Do airlines hire felons as pilots?
Asked by: Dr. Jon Gleichner | Last update: July 14, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (63 votes)
Yes, you can legally become an airline pilot with a felony conviction, but it is highly difficult and depends heavily on the type of crime, how much time has passed, and your ability to pass strict security checks.
Can I be an airline pilot if I have a felony?
You can get a FAA certificate if you have a felony conviction, unless the conviction is for a drug or alcohol related offense. In that case, you cannot apply for a certificate for up to one year after your final conviction.
Which airline hires felons?
Delta Airlines
One of the companies that hire felons will be Delta. The airline has been noted to provide jobs that accept felons. However, many reports say that the entire application process depends on how long the charge was.
What disqualifies you from being an airline pilot?
Major disqualifiers for becoming an airline pilot include failing to obtain a First Class Medical Certificate due to conditions like epilepsy, bipolar disorder, or severe cardiovascular issues. Legal disqualifiers include severe criminal records, such as felonies or multiple DUIs. Other factors include active substance abuse, color blindness, or failures in rigorous training checkrides.
Can convicted felons fly on airplanes?
Yes, convicted felons can fly on airplanes in the US, provided they are not on the No-Fly List, have valid identification, and comply with any probation/parole travel restrictions. While felonies do not automatically ban air travel, they may restrict entry to certain countries (like Canada) and complicate obtaining TSA PreCheck®.
Can I Remove A Felony Arrest From My Record?
Which countries can felons fly to?
Many countries welcome felons as tourists, provided you have a valid passport and your sentence (including parole or probation) is complete. Popular welcoming destinations include Mexico, Costa Rica, Italy, Brazil, and Thailand. Certain nations strictly ban individuals with past convictions.
Can a felon get a passport after 7 years?
Yes, a felon can generally get a U.S. passport after 7 years, provided they have completed their sentence, parole, or probation and have no outstanding warrants. A felony conviction does not permanently disqualify someone; the focus is on the completion of legal obligations rather than a specific time frame, such as 7 years.
What kind of background checks do airlines do for pilots?
Typically, a background check will involve a criminal records check, job experience verification, and security clearance.” A criminal records check is when the relevant authority will search national and international databases for any record of criminal activity.
Is a CPL harder than a PPL?
Yes, a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is generally considered more challenging than a Private Pilot License (PPL) due to significantly higher precision standards, advanced maneuvers, and deeper theoretical knowledge. While PPL focuses on safety and competency, CPL requires demonstrated mastery, tighter tolerances (e.g., ±100plus or minus 100±100 feet vs ±200plus or minus 200±200 feet altitude), and stricter commercial regulations.
Who is not allowed to be a pilot?
Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy.
What jobs are off limits to felons?
While no job is categorically barred for all felons in every state, many careers carry strict federal or state-level restrictions. Felons are most frequently barred from working in law enforcement, security, education (K-12), healthcare, aviation/maritime transportation, finance/banking, and jobs requiring government clearance.
What is the highest paying career for a felon?
The highest-paying careers for felons often exceed $100,000 annually, with top roles including skilled trades like elevator mechanics ($106,000+ median), specialized construction management, and independent business ownership (e.g., freight brokerage, welding, or contracting). High-demand industries such as IT (cybersecurity), commercial truck driving (CDL), and technology (web development) also offer high income potential, often prioritizing skills and experience over a criminal record.
What will fail a criminal background check?
A criminal background check is most likely to fail due to recent felonies, violent crimes, sex offenses, or multiple misdemeanor convictions, particularly if they directly relate to the job's duties. Other major red flags include pending cases, active warrants, inclusion on a sex offender registry, or falsifying information on a job application.
Do felons have trouble flying?
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry May Be Off-Limits
A conviction (especially for a felony) may disqualify you from these services, which means: Longer wait times at airport security. More frequent secondary screenings. Difficulty re-entering the U.S. if traveling internationally.
What pilots make $500,000 a year?
Senior captains at major U.S. airlines (Delta, United, American, FedEx, UPS) flying widebody aircraft often make $500,000 or more per year, especially with overtime, longevity, and profit-sharing. This high income is achieved through senior-level positions, often by working beyond the minimum guaranteed hours.
Can you be a pilot with a DUI?
The FAA's review process is extensive and can be discouraging. However, with proper legal and medical documentation, it is possible to obtain or retain a pilot's license after a DUI. This process will include notification letters, a thorough review of your incident and background.
Why avoid seat 11A on a plane?
Seat 11A is notorious—particularly on Ryanair Boeing 737s—because it is a "windowless window seat" where a blank wall takes the place of a window, offering no view and often limited wall space for resting. It is frequently avoided for this lack of a view, along with potential for reduced seat recline, cold drafts, and reduced storage.
Why is the pilot divorce rate so high?
The high divorce rate among pilots—sometimes cited around 30.5%—is frequently attributed to the strains of "Aviation-Induced Divorce Syndrome." Key factors include extensive time away from home, unpredictable work schedules, chronic fatigue, and intense job stress, which make maintaining a stable, traditional marriage difficult.
Which pilot is a billionaire?
Jared Isaacman and Kenn Ricci are prominent billionaires who are also active pilots. Isaacman, founder of Shift4 Payments and Draken International, is a commercial astronaut and fighter jet pilot with over 7,000 flight hours. Ricci, chairman of Flexjet, built a private-jet empire and is an aviation industry titan.
Do airlines hire pilots with felonies?
Although felons are not strictly barred from becoming pilots, the FAA has leeway in denying licensing. Good moral character is an expected character trait of pilots. If you are unsure about your felony conviction, contact the FAA.
What is the hardest airline to get hired at?
Delta Air Lines is widely considered one of the hardest airlines to get hired at, particularly for flight attendants, with acceptance rates lower than 1%—making it more selective than Harvard University. Other highly competitive carriers known for stringent hiring processes include Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.
Why do 80% of student pilots quit?
Approximately 80% of student pilots quit flight training before earning their first license, typically dropping out around the 15-hour mark. This high attrition rate is primarily driven by three main factors: financial strain, underestimating the sheer amount of studying required, and stagnant progress that leads to a loss of motivation.
What country can felons not go to?
Convicted felons often face travel restrictions, with many countries—particularly Canada, Japan, Australia, and the UK—denying entry based on criminal records. Approximately 37-38 countries, including New Zealand, China, and South Africa, have strict laws barring individuals with felony convictions, often depending on the nature of the crime.
Can a felon go on a cruise?
There is no federal law that prohibits felons from going on cruises.
Can I go to Canada if I had a felony 20 years ago?
Yes, you may be able to enter Canada 20 years after a felony conviction, but it is not automatic. While you might be "deemed rehabilitated" after 10+ years (if the offense was not severe), Canada border officials can still deny entry based on the conviction, regardless of how long ago it occurred.