More Airplanes Than Ever Are Flying Now

There are more aircraft in the sky now than ever before, and the need for pilots continues to be great. Some interesting statistics: U.S. airlines grounded a net 385 large planes from 2000 through 2006 — mainly after, and as a result of,  9/11 — but they added 1,029 regional jets, according to data firm Airline Monitor.

Passengers like the er planes because in reality it means more frequent flights to more cities — and therefore more convenient schedules. The combination of er jets and more numerous flights makes airlines’ schedules more attractive to high-dollar business travelers. So the airlines also like the er jets and the the economics of these aircraft. And also important, they are usually flown by younger pilots with less senority (that could be you soon, if you are now considering learning to fly). 

What is meant er aircraft? Regional jets are considered those with fewer than 100 seats. Traffic on airlines’ regional partners, which fly the er aircraft, is up an amazing 196% since 2002.