JetBlue Accepting Applications for Pilot Gateway Programs

• JetBlue introduces new Gateway in 2022 for immediate family of crewmembers, taking the "blue line" to a first officer position

• 12% of 2021's JetBlue new hire pilots came through one of the JetBlue Gateways

JetBlue is now accepting applications for its pilot Gateways. With seven education and training paths for pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians, JetBlue’s Gateways offer anyone with the talent and dream of flying a range of pathways into the industry, opening the door for more people to discover and define their own career path in aviation. JetBlue will continue producing hundreds of new-hire pilots for the airline with 12% of last year’s new-hire pilots coming through one of the JetBlue Gateways.

External candidates can choose between two pilot development Gateways offering distinct paths to a JetBlue first officer position: Gateway Select or Gateway University.

With Gateway Select, qualified applicants who exhibit the right skills and aptitude can secure a path to JetBlue first officer status, regardless of previous flight experience. Accepted candidates receive guidance and mentorship as they progress through extensive and hands-on education and training with JetBlue and its partners. With a conditional job offer at JetBlue, based on completion of the program, qualifications, and required flight hours, Gateway Select aims to remove the uncertainty that grounds many from pursuing this rewarding career. First announced in 2016, JetBlue’s ab initio Gateway Select program has already started to graduate highly skilled pilots, with more than 30 candidates from the program joining JetBlue as first officers in the last year.

With 11 Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)-accredited partner colleges and universities including the program’s first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institutions) added in 2021, JetBlue’s Gateway University program is the longest-running US airline program offering enrolled students a direct path to first officer status at JetBlue via a prescribed-time and experience-building pathway. JetBlue University helps mentor and encourage accepted students through school and time-building experience with JetBlue partner airlines or other time-building options while also opening opportunities to a broader and more representative group of aviation professionals.

JetBlue continues its commitment to developing internal talent by offering current crewmembers both Direct and Flex options toward becoming a pilot or maintenance technician. JetBlue’s program flexibility allows every crewmember to tailor their own experience, further emphasizing the airline’s culture as crewmembers define and work towards career goals.

Current JetBlue crewmembers, immediate family of those crewmembers, and affiliated partners are able to apply to Gateway Direct – Flight Ops, Gateway Flex – Flight Ops, and Gateway Family.

Current crewmembers can depart their current position and pursue a prescribed college education accompanied with primary flight training at Aviator College through Gateway Direct – Flight Ops. Upon graduation, crewmembers join Cape Air as a first officer, time build to ATP minimums, and then gain flight experience as a Cape Air captain. The combined experience with Aviator College and Cape Air prepares pilots for a successful transition to JetBlue.

Current crewmembers can depart their current position and pursue a flexible path to becoming a pilot — as well as choose their own location for training and time-building within a defined framework in Gateway Flex – Flight Ops.

New in 2022, immediate family of current JetBlue crewmembers can make a “Blue-line” to a first officer position through a defined education, training and time-building path in Gateway Family.

With a particular focus on internal development, JetBlue announced new Gateways in 2021 expressly for current JetBlue crewmembers interested in becoming Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs), and for immediate family members of JetBlue crewmembers interested in becoming pilots. By making these Gateways available to crewmembers and their families, JetBlue looks to not only encourage the next generation of aviation professionals but reaffirm the airline’s culture of caring and commitment to crewmember development with increased opportunities for its diverse workforce.