First Officer (Pilot) - Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines invite highly skilled, dedicated, and safety-conscious aviation professionals to apply for the challenging and rewarding position of First Officer. This pivotal role is integral to upholding both airlines' unwavering commitment to operational excellence, uncompromising safety, and delivering an exceptional experience for every guest. Successful candidates will embody the core values central to their flight operations.
The Team and Our Values
As a pilot at Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, individuals are expected to live by deeply ingrained values. Pilots “Own safety” and “Deliver performance” both in their professional duties and within the broader community. Furthermore, they consistently “Do the right thing” and strive to “Be caring and kind.” These fundamental traits define all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines pilots in their interactions with guests and coworkers throughout their careers, demonstrating excellent judgment, leadership skills, commandability, and maturity.
Role Summary
The First Officer is primarily responsible for ensuring a safe and efficient journey, contributing to a positive experience for all guests while consistently maintaining the highest level of professionalism. This critical position serves as Second in Command and is represented by a union.
Key Responsibilities
The First Officer's duties encompass a comprehensive range of responsibilities essential to airline operations, including:
- Performing as Second in Command for the transport of passengers, mail, freight, or for other commercial purposes.
- Strictly complying with all Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), Company Flight Procedures, and Company Policies on scheduled flights and routes to ensure paramount flight safety.
- Conducting all professional activities with a consistently professional manner and demeanor.
- Operating Company aircraft in strict adherence to established Qualification Standards and all Flight Manual operating procedures and policies.
- Communicating effectively with all required agencies and personnel, while diligently adhering to Company Communication Practices.
- Possessing knowledge commensurate with the holder of an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, including a thorough understanding of all aspects of applicable FARs and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills
Candidates must meet the rigorous requirements for this safety-sensitive, union-represented position. Specific prerequisites may vary slightly depending on whether the applicant is seeking placement on the Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines seniority list.
Required Qualifications (Common to both Alaska and Hawaiian Seniority Lists)
- Minimum of 1,500 hours of total documented flight time.
- A current First Class FAA Medical Certificate.
- Minimum of 500 hours of fixed wing turbine time (airplane and powered lift combined).
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a current passport with unlimited access in and out of the United States and at least six months of validity remaining at time of employment. Employees with non-U.S. passports will also need appropriate travel documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to travel immediately and repeatedly to any domestic or international location served by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Possession of a valid Driver’s License issued by a U.S. state or U.S. territory.
- A minimum age of 23 years.
- Authorization to work in the U.S.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Excellent judgment, strong leadership skills, demonstrated commandability, and maturity.
- A professional demeanor and appearance.
- Ability to use sound judgment in decision-making and maintain composure under pressure.
Specific Requirements by Seniority List
Alaska Airlines Seniority List Requirements
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument-Airplane rating.
- All aeronautical experience requirements for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Airplane category rating, as set forth in 14 CFR §61.159.
- Current ATP written examination.
- Comfort with domicile in Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; Anchorage, AK; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA.
Hawaiian Airlines Seniority List Requirements
- FAA ATP certified, Airplane Multiengine Land with English proficient endorsement required.
- Comfort with domicile in Seattle, WA; Honolulu, HI; Cincinnati, OH.
Preferred Qualifications (Common to both Alaska and Hawaiian Seniority Lists)
- A four-year degree from an accredited university.
- An FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate (if not already required by seniority list requirements).
- 500 hours of multi-engine airplane time.
- Minimum of 50 hours of flight time within the last 12 months.
- 500 hours of turbine Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time.
- Turbojet/turboprop experience in a complex flying environment.
Compensation and Total Rewards
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package. Compensation and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status. Pay for this role is governed by its respective collective bargaining agreement.
First-Year Pay Details by Seniority List
Alaska Seniority List Pay Details:
- First-year pay rate: $124.72 per contract hour.
- Monthly pay guarantee: 70 hours.
- Reserve pay guarantee: 75 hours (long call); 84 hours (short call).
Hawaiian Seniority List Pay Details:
- First-year pay rate: $87.00 per contract hour.
- Monthly pay guarantee: 75 hours.
- Reserve pay guarantee: 75 hours (long call); 75 hours (short call).
Comprehensive Benefits Include:
- Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air (flight processing fees may apply depending on the company being hired into and airline being booked).
- Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Generous 401k contribution/match program.
- Quarterly and annual bonus plans.
- Generous holiday and paid time off.
Detailed information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards can be obtained upon request.
Application Details & Regulatory Information
This is a Regular, Non-Exempt, Frontline position.
Apply by: 7:00 PM Pacific Time on December 31, 2025.
Primary Job Locations: Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Anchorage, AK; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Hebron, KY; Honolulu, HI.
Requisition ID: 2025-15062
Category: Pilots
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
It is the policy of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment. The airlines strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories. An EEO Compliance Program has been established under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, ensuring all applicants and employees are treated without regard to protected status. Employment decisions are based solely on valid job requirements, and all personnel actions are administered without discrimination. Employees and applicants will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination for engaging in protected activities related to equal opportunity laws.
Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) under 49 CFR part 40. All applicants are advised that post-offer and/or pre-employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP), and amphetamines or their metabolites prior to any offer of employment or transfer into a safety-sensitive position. Failure to submit to testing or positive indications of drug use will render the applicant ineligible for employment with Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines/Horizon Air, and any employment offer will be withdrawn.