Job Openings at American Airlines: Learn How to Apply

American Airlines (AA) is the largest airline globally, operating in over 360 destinations across 61 countries and serving all major cities in the United States.

If you want to work for AA, you need to know the American Airlines hiring process and the current AA careers.

This guide helps you get a job at American Airlines, known for high wages and benefits. Learn about working at American Airlines and the steps to get a job there.

What is The American Airlines: Overview of The Company

American Airlines (AA) was founded in 1930 when two early aviation companies, Robertson Aircraft Corporation and Colonial Air Transport, joined forces. Its main office is in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

AA is the world’s top airline in terms of fleet size, revenue, flights, and daily passengers. It flies over 500,000 people daily to 365 places in 61 countries. It has major hubs in all big US cities and the biggest maintenance center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

By the end of 2021, American Airlines employed 123,400 individuals. At the time of writing, there were approximately 200 job openings in fields such as customer service, cabin crew, operations, maintenance, and ground staff.

Challenges of Working at American Airlines

Working for American Airlines can be challenging. The company functions in a fast-paced environment with significant expectations.

Supervisors are strict, and employees are closely monitored. You’ll need to be alert and ready to handle customer needs, which might require working extra hours.

Difficulty of the American Airlines Hiring Process

The American Airlines hiring process takes about three to five weeks and is clear-cut.

AA has many job openings, with more than 16,000 hires in 2021 and over 18,000 planned for 2022, as reported by CNBC.

If you’re qualified and put effort into a solid application, you have a high chance of getting a job at American Airlines.

Applying for a Job at American Airlines

To apply for a job at American Airlines, start by creating an account on the official website. You’ll need to access the job section, set up a personal account and profile, upload necessary documents, and save your information.

This process typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes. After completing your profile, go to the American Airlines career page, select the job you’re interested in, review the job description and requirements, and then apply.

You’ll be directed back to your profile to fill in any missing information before submitting your application.

American Airlines Application Process: Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps to apply:

Job Application: To secure a position at American Airlines (AA), candidates need to apply via the official website. You’ll need to submit a resume, cover letter, and a filled-out application form. Some roles may require additional documents.
The American Airlines Assessment: After applying, you’ll undergo an assessment test. This includes a personality test and a situational judgment test to check if you’re a good fit for the job. Pilots have to take an extra pilot test along with the standard cognitive and personality tests.
Interviews: Successful candidates will proceed to interviews. The first round is a virtual group interview, where you might need to work on tasks with others. If you pass, you’ll go to the in-person interview stage.
Training: Most jobs at AA require intensive, hands-on training in a fast-paced setting. The duration varies by role but typically lasts about six weeks. For instance, flight attendants go through a six-week intensive training, with all materials provided.
Acceptance: After completing the training, you’ll receive an acceptance letter outlining the terms of employment, salary, and benefits.

American Airlines Common Interview Questions

Here are some common American Airlines interview questions:

Introduce yourself. Share your career path and reasons for applying at American Airlines, and highlight your strengths, skills, and teamwork ability.
Describe a challenging situation and your solution. This will assess your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and crisis-handling abilities.
What do you value in an organization? The interviewer seeks to gauge if you align with the company’s culture.
How would you handle an angry customer? In your response, show your maturity, calmness, problem-solving skills, and tactfulness.
If you and your customers are in danger, what’s your plan? This evaluates your problem-solving, critical-thinking, interpersonal skills, and ability to stay calm in stressful situations.

Working at American Airlines: A Glimpse

Securing a position at American Airlines demands strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit.

At American Airlines, like any other workplace, there are advantages and challenges.

One highlight is the comprehensive training and support provided to employees, ensuring they excel in their roles. Here’s a glimpse into what working at American Airlines entails.

Work Environment

The chance to engage and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds is a standout feature of working at American Airlines.

The company’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion creates a welcoming environment that embraces employees of all races, genders, and sexual orientations.

Growth Opportunities

American Airlines offers significant growth and advancement opportunities.

After completing the probationary period and gaining a year or two of experience, employees can advance their careers by engaging in continuous learning and demonstrating a strong work ethic.

Competitive Pay

PayScale reports that the average salary for American Airlines employees is $78,000 annually.

Flight attendants earn an average of $44,461, with the potential to reach up to $80,000. Airline captains are among the top earners, with an average salary of $213,133.

Also read: Job Openings at Delta Air Lines: Learn How to Apply

Company Benefits

American Airlines provides a range of benefits:

Travel Perks: Employees and their immediate families enjoy travel privileges across the American global network at significantly reduced prices.
Health Benefits: Workers receive comprehensive health benefits, including medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage, from the start of employment.
Retirement Plan: Most employees have access to a 401(k) retirement program, depending on their workgroup.
Education Support: The company offers programs and online learning platforms to aid employees in their career development.
Educational Grants for Dependents: Employees’ dependents can apply for educational grants and scholarships.

