Horizon Air | First Officer

First Officer, Experienced - Horizon Air

About the Role

Horizon Air is seeking experienced and highly qualified First Officers to join its dynamic team. As a First Officer, the successful candidate will serve as Second in Command, playing a crucial role in ensuring the safe and positive experience of all Horizon Air (QX) guests during flights throughout the Western region. This is a union-represented position that demands a high level of professionalism and dedication to safety.

Key Responsibilities

The First Officer is responsible for the complete conduct of flight, acting as Second in Command in the transport of passengers, mail, freight, or other commercial cargo. Key duties include:

• Performing all aspects and conduct of flight, including preflight preparations, required paperwork and restriction checks, safe flight operations, and all post-flight duties.
• Strictly adhering to Federal Aviation Regulations (FAA), Company Flight Procedures, and Company Policies on all scheduled flights and routes to maintain the highest level of safety.
• Coordinating tasks efficiently with other crew members and ground personnel to facilitate flight fueling, loading, passenger handling, and other associated duties necessary for safe passenger transport, in accordance with company policies, procedures, the Flight Operations Manual (FOM), Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs).
• Acting as a collaborative team member both within the flight deck (utilizing Cockpit Resource Management principles) and in interactions with other operational departments.
• Consistently presenting a professional image, adhering to grooming standards and maintaining a demeanor that reflects positively on the company to both internal colleagues and external customers.

Required Qualifications

Candidates for the Experienced First Officer position must meet the following stringent requirements:

• Possess 200 hours of FAA-approved Prior Qualifying Time to serve as pilot in command in part 121 operations, as defined by FAR § 121.436(a)(3). Verification of this flight time will be required via pilot logbooks at the time of interview by the System Chief Pilot and/or Director of Operations. Qualifying time includes:
  • 200 hours as second in command at a part 121 carrier (FAR § 121.436(a)(3)); OR
  • 200 hours as pilot in command at a part 91 carrier flying a multi-engine turbine-powered fixed-wing or powered-lift aircraft with an Airline Transport Pilot license and applicable type rating (FAR § 91.1053(a)(2)(i)); OR
  • 200 hours as pilot in command at a part 135 carrier in passenger-carrying operations of a turbojet airplane with a passenger-seat configuration of 10 seats or more, excluding crewmember seats (FAR § 135.243(a)(1)); OR
  • 200 hours as pilot in command at a part 135 carrier in passenger-carrying operations of a multiengine airplane in a commuter operation (FAR § 135.243(a)(1)); OR
  • 200 hours as pilot in command at a part 135 carrier holding an airline transport pilot certificate and, if required, appropriate type rating (FAR § 135.243(a)(1)); OR
  • 200 hours of military flight time obtained as pilot in command of a multiengine turbine-powered, fixed-wing airplane or powered-lift aircraft in an operation requiring more than one pilot (FAR § 121.436(c)).
• Hold a minimum of 1,465 hours of total flight time, or be R-ATP qualified.
• Have 500 hours of cross-country flight time (or 200 if R-ATP or military qualified).
• Accumulate 100 hours of night flight time.
• Possess 250 total hours of flight time as pilot in command, including 100 hours of cross-country flight time and 25 hours of night flight time.
• Have 75 hours of instrument flight time in actual or simulated instrument conditions.
• Hold 25 hours of multi-engine flight time.
• Possess a valid FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings.
• Must hold a current First-Class FAA Medical Certificate.
• Possess an FCC restricted radiotelephone operator permit.
• Must maintain a valid passport allowing unrestricted travel to and from the U.S.
• Hold a valid Driver’s License.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment, leadership skills, command ability, and maturity.
• Be willing and able to accept a base assignment in Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Spokane, WA; Boise, ID; Medford, OR; Anchorage, AK; or Everett, WA, based on company operational needs.
• Be available to work multiple days away from home, including varied schedules, weekends, and holidays without restriction.
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively in English.
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a minimum age of 21 years old.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred:

• 100 hours of multi-engine flight time.
• 100 hours flown in the last 12 months.
• A four-year degree from an accredited University.

Airport SIDA Badge Requirement

Employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain and maintain an Airport SIDA badge issued by the relevant airport authority. Failure to qualify for or maintain a SIDA badge will result in termination.

Leadership Expectations

Horizon Air expects its First Officers to embody the company's core values: prioritizing safety, acting with integrity, being kind-hearted, delivering outstanding performance, and being remarkable professionals.

Compensation and Benefits

Horizon Air offers an attractive compensation package designed to reward experienced pilots.

Experienced Hire Bonus:
Qualified candidates with 1,000+ hours of prior qualifying time may be eligible for an Experienced Hire Bonus of up to $25,000. This bonus is typically paid out in two installments: 50% after 12 months of active service and the remaining 50% after 18 months of active service or upon transitioning to Alaska Airlines via the Pathways program. Prior Qualifying Flight Time is defined by hours aligning with FARs for Part 121 Captain requirements, including CFR 121.436 (a)(3) and (C), 91.1053 (a)(2)(i), and 135.243 (a)(1).

Prior Part 121 Longevity Pay Credit:
Horizon Air offers a longevity match for hourly rates with no cap for pilots with prior Part 121 experience. Year-for-year longevity pay is contingent upon the pilot maintaining a permanent bid preferencing all Captain positions as their highest priority bids.

Salary Details:

• First-year pay rate: $92.72 per hour.
• Monthly pay guarantee (jet): 75 credit hours.
• Reserve pay guarantee: 73 credit hours.

Total Rewards:
Horizon Air employees are compensated according to a collective bargaining agreement. The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air.
• Comprehensive well-being programs offering medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• A generous 401k match program.
• Opportunities for quarterly and annual bonus plans.
• Generous holiday and paid time off benefits.

Note: Pay and benefits may vary based on company, location, scheduled hours, length of employment, and employment status. For more information about Alaska/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Additional Information

FLSA Status: Exempt
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on: 10/1/2025
Location: Portland, OR - Pilots
Regulatory Information: Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement It is the policy of Alaska 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.
We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.
We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (“VEVRAA”). All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.
To implement this policy, we will:
(1) Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories;
(2) Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and
(3) Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.
Employees and applicants for employment will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in (1) filing a complaint, (2) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by, or exercising any other right protected by, any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA, or (3) assisting or participating in any investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA.
Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT – regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and 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 a metabolite of these drugs prior to any offer or 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/Horizon Air and any employment offer will be withdrawn.
Requisition Type: Frontline
A: Y - T1
Requisition ID: 2025-14210
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Requisition ID: 2025-14210
Category: Pilots