PSA Airlines Makes Significant Changes to Pilot Pay Program

PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, has made significant changes to its pilot pay program.

The changes include improved wages for new-hire pilots, an increased sign-on bonus for new recruits and retention bonuses for First Officers and Captains to create a top-tier compensation structure.

The enhancements are effective immediately.

“PSA’s new pilot compensation program is a true game-changer for our airline and we are proud to offer the highest first-year compensation in the regional industry,” said Dion Flannery, President of PSA Airlines. “This package complements the unrivaled stability and growth opportunity at our carrier and with a true seniority-based flow to American Airlines, PSA is well-positioned to offer prospective pilots the highest paying and most stable career path in commercial aviation.”

Details of the new compensation package include a 56% increase to the starting pay for new-hire First Officers, increasing wages from $24.62 per hour to $38.50 per hour.

The airline will continue offering all new-hire pilots a $15,000 sign-on bonus, with an additional $5,000 for new-hire pilots with CRJ-type experience.

PSA is also implementing a $20,000 retention bonus for First Officers hired under this new program to be paid out in installments after their one-year anniversary with the company.

The airline is also instituting a $7,500 retention bonus for all Captains currently employed with the company.

With these changes, first-year pay for new-hire pilots now tops the regional industry at $58,500, plus an additional $3,000 with a commuter hotel allowance program implemented earlier this year.

A pilot starting their commercial aviation career with PSA can reasonably expect to reach Captain and earn between $165,000 and $175,000 in compensation for their first three years of service with the company.

Since 2014, PSA has doubled its size from 49 aircraft to 115 aircraft and will continue to grow to operate 150 Bombardier CRJ aircraft.

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