Job Opportunities at American Airlines

American Airlines provides a range of positions across over 30 departments, from San Francisco to Washington, DC.

If you’re interested in joining the technical side, here are 10 career options that stand out for their salary and growth potential, along with the necessary qualifications for each.

1. Developer/Senior Developer, IT Applications

Salary: $144,907
Benefits: Travel perks, 401(k), health benefits, wellness programs
Experience Required: 3 years in Software Development Life Cycle, 3 years in professional design and open-source
Education Required: Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or Engineering

A senior developer at American Airlines uses technology to address business challenges. They engage in all phases of the development process, applying specific tools to solve problems.

2. Engineer/Senior Engineer, IT Infrastructure

Salary: $143,598
Benefits: Travel perks, 401(k), health benefits, wellness programs
Experience Required: 3+ years in the airline industry and leadership skills
Education Required: Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Technology Information Systems (CIS/MIS), or Engineering

Engineers in this role focus on implementing both traditional and cloud-based infrastructure. Salaries for American Airlines engineers range from $118,000 to $177,000 annually.

3. Project Manager/Senior Project Manager, IT

Salary: $156,414
Benefits: Travel perks, 401(k), health benefits, wellness programs
Experience Required: 3 years in information systems and business, 3+ years in managing high-availability IT projects
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Technology, or Information Systems (CIS/MIS)

A project manager coordinates various fast-paced projects, establishing visions and standards while managing their scope. Salaries range from $129,000 to $193,000.

4. Analyst, Contact Center – Continuous Improvement

Salary: $92,297
Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, employee travel discount
Experience Required: 3 years in industrial engineering, marketing, sales, or operations, experience with senior management
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, basic airline operations knowledge

This role focuses on improving customer experiences. The analyst supports contact center leadership in enhancing customer journeys.

5. Senior Analyst, Regional Strategy and Business Planning

Salary: $116,736
Benefits: Travel perks, health benefits, wellness programs, 401(k)
Experience Required: 3+ years in commercial or operational roles, advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills
Education Required: Undergraduate degree in aviation, economics, business, or finance

This position involves analyzing data to support business initiatives and improve airline performance.

6. Plant Maintenance Mechanic

Salary: $59,575
Benefits: Travel perks, health benefits, wellness programs
Experience Required: 3+ years as a stationary engineer
Education Required: Valid FAA Airframe/Powerplant mechanics license or EASA license

The mechanic is responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting mechanical systems at the airport, ensuring all emergency equipment is operational.

7. Associate Analyst/IT Operations Help Desk

Salary: $62,741
Benefits: Travel perks, health benefits, wellness programs, 401(k)
Experience Required: 2 years at a help desk, 2 years in troubleshooting
Education Required: Technical degree, Apple Certification, A+ Certification

This role involves addressing first-level IT issues over the phone.

8. Coordinator, Customer Experience Product Support

Salary: $49,256
Benefits: Health insurance, 401(k), wellness programs, flight benefits
Experience Required: 3 years in airline service, supporting business solutions and analytical work
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Technology, Aviation Management, Communication, Operations, or a related field

The coordinator supports product teams and applications, requiring strong communication skills.

9. Specialist, Flight Operations Technician

Salary: $71,158
Benefits: Travel perks, health benefits, 401(k) program, and more
Experience Required: 3 years in flight operations, 3 years in aviation safety standards
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

These technicians ensure the quality and safety of flight operations through compliance, audits, and risk management.

10. Cabin Service Person

Salary: $38,291
Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, employee travel discount
Experience Required: 1+ years in service work, valid driver’s license, basic computer skills
Education Required: High school diploma/GED

Cabin service employees are tasked with cleaning, stocking, and sanitizing airplane cabins to ensure a pleasant experience for passengers.

What You Need to Work at American Airlines

To work at American Airlines, you need teamwork skills, effective communication, and the ability to stay calm under stress.

To get a job there, you must know their hiring process, create an application highlighting your abilities, and show that you fit their business and culture.

Employees may work extra hours due to flight delays, but the work environment is positive, and the company offers benefits that make it a great choice.

Final Thoughts

American Airlines stands as a global aviation leader, offering a dynamic work environment with diverse opportunities.

To join this esteemed company, familiarize yourself with their hiring process, showcase your skills, and align with their culture.

Despite the challenges, the rewarding experiences and benefits make it a coveted workplace. Embrace the journey and aim for a career that soars at American Airlines.