Resume for Airlines: How to Write an Airline Pilot Resume

In the airline industry, being a pilot isn’t just about logging flight hours; it’s also about how clearly and precisely you present your credentials on paper. Airlines review hundreds of resumes, and even qualified candidates get overlooked if their resumes don’t meet technical expectations. In such a structured and safety-driven field, even small errors or vague descriptions on a resume can lead to disqualification.

A technically accurate and well-organised resume for airlines helps hiring managers assess your readiness for the role, whether you’re applying as a Junior First Officer or aiming for a Captain upgrade. In this blog, we’ll cover how to write an airline pilot resume that meets industry standards and tips to avoid standard formatting and content mistakes.

What to Include in an Airline Pilot Resume Template 

The content of your resume for airlines depends on your level of experience and the type of flying job you’re applying for (e.g., regional, international, cargo). However, several sections are standard across the industry. Here’s what you should include in your professional and commercial pilot resume template:

Contact Information

Start your resume with your full name, professional email address, phone number, and, if applicable, a link to a pilot-specific site or your LinkedIn profile. You may also include your license number if required by the employer. This section allows recruiters to identify and reach you. It should be accurate and professional, placed at the top of your resume.

What to Include:

• Full legal name
• Current phone number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile link (optional but recommended)
• Pilot license number (optional unless specified)

Example:

Name 

ATPL #xxxxxx | +91 xxxxxxxx | firstname.lastname@email.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/name

Professional Summary

The summary section briefly outlines your current license, total flight hours, aircraft types flown, and operational strengths (e.g., international experience, type ratings). Aim for two to three concise lines. A 2–3 line snapshot highlighting your key qualifications. It helps recruiters quickly gauge your experience and suitability for the role.

What to Include:

• Total flight hours
• Aircraft types/type ratings
• License type (ATPL/CPL) 
• A few key skills or operational areas (e.g., international routes, multi-engine jet operations)

Example:
Experienced ATPL-certified pilot with 6,500 total flight hours, including 3,200 PIC hours in B737 and A320 aircraft. Skilled in IFR procedures, international routes, and incident-free operations.

Licenses and Certifications

List all relevant licenses, ratings, and certificates. These documents prove your eligibility to operate in line with industry and regulatory requirements.

What to Include:

• License type ATPL, CPL (include issuing authority and country)
• Medical certificate class (e.g., Class 1, valid date)
• Type ratings (e.g., B737, A320)
• Instrument or multi-engine ratings
• ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) language proficiency level

Example:

• ATPL (EASA) – License #xxxxxx, Issued year (YYYY)
• Class 1 Medical Certificate – Valid through MM/YYYY
• Type Rated: Airbus A320, Boeing 737
• ICAO English Proficiency: Level 6

Flight Experience

The experience section gives hiring managers a detailed view of your logged flight time, experience category, and aircraft type.

What to Include:

• Total flight hours
• PIC (Pilot-in-Command) and SIC (Second-in-Command) hours
• Jet, multi-engine, turbine, instrument, and night hours
• Aircraft types flown and hours logged on each
• Domestic and international route experience

Example:

• Total Flight Time: 6,500 hrs
• PIC: 3,200 hrs | SIC: 2,300 hrs
• Jet: 5,200 hrs | Multi-engine: 4,800 hrs | IFR: 3,700 hrs
• B737 – 2,100 hrs (PIC), A320 – 1,800 hrs (SIC)
• Routes flown: Europe, North America, Southeast Asia

Employment History

Detail your in reverse chronological order of where you’ve worked, starting with the most recent. What roles did you hold, and what responsibilities or advancements did you gain?

What to Include:

• Job title and employer
• Employment dates (MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY)
• Base location or region
• Aircraft operated
• Key responsibilities and duties (e.g., flight planning, CRM, operational duties)
• Promotions, command upgrades, or noteworthy achievements

Example:
First Officer – Lufthansa | Frankfurt, Germany
Jan 2019 – Present

• Flew Airbus A320 family on short- and medium-haul European routes
• Logged 1,800 hours SIC; conducted pre-flight briefings and emergency simulations
• Promoted to line training candidate in year (YYYY)

Education and Training

List your formal education and aviation-related training, demonstrating foundational knowledge and professional development.

