Choosing the greatest pilots in history is never going to be entirely objective. Different eras demanded very different skills, and comparing a First World War fighter pilot with a modern airline captain is hardly straightforward.
AA Pilots
A reported confrontation between an American Airlines pilot and a Prospect Airport Services worker centers on jet bridge access, airport badges and credential checks. The incident also prompted debate over pilot authority and racial profiling, although the available evidence does not establish the pilot’s motive.
An anonymous screenshot circulating across Reddit, Facebook and X claims the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded roughly 120 airline pilots after examining inflight Wi-Fi records.
A survey of German pilots shows widespread use of controlled cockpit rest, while EASA rules permit short naps under strict safety procedures. NASA research found that planned rest can help reduce fatigue and maintain pilot alertness during long-haul flights.
Airlines across the world continue to face concerns over pilot shortages in 2026, even as carriers expand recruitment campaigns, raise salaries, and invest heavily in accelerated flight training programmes.
Bird strikes remain one of the most persistent yet underestimated risks in aviation, affecting flights across major hubs like New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
CAE estimates that commercial aviation alone will need 267,000 new pilots over the next decade, with Asia-Pacific accounting for the largest share due to rapid traffic growth and fleet expansion.
Federal prosecutors have accused a former Canadian flight attendant of posing as a commercial pilot and an active cabin crew member to secure hundreds of free flights on U.S.
Magnicharters flight 780 halted at Mexico City after pilot protest over unpaid wages, prompting arrest and probe.
And while U.S. pilots have recently enjoyed huge pay raises, European pilots often face slower career growth and steeper costs just to get started.