American Grants Massive Pay Hikes to Regional Airline Pilots

American Airlines regional airline pilots are now the highest paid in the regional industry. PSA Airlines announced a temporary increase in pay, through 2024, that will see wages, for first year captains and first officers, at $146 and $90 per hour. Envoy Air and Piedmont announced similar raises recently, bringing the American regionals average pay 50 to 70 percent higher than the next highest regional carrier, Endeavor Air. (Endeavor is wholly owned by Delta Air Lines, while Envoy, Piedmont, and PSA are wholly owned by American.) Indeed, these new pay rates for American's regional partners are now as good or slightly better than first year pay at some low cost airlines. American recently admitted it had parked around 100 regional jets due to a lack of pilots; perhaps they will be able to attract more now with these higher pay scales. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: It was less than 20 years ago that some regional airline captains were making $20,000 a year or so. Things have improved quite a bit.