What to Include:

• Degree and field of study (if applicable)
• Institution or flight school name
• Simulator training, CRM, or recurrent training courses
• Safety and aviation law programs

Example:

• BSc in Aeronautical Science – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, (YYYY)
• Integrated ATPL Program – CAE Oxford Aviation Academy,  (YYYY)
• CRM and Emergency Procedures Recurrent Training –  (YYYY)

Technical Skills

Highlight your technical knowledge and experience with aviation systems, tools, and navigation procedures. You can also list operational competencies specific to aircraft types or route structures.

What to Include:

• Flight Management Systems (FMS)
• Navigation tools: GPS, VOR/DME, ILS, RNP/RNAV
• Avionics experience (e.g., Honeywell, Garmin)
• Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) tools used
• Simulator or training software proficiency
• Crew coordination, SOP adherence

Example:

• FMS: Honeywell, Rockwell Collins Pro Line
• Navigation: RNAV, RNP, CAT III ILS
• EFB: Jeppesen and LIDO
• Flight Simulators: CAE Level D A320/B737

Awards, Achievements & Incident-Free Record

Show recognition of your performance and emphasise your safe operational history.

What to Include:

• Safety commendations or recognition
• Exceptional performance in check rides
• Participation in flight safety programs
• “Zero incident” or “accident-free” records

Example:

• 100% pass rate on all check rides (YYYY–YYYY)
• Recognised for fuel efficiency and punctuality, Qatar Airways (YYYY)
• 7 years incident- and violation-free flying record

Additional Sections (Optional)

Supplementary information that adds value without overwhelming the resume. Use only if space allows.

Optional Content:

• Languages spoken (beyond ICAO requirement)
• Aviation memberships (e.g., ALPA, AOPA)
• Volunteer roles (e.g., flight instructor, aviation mentor)
• Aviation-related hobbies or interests

Aviation Resume Formatting and Length Guidelines

A well-structured resume ensures your experience stands out to hiring managers. Create a concise, professional, and ATS-friendly resume in the correct length and format customised for an aviation pilot. 

Resume Length

Keep your resume to 1–2 pages. Hiring managers and teams often review many applications, so focus on essential information.

• 1 page: For early-career pilots or applicants with <10 years of experience
• 2 pages: For senior pilots with multiple type ratings, long history, or training responsibilities

File Format & Naming

Use a simple, clean layout. Select a clear and readable font, such as Times New Roman or Arial. Make sure the text is well-spaced and organised. Structure your resume using clear headings and bullet points to make it more readable and organised. This allows readers to find key details quickly.

• Format: Save and submit as a PDF to preserve formatting.
• Naming: Use a clean, professional file name like:
  First Name_Last Namel_Pilot_Resume_ (YYYY).pdf

Your airline pilot resume should present a clear, factual record of your qualifications, logged hours, and operational experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Aviation Resumes

Some resumes are overlooked due to errors that can be easily avoided, such as unclear formatting, missing flight details, or incorrect information. Here are the common mistakes aviation students make while making their professional pilot resume:

• Incomplete or Inaccurate Flight Hours: Always match logbook categories: PIC, instrument, multi-engine, etc.
• Vague Job Descriptions: Don’t say “Performed pre-flight checks”—say “Executed pre-flight inspections on Boeing 737, reducing discrepancies by X%”.
• Typos or Formatting Errors: Ensure consistent fonts, margins, and date formats. Avoid placing key information in headers or footers (ATS may miss it).

Conclusion

Creating a professional, well-structured airline pilot resume isn’t just about listing your flight hours. It involves presenting your qualifications clearly and accurately in accordance with aviation industry standards. Whether you’re just starting with a CPL or upgrading to an ATPL, your resume should reflect your readiness, reliability, and attention to detail. It also covers formatting guidelines, resume length, and common mistakes to avoid. 
At Airship Aviation Academy, we guide aspiring airline pilots beyond training, providing dedicated support for building airline resumes and preparing for interviews. Our Senior Captains provide webinars on ATPL strategy, CPL licensing, airline hiring processes, and job placement support. So you can confidently create your resume, ace your interviews, and move one step closer to taking flight. Contact Us Today!