Spirit Airlines Announces New Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway Program

AZ – In a recent announcement, Spirit Airlines has developed a new pathway program in collaboration with the CAE flight school in Phoenix, Arizona, called Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway. The program aims to give prospective pilots a more direct track to the cockpit and bring sufficient talent to the airline to keep operations running normally amid the industry-wide pilot shortage.

Students will complete their training with CAE and acquire 500 total flight hours before interviewing with Spirit. Upon a successful interview, candidates will receive a conditional employment offer and be given further mentorship from current Spirit pilots until they gain the required 1500 flight hours to receive their Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP).

Budget airlines such as Spirit and Frontier previously maintained a competitive advantage amongst the larger airlines in recruitment due to their lower hiring minimums and higher pay compared to the regional airlines that pilots work for before entering the major airlines. However, a new move by regional airlines to double their salaries for all pilots has left these budget airlines like Spirit to pivot and adjust their approach to acquiring talent. This move by Spirit Airlines is not new to the industry. Many airlines have already developed pilot pathway programs, such as the United Airlines Aviate Program, the Delta Propel Program, and the Southwest Destination 225° Cadet Pathway Program.

Although the program may not influence new people to join the industry, it should help Spirit attain existing qualified pilots. It’s certainly a step in the right direction to keep operations running smoothly and keep the airline competitive in the hiring process with the current shortage of pilots.