A pilot's perspective
01Job openingsExplore current pilot and professional opportunities across Atlas Air.
02Pilot compensationCompare pay rates, per diem, profit sharing, allowances, and benefits.
03Pilot Schedule · Part 1Watch how primary, secondary, and fixed pilot schedules work.
Your journey starts in the flight deck.
Explore the cockpit to discover careers, preparation resources, and life at Atlas.
Everything I wish I had in one place.
Practical resources for pilots and aviation professionals considering their next chapter—with direct insight from inside the operation.
Who is Atlas Air?Meet the company behind the world’s largest 747 freighter fleet.Explore ⌄
Atlas Air Worldwide
A global aviation logistics leader.
Atlas Air Worldwide connects global supply chains through outsourced aviation logistics, widebody cargo and passenger operations, and aircraft leasing.
Official company information · figures are time-sensitive
Choose your briefing
Explore the pilot journey.
Select a topic to go directly to its guide or video.
Experience shared forward
A personal route into Atlas.
I built Atlas Dream Job to give pilots and aviation professionals the practical guidance I wish every candidate could receive—from someone inside the operation who understands the journey.
Ask about an internal referral01Opportunities
Pilot openings
Find current opportunities and understand where your experience could take you.
Live from Atlas Air careers
50open positions
Updated from the official Atlas Air job board.
Search all Atlas jobsApplication readiness
Atlas Air First Officer requirements
Use this guide as a preparation checklist. The official posting and recruiting team remain the authority if requirements change.
01Certificates & documents+
- Current unrestricted FAA ATP with airplane multiengine rating and English endorsement
- Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
- Passport valid for at least 24 months, with no international-travel restrictions
- Legal name must match passport, work authorization, FAA licenses, and permits
- Ability to obtain a CANPASS permit
02Flight-time minimums+
- At least 1,500 hours total time
- At least 1,000 hours fixed-wing time; or 500 hours with a Part 121/135 operator
- Rotary military flight-training graduates: at least 250 PIC fixed-wing hours
03Employment & screening+
- Legal authorization to work in the United States with proper documentation
- Successful DOT pre-employment drug test
- Age 23 minimum and below the applicable Part 121 mandatory retirement age
- Ability to pass a 10-year background check, PRIA, and PRD evaluation
- Five years of domestic and/or foreign training records or supporting documents
04Operational readiness+
- Available for reserve duty, weekends, evenings, and holidays
- Working knowledge of regulations applicable to FAR Part 121 operations
- Ability to meet First Officer uniform appearance standards
- Excellent communication, leadership, and timely decision-making skills
05Preferred experience+
- 2,500 hours in Part 121, 135, 91, or military operations
- 500 hours turbine time and more than 200 hours flown in the last 12 months
- Wide-body, PIC, military, international, or complex-avionics experience
- Multi-crew CRM/TEM and sophisticated instrument-flight experience
- Aviation-related bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
02Application toolkit
Prepare with confidence
Build a clear application and walk into the interview knowing what to expect.
Pilot résumé
A streamlined, compelling CV designed to make your experience easy for recruitment to understand.
Improve your résumé →
Interview study guide
A focused guide for referral candidates preparing for technical and HR panel interviews.
Get the guide →
Official aviation resources
Direct shortcuts to essential licensing, medical, and study resources.
04Know the contract
Pilot compensation
Understand training pay, active-line compensation, scheduling, vacation, and the agreements behind them.
Pilot compensation explained
▶ Play video here
Videos disponibles en españolElige la versión en español de cada tema
¿Por qué elegí Atlas Air?Ver en YouTube ↗
Horario de pilotos · Parte 1Líneas primarias, secundarias y fijasVer en YouTube ↗
Horario de pilotos · Parte 2Reserva, base externa y VTOVer en YouTube ↗
Pago y compensación · Parte 2Piloto de línea activaVer en YouTube ↗
Compensación durante el entrenamiento · Parte 1Compensación salarial inicial de pilotosVer en YouTube ↗
Historical compensation reference
How pilot pay comes together
Explore the compensation package, aircraft and seat rates, and anonymized examples of real pay received at different stages of a pilot's first year.
