Find an airline pathway that fits where you are now. Compare cadet programs, pilot development routes and related training options, then go directly to the official source.
Sources checked · 13 programs & pathways
Regional airline cadet programs
Envoy Air
Cadet Program
A staged program progressing from cadet to cadet instructor, with mentorship and additional support as qualifications grow.
Where to start
Private pilot certificate; enrollment at an Envoy partner school and an HR interview.
What to check
Check the current partner-school list and the requirements for each cadet level.
Mentorship and a staged route toward a PSA First Officer role. The published program accepts candidates from colleges, universities and flight schools nationwide.
Where to start
Private pilot certificate for the initial cadet level; later levels require instructor qualifications and further interviews.
What to check
Review current reimbursement conditions and employment obligations before accepting assistance.
A time-building cadet route that does not require enrollment at a partner school or employment as a flight instructor.
Where to start
Commercial multi-engine certificate with instrument rating; 500 total hours for admission and a first-class medical.
What to check
The published requirements also specify remaining time to ATP/R-ATP eligibility. Check the airline's current application timing and acceptance capacity.
An early introduction to regional airline operations, recruiting mentorship and priority in First Officer recruitment and training-date selection after ATP/R-ATP minimums.
Where to start
Private pilot certificate and enrollment in good standing at a flight school, university or flight-training program.
What to check
Follow GoJet's application instructions and confirm current program intake.
Endeavor's current recruiting page directs aspiring pilots to Propel and its Talent Community, with a route toward Endeavor and Delta.
Where to start
Students and CFIs from eligible AABI-accredited U.S. university flight programs and selected affiliate flight schools.
What to check
Older resources may refer to STEP. Use the current Propel selection criteria and school list rather than assuming the former STEP requirements still apply.
These include commuter-airline gateways, school-linked time building and later airline progression routes. They are listed separately so you can compare the right kind of program.
Cape Air / JetBlue
University Gateway Program
A university, flight-instruction and Cape Air experience route leading toward JetBlue selection milestones.
Where to start
Students in eligible AABI-accredited university programs, normally beginning in their sophomore year.
What to check
This is a commuter-airline gateway rather than a regional-jet cadet program. Check partner campuses and service commitments.
A paid flight-hour route toward airline eligibility. LIFT publishes priority placement at Republic for graduates completing training and time building.
Where to start
Eligible LIFT graduates completing the time-building stage of their training.
What to check
Participants pay for flight time; compare the full cost and written terms with paid instructor or commuter-airline routes.
An older Mesa page still describes time building. Independent current intake and terms were not confirmed; Republic/LIFT's current Bridge Air page is listed above separately.
Build your next step around your current qualifications.
Use the career explorer to review private, instrument, commercial and ATP milestones before comparing airline entry criteria. Pilot Pathway HQ is an independent resource; listing a program does not imply endorsement or a hiring guarantee.