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Air Canada Pilot Salaries Projected for 2025

Air Canada Pilot Salaries Projected for 2025
MONTREAL – Air Canada, the nation’s flag carrier and a leading force in North American aviation, operates a fleet exceeding 350 aircraft and serves more than 190 destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, with major hubs in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, the airline employs over 5,000 pilots across its mainline operations and subsidiaries, including Air Canada Cargo, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Jets, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Vacations.
As the airline prepares for 2025, pilot salaries have come under renewed scrutiny amid evolving industry dynamics and internal cost-cutting measures. In late 2024, Air Canada announced the elimination of 400 management positions—approximately 1% of its workforce—following a flight attendants’ strike earlier in the year. These reductions, intended to streamline operations and control expenses, may influence ongoing pilot compensation negotiations as the airline seeks to balance financial pressures with the imperative to retain experienced flight crews.
First Officer Salaries
First officers at Air Canada, typically recent graduates from flight schools or the airline’s cadet program, generally begin their careers on narrow-body aircraft or serve as relief pilots on wide-body flights. Their responsibilities include conducting pre- and post-flight safety checks, managing communications, and piloting the aircraft under the supervision of a captain. Experience levels among first officers range from entry-level to around ten years.
For 2025, first officer salaries are projected to range from CA$50,000 to CA$190,000 annually (US$35,000 to US$132,000), depending on aircraft type and seniority. Compensation is based on a standard 75 flying hours per month, with additional hours remunerated at rates between CA$56 and CA$190 (US$39 to US$132) per hour, reflecting the pilot’s experience and the complexity of their role.
Captain Salaries
Captains, as the most senior members of the cockpit crew, are either promoted internally or recruited from other airlines. They hold full responsibility for flight safety, crew management, and operational decision-making. In 2025, Air Canada captains are expected to earn between CA$215,000 and CA$350,000 annually (US$149,000 to US$243,000), with salaries varying according to aircraft type and years of service. Their base pay is similarly calculated on 75 flying hours per month, with overtime compensated at appropriate rates.
Competitive Pressures and Market Dynamics
While Air Canada’s pilot salaries remain competitive within the Canadian market, they lag behind those offered by major U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. The airline also faces increasing pressure from domestic competitors, notably Porter Airlines. Air Canada’s planned expansion at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport is expected to intensify competition with Porter, potentially affecting future pilot salary structures as both carriers vie for market share and skilled personnel.
As Air Canada implements cost management initiatives amid a more competitive environment, pilot compensation for 2025 will be influenced by both internal financial strategies and external market forces. Despite these challenges, piloting continues to be one of Canada’s most lucrative professions, with Air Canada pilots maintaining some of the highest salaries in the country’s aviation sector.

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