How much vacation do pilots get?

The average pilot spends 225 hours per month between flight time and ground duties, however, they are afforded anywhere from 12 to 20 days off per month depending on seniority.

How many days off do pilots get a year?

We average 11-14 days off per month and most pilots will fly several weekends and most holidays unless you are senior. This usually means four 4-day trips (for me) with 2-4 days off between trips. Some senior pilots can get weekends off and choose to only fly 60-70 hours with 16-17 days off.

Do pilots get free vacations?

Many airlines give their pilots access to unlimited travel on what is called an 'ID90' basis. ID90 is where the flight ticket price is discounted by 90% but on a standby basis, i.e. they will only get on the flight if there is a spare seat available – if the flight is full they won't get on.

Do pilots get to go on vacation?

Pilots at both majors and regionals typically get twelve days off per month when they are new to the airline and until they build some seniority. There is not set amount of days off per week, but it usually varies from two to three days off weekly.

How many days are pilots away from home?

In terms of actual days, some publications say most short-haul pilots will either travel home every day if possible or work for five days and then spend three or four days at home. Long-haul pilots are said to spend more time away from home, although they do get 10 to 15 days off per month to see their families.

What's the Annual Salary of an Airline Pilot

Do pilots have a lot of free time?

FAQ. Do pilots have free time? Yes, pilots have free time. Junior pilots have a minimum of 12 days off per month, whereas the average pilot gets 15 days off per month and a senior pilot can enjoy up to 20 days off per month.

Do pilots get free hotels?

The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute. Generally, if pilots need to travel and stay away from home when they are not on a trip, they are responsible for their own accommodations.

Do pilots get Christmas off?

It's rather well established that junior staff members at airlines carry the companies through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most employees make bonuses on Christmas, but the majority of pilots who can have an off day on Christmas take advantage of this.

Do airline pilots families fly free?

Family members may fly free when space is available or at discounted rates. Flying stand-by is a common benefit, but it can be challenging when there is a group. Some airlines provide “buddy passes” to pilots to share with friends and families.

How much a pilot makes a month?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing monthly salaries as high as $12,667 and as low as $1,667, the majority of Airline Pilot salaries currently range between $2,791 (25th percentile) to $6,250 (75th percentile) across the United States.

How many days a week do pilots work?

Pilots operate in a 24-hour, 7 days a week, 365 days per year environment. They often set out to work as most people are heading home for the day or getting ready to sleep.

Do pilots only get paid for flight time?

Airline pilots don't necessarily get paid a “salary”. Instead, pilots are paid per flight hour. Meaning a pilot is only paid while their airplane is running. As of May 2021, the median annual earnings for airline pilots was $202,180.

How many hours a week do pilots work?

Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include several days of work followed by some days off.

Do pilots have a good work life balance?

Being a successful airline pilot is not like a 9-to-5 job. Pilots can't expect to put in their hours, come home, and expect a warm, home-cooked meal every day. Even the hours of pilot schedules can vary. Some days, pilots will work for five hours.

Do pilots go home every night?

Do pilots go home every night? Flight instructors and pilots who fly short-haul domestic flights are able to be home every night more or less; however, airline pilots who fly longer routes are unable to go home every night and can be away from home for up to two weeks at a time.

Do pilots get summer off?

On a variable roster pattern, which is often used at leisure airlines, you will likely work much harder in the summer than the winter due to the operational requirements. Therefore, you will have anywhere between about 9 and 13 days off a month as a short haul pilot, depending on the airline and the type of operation.

What benefits do pilots get?

These include health, life, dental, and vision insurance and a retirement plan. You also receive paid vacation time, sick days, holidays, and other personal time off benefits. Most airlines provide per diem to cover food expenses, etc. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits is the pilot's schedule.

What are the perks of being a pilot?

Can a pilots wife fly with them?

Yes, the airlines know they have married couples in their cockpits and they're okay with it. I'm sure there are a handful flying together at each of the majors. No one else wastes time thinking about it.

Do pilots get tired of flying?

Fatigue is particularly prevalent among pilots because of "unpredictable work hours, long duty periods, circadian disruption, and insufficient sleep". These factors can occur together to produce a combination of sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm effects, and 'time-on task' fatigue.

Do pilots have time for family?

Do pilots get to spend time with their family? Yes. Often more time than in a typical job, but it really depends on the employer. The hard part is that key dates may not be available such as birthdays, graduations, social functions and the partner and/or children must attend without one member of the family present.

Do pilots stay up all night?

The simple answer is yes, pilots do, and are allowed to sleep during flight but there are strict rules controlling this practice.

How many flights can a pilot fly in a day?

Nature of flights

Indeed, pilots flying long-haul only operate one or potentially two flights each day, while those making short hops can even operate as many as four to five flights a day, and a turboprop pilot will operate even more.

Do pilots switch on long flights?

A: Pilots have rest periods during long flights. There are always two pilots on duty. If a pilot that is on duty needs to use the lavatory, there are procedures to bring another pilot or a flight attendant into the flight deck to guard the door while the pilot is in the lavatory.

How long do pilots stay in a city?

The most labor-intensive schedule might place a pilot out of base for 12-15 nights in a month. An entire month's schedule for a "line holder" commonly includes four 4-day trips. Three of these nights are spent away from home, while the fourth day of the trip lands the crew member back in their domicile city.