Regional airlines are where most career pilots spend their 1,500–5,000 hour years. Pay has improved dramatically since 2022. Here's what the regional world actually looks like in 2026.
Regional airlines operate smaller aircraft (typically 50–76 seat regional jets like the Embraer E175 or Bombardier CRJ-900) on behalf of major airlines under code-share agreements. When you fly on United Express, Delta Connection, or American Eagle, you're likely on a regional airline operating under that banner.
The major regionals include SkyWest Airlines, Envoy Air, GoJet Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Horizon Air, and CommutAir among others. Each has different pay scales, base locations, aircraft types, and critically — different flow agreements with major airlines.
Regional airline pay improved dramatically following the pilot shortage that began in 2021–2022. Where first-year regional FO pay once averaged $30,000–$40,000, it now commonly starts at $50,000–$90,000 depending on the carrier.
| Carrier | FO Year 1 | Captain Year 1 | Flow agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlines | ~$80,000 | ~$130,000 | United, Delta, Alaska |
| Envoy Air | ~$75,000 | ~$120,000 | American Airlines (direct flow) |
| Piedmont Airlines | ~$70,000 | ~$115,000 | American Airlines |
| PSA Airlines | ~$70,000 | ~$115,000 | American Airlines |
| GoJet Airlines | ~$85,000 | ~$140,000 | United (GoJet-United flow) |
| Horizon Air | ~$75,000 | ~$120,000 | Alaska Airlines |
Figures are approximate 2026 estimates. Always verify directly with the carrier — pay rates change frequently.
A flow agreement is a contractual arrangement between a regional and a major airline that guarantees regional pilots a job at the major once they meet certain requirements (typically ATP certificate, a minimum number of hours at the regional, and no disciplinary record).
Flow agreements are highly valuable — they remove the uncertainty of major airline hiring and give you a clear timeline to a major airline seat. The most established flows:
Flow vs. direct hire: Some pilots skip regionals entirely and apply direct to majors once they hit 1,500 hours. This is possible during aggressive hiring cycles but less predictable. The flow route gives certainty; the direct route can be faster in a strong hiring market.
Regional flying means short legs — many regional pilots fly 4–6 legs per day, each 30–90 minutes long. You're doing a lot of takeoffs and landings, building excellent basic stick-and-rudder skills, and seeing a lot of airports. The tradeoff is that you're also doing a lot of early mornings, overnight layovers in smaller cities, and high cockpit workload.
Quality of life at regionals has improved significantly as pay increased and pilot supply tightened. Most regionals now offer guaranteed days off, reasonable reserve schedules, and better pay protection than they did a decade ago.
Upgrade time (FO to captain) depends entirely on a carrier's growth rate and attrition. In a growth environment with flow pilots leaving for majors, upgrade times shrink. In a stable market they stretch. As of 2026:
Upgrading to captain matters not just for pay but because captains accumulate PIC time, which major airlines value highly in applications.
The hiring process at most regionals is straightforward compared to majors:
Apply to multiple carriers simultaneously. Regional hiring moves fast — some carriers offer class dates within 30 days of interview. Have your logbook current, ATP written passed, and first class medical in hand before you start applying.