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UPS Airlines vs American Airlines
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at UPS Airlines (5X) and American Airlines (AA) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
UPS Airlines
American Airlines
Country
United States
United States
Airline Type
Cargo Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
5X
AA
Regulatory Authority
FAA
FAA
First Officer Salary
$100,000 - $220,000
$90,000 - $200,000
Captain Salary
$280,000 - $400,000+
$250,000 - $400,000+
Fleet
Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777, MD-11, Airbus A300
Boeing 737, 777, 787, Airbus A319/320/321
Requirements Comparison
UPS Airlines
- ATP certificate
- Turbine PIC experience
- FAA Class 1 medical
- Clean record
American Airlines
- ATP certificate
- 1,500+ hours total time
- FAA Class 1 medical
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone permit
- US work authorization
- 4-year degree preferred
Pros & Cons
UPS Airlines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Daytime flexibility with cargo schedule
- +Diverse fleet with many type rating opportunities
- +Large domestic route network
Cons
- –Primarily night flying operations
- –Longer wait for specific type ratings due to fleet size
American Airlines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Large domestic route network
About Each Airline
UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines offers top-tier pilot compensation with cargo operations. Night flying schedule allows for daytime flexibility.
Full UPS Airlines career guide →American Airlines
The world's largest airline by fleet size, American Airlines is based in Fort Worth, Texas and operates an extensive domestic and international network.
Full American Airlines career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at UPS Airlines or American Airlines based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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