How to become a Pilot with JetBlue Airways

Assuming that you already hold an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), to become a Pilot with JetBlue Airways, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• 1500 hours total time in airplanes (including turbine Helicopter, excluding Simulator, Flight Engineer)
• 500 hours in fixed wing airplanes
• Recency of flight experience will be considered
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification
• Current FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
• Ability to obtain a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radio License
• Valid Passport with the ability to travel in and out of the United States
• Three reference letters from Pilots who can personally attest to the candidate’s flying skills (must bring originals to interview)
• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) Diploma

Preferred Qualifications:

• Greater than 1,000 hours turbine PIC
• Greater than 1,000 hours in more sophisticated aircraft utilizing Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS), Flight Management Systems (FMS)
• Recency of experience (Greater than 200 hours within the last 12 months)
• Bachelor’s Degree

You may check JetBlue Airways latest hiring status here

1. University Gateway Program – Launched in 2007 and considered as the longest running pathway for aviation college students. This gateway allows students in flight programs from one of JetBlue’s AABI-accredited partner colleges/universities to earn a conditional job offer for a position as a first officer at JetBlue. Once accepted, students follow one of several prescribed paths to gain experience and build their flight time. Provided they meet all program requirements and pass required background and other related checks, those in the program will join JetBlue as first officers  and will not be required to complete any additional JetBlue interviews (source). 

There are nine (9) JetBlue AABI-accredited partner colleges/universities for the University Gateway Program, as follows:

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona
2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Prescott
3. University of North Dakota
4. Jacksonville University
5. Auburn University
6. Bridgewater State University
7. Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
8. Vaughn College
9. Hampton University

With the JetBlue University Gateway Program, you will:

1. Apply and be accepted as a University Gateway Program participant and earn a conditional job offer for a JetBlue first officer position
2. Graduate from your AABI-accredited aeronautical university with a 3.0 GPA in your major
3. Serve as a certified flight instructor at your school for at least 500 hours of dual given Fly for Cape Air, JetSuiteX or a Part 121 regional carrier  (2,500+ hours of flight experience) for at least 1,000 hours and complete your full commitment with the carrier (as applicable)
4. Attend the jet transition course (as applicable)
5. Complete all requirements to become a JetBlue first officer

Please always visit the University Gateway page to check the latest updates.

2. Gateway Select – This program optimizes the training of prospective airline pilots by offering early exposure to multi-crew/multi-engine operations, full motion simulator training, crew resource management, and threat and error management. Once meeting all program requirements, including the FAA’s 1,500 flight-hour requirement and all of JetBlue’s first officer hiring requirements, program graduates will then become new hire pilots at JetBlue. At that time, graduates will go through the same orientation and six-week instruction that all first officers complete. This programs takes 3-4 years to complete before becoming a First Officer at JetBlue. To apply in this program, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Must be 23 years old by the completion of the approximate 3.5-year program.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a First-Class Medical Certificate prior to the start of training.
• Must be able to obtain a valid passport with the ability to travel in and out of the United States prior to the start of training.
• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.

If accepted into the program, students follow a multi-phase training sequence over the course of three-four years. 

• Foundation Course: Introduction to JetBlue and flying
• Primary Training: Private Pilot through Commercial Multi-Engine Certificate
• Airline Preparation Course: Jet training at JetBlue University
• Instructor Training: CFI/CFII Training
• Employment with CAE as a Flight Instructor
• New Hire Training as a JetBlue First Officer

Please always visit the Gateway Select page to check the latest updates.

3. Blue Dart Referral – Is a formal, internal referral process administered through the Chief Pilot’s office in limited quantities each year. Known among JetBlue pilots as “throwing a Blue Dart,” this program allows a JetBlue pilot in possession of a Blue Dart to nominate a candidate to enter the JetBlue First Officer interview process (source).

Pease always visit the Blue Dart Referral page to check the latest updates.

4. Transition Gateway – is designed for current JetBlue crewmembers who do not possess the requisite satisfactory experience requirements to become First Officers at JetBlue but would like to pursue a career as a JetBlue pilot.

The Transition Gateway creates a pathway for crewmembers to work with the JetBlue Talent and Flight Ops leadership teams in designing a training and experience plan. A crewmember that is selected for Transition Gateway will then separate from JetBlue to gain the necessary qualifications and experience. Once the training and experience plan is completed, the selected candidate will return and join JetBlue as a first officer.

To join this Gateway, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• The crewmember must be able to obtain a First-Class Medical Certificate
• The crewmember must have at least one year of employment with JetBlue
• The crewmember must not be on progressive guidance
• The crewmember must express interest in applying to the program by sending an email to [email protected]
• The crewmember must formally apply to and be selected into the program; selected crewmembers will be awarded a conditional job offer for a first officer position at JetBlue once all program requirements are successfully completed
• The selected crewmember will be assigned a mentor for the duration of the program
• The crewmember and a Flight Operations representative will devise a training/experience plan which will allow the crewmember to achieve the satisfactory qualifications and experience to become a JetBlue first officer
• Once the plan has been approved, the crewmember will follow the plan and report to the Manager Pilot Gateway programs for the duration of the program
• Once the crewmember has met all the program requirements, has achieved the qualifications and experience necessary to become a JetBlue First Officer and passes all final reviews, the crewmember will return to JetBlue as a First Officer

Please always visit the Transition Gateway page to check the latest updates.

5. Transfer Gateway – Current JetBlue crewmembers who have a passion for flying, are qualified as a pilot, in possession of satisfactory flight experience, and want to transfer to a full-time pilot position can use the Transfer Gateway. To apply on this Gateway, must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings
• First Class Medical eligibility
• Must possess a valid U.S. passport
• JetBlue crewmember for a minimum of one year
• Must possess or obtain leadership endorsements
• Must successfully complete the First Officer interview process

Please always visit the Transfer Gateway page to check the latest updates.

JetBlue Airways Pilots earn between  $44,956.80 – $183,691.20 per year. 

The Annual salary figure varies in the above range starting from a new first officer to a senior captain. Information was sourced from Aviationinterviews.

Last Update: July 2021

The information provided above is based on the official website of JetBlue Airways and other credible resources. We have provided you with the information as accurately as possible. However, we highly encourage you to always check the JetBlue Airways website directly to keep updated on their hiring statutes, opening of cadet pilot programs, pilot gateways, and additional requirements, if any.

Check out how to become a Pilot in the USA to know more about the minimum requirements, pilot training options, and airline programs.