What does an Air Canada captain earn?

Air Canada says in its 2026 pilot vacancy that a narrow-body captain earns an average salary of $255,000 to $291,000 a year and a wide-body captain $315,000 to $397,000, in both cases plus expenses. These are averages quoted by the airline, not a published pay scale. The Canadian Press, working from a copy of the 2024 agreement and assuming roughly 75 hours a month, put an experienced Boeing 777 captain at more than $367,000 (the report gives no period).12

What do new pilots earn in their first years?

Under the 2024 agreement, newer recruits would earn between $75,700 and $134,000 (no period given), against almost $187,000 in year five, on the assumption of roughly 75 hours a month, The Canadian Press reported in September 2024. The hourly rate jumps by nearly 40 per cent in the fifth year, a bigger step than in any other year. The contract keeps a fixed rate for the first years, so pay does not depend on aircraft type, but the deal announced on 15 September 2024 cut that period from four years to two. New pilots usually start as a first officer on domestic aircraft or as a relief pilot on long-range international flights, according to the airline.12

What did the 2024 contract with ALPA change?

Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association reached a tentative four-year deal on 15 September 2024, averting a strike. A source told Global News that pilots would receive a cumulative pay rise of about 41.7 per cent over four years, starting with an average 26 per cent increase backdated to 30 September 2023 and followed by four per cent a year until 2026. ALPA said the deal would add about $1.9 billion of value for pilots over four years. On 10 October 2024, Air Canada said its more than 5,200 pilots at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge had approved the agreement, which is retroactive to 30 September 2023. In August 2024, 98 per cent of participating pilots had voted in favour of a strike. Under the 2014 contract, pilots had received a two per cent rise each year, Reuters reported in 2023.3467

What else comes with the job?

Air Canada names Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver as its pilot crew bases.1

What does Air Canada ask of applicants?

The 2026 vacancy asks for 2000 hours of fixed-wing time, a Canadian airline transport pilot licence with a multi-engine instrument rating, a Canadian passport and the right to work in Canada. Upgrading to narrow-body captain typically takes 3 to 5 years and to wide-body captain 11 to 15 years, the airline says.1