includes a minimum of 24 months of active service as a captain, must meet all General, Performance and Professionalism Eligibility Requirements in CAP before transitioning to Delta.1
Who can apply for the Collegiate and CFI path?
Applicants must be a student or graduate of a U.S.-based 4-year AABI accredited flight education programme or have completed flight training at a Propel affiliate flight school. Candidates must be actively flight instructing as a certified flight instructor and within 12 months of meeting R-ATP/ATP requirements. They must hold an FAA First Class Medical Certificate, a current passport or other travel documents enabling the bearer to freely exit and re-enter the U.S. (multiple re-entry status), and be legally eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future.1
What is the Propel Talent Community?
The Propel Talent Community is for a student or graduate of a U.S.-based 4-year AABI accredited flight education programme or flight training student at a Propel affiliate flight school. Participants may attend on-campus events to strengthen industry knowledge and develop leadership skills.1
How does the Propel Scholarship Path work?
This path is by nomination from a Delta affiliate organisation.1
Who is eligible for the Company Pilot Career Path?
Applicants must have completion of 2 years (24 total months) as an active Delta Air Lines employee and been on active status within six months prior to application, in good standing. Candidates must possess an FCC Radiotelephone Operator’s Permit by interview date and a current FAA First Class Medical. An FAA Private Pilot Certificate (Fixed Wing) is preferred, not to exceed a Commercial Pilot Certificate (Single Engine-Fixed Wing); if you are not already attending an affiliate school, the maximum qualification you may have is a Private Pilot Certificate. You must never have interviewed for a Delta Air Lines pilot position outside of the programme. Applications go through an internal application on DeltaNet during the application window, in two steps. Delta lists the full eligibility for this path on the Propel page.1
About Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is a full-service airline based in the United States. It flies under the IATA code DL and ICAO code DAL. Its hubs are Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Detroit (DTW), Los Angeles (LAX) and 5 more. Its fleet includes the Airbus A220-100, Airbus A220-300, Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200 and 12 other types. Delta Propel Pilot Career Path Program and Endeavor Air are part of Delta Air Lines and have their own pages here.
Its cadet route is the Propel Pilot Career Path Program. Delta Air Lines also recruits licensed pilots as direct-entry first officers. Pilot vacancies are published on a careers portal, linked in the profile on this page. This page sets out the selection in 6 stages.
The six phases
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Application review
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Aon online assessmentPractise this phase
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Panel interview and MMPI-2 at Delta HeadquartersPractise this phase
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Virtual interview with a psychologistPractise this phase
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Pre-employment screenings
Where to train for Delta Air Lines
13 flight schools have a published link with this airline. Each entry says what the link is and who states it.
Academy of AviationFarmingdale, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
Jacksonville University School of AviationJacksonville, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology CampusSalina, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
Middle Georgia State University, School of AviationEastman, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
Minnesota State University, Mankato – AviationMankato, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
MTSU Department of Aerospace (Middle Tennessee State University)Murfreesboro, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
SunState Powered by Academy of AviationKissimmee, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
The Ohio State University – Department of AviationColumbus, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
Show all 13 flight schools
Western Michigan University College of AviationBattle Creek, United States · via Delta PropelCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
Delta Air LinesAtlanta, United StatesAirline training centreTraining centre certificate held by the airline
ATP Flight SchoolJacksonville, United States · ATP Career TrackRecruitment partnerAccording to the school
Hampton UniversityUnited StatesRecruitment partnerAccording to the school- University of Dubuque – AviationDubuque, United StatesRecruitment partnerAccording to the school
Delta Air Lines at a glance
- IATA / ICAO
- DL / DAL4
- Country
- United States
- Hubs
- Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Detroit (DTW), Los Angeles (LAX), Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), New York JFK (JFK), New York LaGuardia (LGA), Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle/Tacoma (SEA)4
- Fleet
- Airbus A220-100, Airbus A220-300, Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A330-900, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 717-200, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900ER, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 757-300, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 767-400ER5
- Cadet programme
- Propel Pilot Career Path Program1
- Direct entry
- First officers2
GROUP AIRLINES, ACADEMIES AND PROGRAMMESDelta Propel Pilot Career Path Program · selection guideEndeavor Air · selection guide
SALARYFirst officer, smallest aircraft: USD 109,212 per year (average estimate by consultant Kit Darby, 2024)Captain, largest aircraft: USD 420,876 per year (average figure in an overview of estimates by consultant Kit Darby, 2024)Delta Air Lines pilot salary
What does Delta Air Lines ask of pilots?
- Flight time
- Minimum of 1,500 hours of total documented flight time.2
- Medical
- Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.2
- Licence
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument, aeroplane.2
- Multi-engine time
- Minimum of 50 hours of multi-engine aeroplane time.2
- Turbine time
- 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time preferred (A minimum of 500 turbine hours must be in a non-powered lift aeroplane).2
What are the key requirements listed by Delta Air Lines?
Delta Air Lines lists further requirements on its own site.2
What are the required assessments for experienced pilots?
According to Delta Air Lines, competitive candidates take the Aon online assessment that tests various personality and skill based competencies. Successful candidates are invited to Delta Headquarters to participate in a panel interview and take the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Revision 2. Candidates who are successful in their face-to-face interview also participate in a virtual interview with a psychologist.2
When should military pilots apply?
Delta Air Lines encourages eligible aviators to apply up to 24 months before retirement or 12 months before separation. Military candidates must meet the pilot hiring requirements, including applicable flight hour and certification conversions.2
What costs will I incur during training?
According to Delta Air Lines, all new pilots receive a company-paid hotel room for their time in new-hire training and a company-provided uniform before OE. All other costs incurred will be the responsibility of the new-hire pilot.2
Is a four-year college degree required?
According to Delta Air Lines, a four-year college degree is highly preferred but not a requirement for first officer candidates.2
What is Delta building its fleet around?
According to Delta Air Lines, the airline has orders for Boeing 737-10s, Airbus A321neos, Airbus A330neos and Airbus A350 aircraft. The airline flies to 275 destinations in 50 countries.3
- 1Propel Pilot Career Path Program · Delta Air Lines · accessed 10 Oct 2026
- 2Pilot Careers Process & FAQs · Delta Air Lines · accessed 10 Oct 2026
- 3Pilot Careers at Delta · Delta Air Lines · accessed 10 Oct 2026
- 4Delta Air Lines (Wikipedia) · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 5Delta Air Lines fleet (Wikipedia) · accessed 11 Oct 2026