2025 historical reference
Compensation package *USD
Select an aircraft, seat, and year of service to compare hourly rates and see a simple 64-hour guaranteed-pay estimate.
| Year of service | Hourly rate · USD | Select |
|---|
Real examples · 2023
Actual payslip samples
These anonymized examples show how regular pay, per diem, reimbursements, taxes, benefits, and deductions appeared during training, after line check, and across the first year.
Open all samples as PDF ↗Important: These are personal historical examples. Actual compensation varies by contract, aircraft, seat, seniority, schedule, benefits, deductions, taxes, and later contractual changes. Verify current rates with official recruiting and contractual sources.
05Start early
University pathway & Cadet Academy
The Atlas Cadet Academy offers an early-career route through flight training, professional development, and exposure to Atlas Air's global culture. Participation and certification do not guarantee employment.
Explore the Cadet Academy ↗06Flight deck essentials
Pilot headsets
Practical recommendations for clearer communication and greater comfort during long-haul operations.
Why purchase a headset
The B747 and B777 flight decks have continuous ambient noise from airflow, ventilation, equipment, and radio traffic. Each pilot uses an individual headset to hear calls clearly, communicate without raising their voice, and remain comfortable during long sectors.
Pilot picks
Choose the setup that fits your flight deck.
The first two products form a lightweight modular setup. The ProFlight S2 and A30 are complete aviation-headset alternatives.
Modular setup · 1 of 2Bose QuietComfort
Noise-cancelling comfort
A comfortable consumer headset that becomes flight-deck capable when paired with the compatible UFlyMike adapter.
View headset ↗
Modular setup · 2 of 2UFlyMike
Aviation microphone adapter
Adds a boom microphone and aircraft connection to a compatible Bose headset for a lighter modular solution.
View adapter ↗
Complete aviation headsetBose ProFlight S2
Lightweight in-ear option
A compact aviation headset designed for pilots who prefer minimal clamping pressure during long duty periods.
View ProFlight S2 ↗
Complete aviation headsetBose A30
Full over-ear protection
A dedicated active-noise-reduction aviation headset with an integrated boom microphone and cushioned ear cups.
View Bose A30 ↗Product links may be referral links. Check aircraft compatibility, connector type, current specifications, pricing, and return conditions before purchasing.
International pilot essentials
Banking across borders
Wise and Revolut are two options international pilots may consider for multi-currency spending, currency exchange, and transfers while travelling or relocating.
Personal experience only—not financial advice. The Wise link is a referral link. Compare eligibility, fees, exchange rates, and protections before applying.
08Explore beyond work
Staff travel benefits
Explore the different ways eligible Atlas Air crew members may travel using airline agreements, standby tools, and jumpseat access.
Standby airline travel
myIDTravel agreements
Search and book eligible standby travel on participating airlines, subject to the current agreement, listing rules, availability, fees, and taxes.
- Access participating interline partners
- Review route-specific listing instructions
- Travel remains space-available
Travel agreementsAgreement finder
Search the reference airline list
Important: This is an informational reference, not a booking tool. Airline agreements, eligible travelers, listing procedures, dress codes, priority, routes, charges, and availability can change. Always confirm current benefits in the official employee travel systems before making plans.
09Stay current
Latest from Atlas
Official company stories, social updates, and selected independent aviation coverage in one place.
Official Atlas updates
View Tailwinds ↗
Independent aviation coverage
Checking current headlines…Atlas Dream Job is independent. External headlines link to their original publishers; verify time-sensitive information with Atlas Air.
Let’s talk about your Atlas journey.
Ask a question, request referral guidance, or learn more about the application resources.
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