Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 46%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 46% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 103,560 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $232,140 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 78% for contact with people.
- Also called: Airbus Captain, Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Captain.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures | 19% | 3% to 25% | |
| Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers | 12% | 27% to 64% | |
| Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment | 6% | 27% to 46% | |
| Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights | 6% | 36% to 68% | |
| Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed | 6% | 27% to 64% | |
| Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions | 6% | 27% to 46% | |
| Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor | 4% | 27% to 64% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $77,970
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $109,910
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,420
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $57,550
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers today and 46% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 53-2011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/airline-pilots-copilots-and-flight-engineers/