U.S. airline employment rises in September as cargo carriers drive hiring
U.S. airline payrolls expand in September 2026, with combined passenger and cargo employment reaching 1,047,112 workers. The monthly increase of 8,212 jobs is driven mainly by cargo airlines, which account for nearly all of the industry's net hiring gain.
Highlights
- U.S. airlines add 8,212 jobs in September 2026, raising total sector employment to 1,047,112, driven primarily by cargo carriers.
- FedEx leads air cargo hiring with 7,758 new positions; total U.S. cargo airline employment rises by 7,730 to 488,248, representing 47% of industry jobs.
- Industry-wide full-time equivalent employees rise to 897,433 in September, up 4,507 or 0.50% from August, signaling ongoing operational expansion.
September employment growth led by cargo carriers
As reported by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics newsroom, citing the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. passenger and cargo airlines together add 8,212 jobs in September 2026 from August, lifting total employment to 1,047,112 workers based on monthly carrier filings compiled as of Nov. 5, 2026.Scheduled-service passenger airlines employ 554,502 workers in September, representing 53% of the industry total. That segment gains 591 employees during the month, with American Airlines Inc. adding 374 workers, United Air Lines Inc. adding 219, and SkyWest Airlines Inc. adding 186.
U.S. cargo airlines employ 488,248 workers, or 47% of the total, and post a much larger monthly increase of 7,730 jobs. FedEx, the largest air cargo employer, increases employment by 7,758 positions in September.
FTE data points to broader operating expansion
Beyond headcount, scheduled passenger airlines gain 821 full-time equivalents in September 2026. BTS calculates FTEs by dividing part-time employment by two and adding that figure to full-time employment.Industry-wide totals include 747,753 full-time and 299,359 part-time workers, for 897,433 FTEs, up 4,507 from August, or 0.50%. The 24 U.S. scheduled passenger airlines reporting September data employ 524,125 FTEs, up 821, while U.S. cargo airlines employ 369,029 FTEs, an increase of 3,791, or 1.04%, from August.
The figures reflect monthly reports required from passenger, cargo, and charter airlines operating at least one aircraft with more than 60 seats or payload capacity exceeding 18,000 pounds. U.S. regulations require carriers to report employees who work or receive pay during the pay periods ending nearest the 15th day of each month.
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