United hires 300+ Pilots, Unveils massive training facility expansion

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Today, United Airlines inaugurated a new 150,000-square-foot annex at its Flight Training Center in Denver, already the world’s most expansive facility of its kind. This expansion enables the addition of up to 12 state-of-the-art full-motion flight simulators, with half of these already operational.

In 2024, United has onboarded over 300 pilots, building on the more than 2,300 pilot hires from the previous year. The newly expanded campus further enhances training capabilities for its 16,000 pilots.

The Flight Training Center now encompasses eight buildings, offering over 700,000 square feet of training space, and houses 46 cutting-edge full-motion flight simulators.

These developments are part of United’s ongoing commitment to its United Next plan, focusing on investment in personnel, infrastructure, and technology.

The opening ceremony featured United CEO Scott Kirby, key figures from the Flight Training Center, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. Kirby highlighted the significance of these investments: “Our rapid growth outpaces any other airline, and investing in our pilots and their training is essential as we prepare to integrate an unprecedented number of new aircraft into our fleet over the coming decades. Our approach to recruitment, hiring, and training maintains our pilots’ status as the best in the world, embodying our high standards of excellence.”

Enhancements and Training Excellence

The Flight Training Center, located in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood and sprawling across 23 acres, is the exclusive training venue for United’s nearly 16,000 active pilots and all new recruits. All pilots undergo rigorous simulator training every nine months to maintain their certifications, alongside initial qualification processes.

With the latest expansion, the center boasts 46 full-motion simulators and 21 fixed training devices. The new building alone has room for an additional six simulators, aiming for a total of 52 full-motion simulators and 34 fixed training devices. This expansion allows for over 32,000 annual training sessions, with the capacity to train up to 860 pilots daily. The facility operates 24/7 for 362 days a year.

Local Economic Impact and Growth

United’s investment exceeding $145 million in the new building is expected to create over 370 new jobs. The Flight Training Center employs more than 1,600 of United’s 10,000+ Denver-based workforce, covering 24 departments. In 2023, United’s spending on Denver hotel accommodations for visiting pilots was over $44 million, with projections exceeding $65 million in 2024.

Since its initial construction between 1966-68 as part of the Stapleton Airport complex, the Flight Training Center has been pivotal in pilot training. United’s investments in the facility have reached $370 million since 2016.

United’s Denver Commitments

United’s investments in Denver continue to grow. In summer 2023, the airline acquired two parcels near Denver International Airport for future expansion, with plans to enhance flight training capabilities by 2028. With nearly $1 billion invested recently, United aims to elevate the passenger experience at Denver, its fastest-growing hub. The airline has a robust hiring plan for Denver, projecting over 1,000 new hires in 2024, adding to the 2,500 roles filled last year.

United leads in Colorado, offering the most flights and transporting the most passengers. This summer, United plans over 500 daily departures from Denver, including 40 new seasonal routes, serving more than 175 destinations worldwide.

Career Opportunities at United

United stands as the premier choice for pilot careers, boasting the largest widebody fleet in North America and an extensive global network. In 2023, United pilots ratified a new four-year contract, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to its crew.

United offers various entry points for aspiring pilots, from experienced aviators ready to join immediately to those seeking to begin their flying careers through programs like Aviate® and the United Aviate Academy. The United Military Pilot Program, introduced in September 2023, provides an unparalleled opportunity for active-duty U.S. military pilots to transition to commercial aviation.

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