New Aviate-Participating United Express Carrier Announcement – SkyWest Airlines FAQs
With the announcement of SkyWest Airlines becoming an Aviate-participating United Express (UAX) carrier, see below for frequently asked questions (FAQs). The Aviate Program Guide (APG) is also an available resource.
Not yet flying for an Aviate-participating UAX carrier
Yes, as an Aviate participant you may apply to SkyWest Airlines today and remain in the Aviate program. You will need to indicate you’re an Aviate participant in your SkyWest application and log that you’ve applied in the My Aviate app. However, if you have already accepted a class date with another Aviate-participating UAX carrier, we encourage you to honor that class date.
Yes, the flight hour requirement to transition via Aviate from SkyWest is the same as all Aviate-participating UAX carriers if you were accepted into the Aviate program prior to being at the carrier (i.e. 1,200 PIC hours). Please see the APG Chapter 5 for all transition requirements.
Currently flying for an Aviate-participating UAX carrier (CommuteAir, GoJet, Mesa)
Aviate participants currently flying for CommuteAir, GoJet, or Mesa, who fall into the criteria mentioned in Chapter 4, Section C of the APG, may be able to apply and fly for SkyWest.
Yes, but you must meet the criteria in Chapter 4, Section C of the APG to transfer from one Aviate-participating UAX carrier to another while in the program.
Current SkyWest Airlines pilots
Yes, as a current UPPS participant, you will be converted into the Aviate program upon signing the Aviate Participant Agreement (APA). Rest assured, your conditional job offer as a United First Officer remains secure, your requirements to transition to United are the same for Aviate as they were for UPPS, and all progress made in the UPPS program will follow you to the Aviate program.
If you are an Aviate participant currently flying at SkyWest you can remain in the program; however, only SkyWest PIC time accrued after this announcement on Thursday, December 11 counts towards your minimum transition requirements. Please make sure you’ve updated the My Aviate app with your current employer as SkyWest Airlines.
The SkyWest First Officer Agreement has an ‘Early Termination Event’ definition found in Section 4. This definition specifically states that obtaining employment with United Airlines would not be deemed an ‘Early Termination Event’ for the purposes of the agreement.
For pilots currently flying at SkyWest Airlines, whether currently enrolled in the Aviate program or previously participating in the United Pilot Program at SkyWest, only flight credits accrued on or after Thursday, December 11, 2025, will be applied toward Aviate program requirements. Retroactively adding credits prior to joining Aviate will not count towards those requirements.
Yes, if you withdrew from Aviate when you joined SkyWest, you will need to reach out directly to the Aviate team and notify us of your request for reinstatement to the Aviate program. Please complete a support form by Sunday, January 11 with topic ‘Other’ and subject line “SkyWest – Aviate Reinstatement” to be considered. You must include your full name and email so we can verify your previous Aviate participation. Once receiving your request, the Aviate reinstatement process and next steps will be provided.
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria outline in Chapter 2 Section B of the APG, you can apply to Aviate. The Aviate program receives a high volume of applications; and therefore, is selective and does not guarantee interviews. Priority is given to the most competitive candidates.
Yes, United will continue to hire First Officers directly from SkyWest. You can proceed with filling out the Aviate program applicationor standard First Officer application; however, you may only have one application on file at a time.
Participants of SkyWest pathway programs
You can be in both the SkyWest pathway programs and the Aviate program. There are other entry points that may currently provide you Aviate eligibility. Visit the Aviate eligibility chart for full details. We encourage those who are currently eligible for Aviate to apply today.
Former Aviate Participants
If you withdrew from Aviate and now fly at a UAX carrier that is not an Aviate-participating UAX carrier, you are not eligible to reapply to the Aviate program; however, you may apply to United via the standard First Officer application. Your application will be reviewed based on your competitiveness and meeting minimum United pilot hiring requirements.
Aviate Program
You can find Aviate program resources in the following areas:
The Aviate program receives a high volume of applications; and therefore, is competitive and does not guarantee interviews. Priority is given to the most competitive candidates.
Yes, if you applied to United via the standard First Officer application and never heard back, you are eligible to apply to Aviate. When you begin an Aviate application it will prompt you to convert your existing First Officer application to Aviate as you can only have one application on file with United at a time.
If you previously applied to United via the standard First Officer application and did not successfully pass your interview, you may be eligible to apply to Aviate. Please refer to the Aviate Program Guide Chapter 3 Section F for more information.
Aviate transition requirements at SkyWest Airlines are the same as all Aviate-participating UAX carriers. Participants are required to complete 1,200 or 1,600 hours as a Captain, depending on your Aviate entry point. All transition requirements can be found in Chapter 5 of the Aviate Program Guide (APG). In addition, all participants must meet the Performance Standards outlined in Chapter 4 of the APG. Those standards are reviewed by the Transition Board of Review (TBOR) prior to approving anyone for a United First Officer class date.