At PAL Airlines, every flight means something.
As one of the fastest-growing airlines in Canada, we’ve built more than a fleet. We’ve built a culture, a community, and a career path worth being proud of. We connect people to the moments that matter most, and the pilots who make that possible are at the heart of everything we do.
We believe that where you work should work for you. That’s why we’ve built a pilot experience grounded in safety, a positive workplace culture, and a lifestyle-oriented approach to regional aviation that puts balance front and centre. When you fly with PAL, you’re not just building hours. You’re building a long-term career with an airline that genuinely values the people in the flight deck. Because when our pilots thrive, so does everyone on board.
Why Pilots Choose Us
Our flight crews benefit from a diverse operational environment that spans scheduled PAL Airlines service, Air Canada Express operations, and specialized charter flights. This variety keeps your flying career dynamic, engaging, and full of opportunity.
Beyond the flight deck, we’re committed to making sure the career you’ve worked hard to build is one that supports the life you want to live. A robust safety management system underpins everything we do, giving our pilots the confidence and tools to operate at their best. And with a genuine commitment to work-life balance, PAL Airlines is a place where a long, rewarding career and a fulfilling life outside of work aren’t mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand.
Why Work With Us
At PAL Airlines, we’ve built a pilot experience that goes beyond the flight deck. We know that the best pilots are those who feel supported both in the air and at home, and everything we offer is designed with that in mind.
Rapid Progression: As one of Canada’s fastest-growing regional airlines, we offer clear, structured pathways for command upgrades and fleet transitions, so your career moves forward as our operations do.
Lifestyle Consistency: With a high frequency of single-day pairings, our pilots spend more nights at home and less time away from the people and places that matter most.
Commuter-Friendly: We understand that life doesn’t always align with base locations. Our formal commuting policy is designed to support pilots living outside of their primary base region, making a career with PAL accessible no matter where you call home.
Travel Privileges: Enjoy comprehensive travel benefits across the PAL network and a wide range of major global airline partners, because the world should be yours to explore.
Fleet Operations
Our diverse fleet and varied operational environment means no two days in the flight deck are the same. PAL Airlines operates across scheduled service, Air Canada Express, and specialized charter missions, giving our pilots a dynamic and rewarding flying career.
| Aircraft Type | Units in Service | Operations |
|---|---|---|
| Dash 8-400 | 20 | Scheduled, AC Express, Charter |
| Dash 8-300 | 3 | Scheduled, Ad-hoc Charter |
| Dash 8-100 | 2 | Scheduled, Ad-hoc Charter |
Number of Seats: 76
Range: 2,040 km
Cruise Speed: 610 kph
Cruise Altitude: 25,000 ft
Payload: 18,500 lb
Number of Seats: 50/47/40
Range: 1,389 km
Cruise Speed: 480 kph
Cruise Altitude: 25,000 ft
Cargo Capacity: 12,000 lb
Number of Seats: 37/29/21
Range: 1,293 km
Cruise Speed: 465 kph
Cruise Altitude: 25,000 ft
Cargo Capacity: 8,000 lb
Pilot Bases
We operate out of four strategically located bases across Canada, giving our pilots options that fit their lives and career goals.
- Kitchener
- St. John’s
- Halifax
- Montréal
Schedule Lifestyle
We believe predictability and flexibility aren't mutually exclusive. PAL Airlines operates on a bid-period system built to give pilots control over their schedules and their lives.
• Minimum Monthly Guarantee (MMG): 88 credit hours, so you always know what to expect
• Credit Range: Monthly schedules typically fall between 70 and 95 credit hours, providing flexibility within a structured framework.
• Training Credit: Pilots receive 2 credit hours per month for mandatory online training, because your time is always valued.
• Credit pay protection: Your earnings are protected, giving you peace of mind no matter how your schedule unfolds.
• Pairings: We prioritize efficient scheduling that minimizes multi-day pairings wherever operationally feasible. For base-resident pilots, our "start and end at home" philosophy isn't just an aspiration. It's how we plan
Compensation Benefits
A career with PAL Airlines comes with a compensation and benefits package designed to support your financial wellbeing today and well into the future.
Competitive Pay Scales
Salary structures are based on years of service and aircraft type, with annual step increments that reward your commitment and growth.
Retirement Security
We invest in your future with comprehensive Group RRSP matching programs and pension options, because long-term stability matters.
Per Diems
Industry-standard meal and incidental allowances for all away-from-base duties, ensuring you're supported every step of the way.
Health Wellness
Full medical, dental, and vision coverage, including short-term and long-term disability insurance, so you and your family are always taken care of.
Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
At PAL Airlines, we believe that the people who help build our success should share in it. As a subsidiary of Exchange Income Corporation (EIC), all PAL Airlines employees have access to one of the most rewarding financial benefits we offer, the Employee Share Purchase Plan.
Here's how it works:
- Contribute up to 5% of your base salary into the plan each pay period.
- For every 3 shares you purchase, you receive 1 additional share from EIC, at no extra cost to you.
- As a participant, you also benefit from dividends on your investment, putting your money to work from day one.
This plan was created with one goal in mind: to give every EIC employee a stake in the company's growth and long-term success. As PAL Airlines continues to grow, so does the opportunity for our people to benefit from that momentum.
Career Progression
At PAL Airlines, your growth is our priority. We invest in our people through structured professional development that rewards dedication, performance, and ambition.
- Command Upgrades: Our merit-based upgrade cycles are driven by seniority and performance, providing a clear and transparent path to the left seat.
- Fleet Movement: As our operations expand, so do your opportunities. Pilots have the ability to transition between the Dash 8-100/300 and the Dash 8-400 fleet, broadening your experience and advancing your career.
Minimum Requirements
- Candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered for flight crew positions:
- Certifications: Valid Canadian Commercial Pilot License with IATRA(CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
- Ratings: Valid Group 1 Instrument Rating (IFR) and Multi-Engine Rating.
- Medical: Valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
- Flight Time: * First Officer: 500–1,000+ hours total time preferred (dependent on fleet).
- Captain: 3,000+ hours total time with 500 on Transport Category Aircraft, or 2000 hours total time with 1000 hours on Transport Category Aircraft
- Legal: Right to work in Canada and ability to obtain a Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC).
Hiring Interview Process
We've designed our hiring process to be straightforward, transparent, and respectful of your time. Here's what you can expect from application through to your first day on the line:
- Application: Submit your CV and flight time breakdown through the PAL Airlines Careers portal. Our team reviews every application with care, looking for candidates who are as passionate about aviation as we are.
- Screening: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a preliminary interview with our Talent Acquisition team, giving us the opportunity to learn more about you and your career goals.
- Technical Evaluation: Successful candidates will move on to a formal interview with Flight Operations management. This stage focuses on CRM, technical knowledge, and SOP adherence, reflecting our commitment to safety and operational excellence.
- Onboarding: Once selected, you'll move through a comprehensive onboarding program that includes ground school, simulator training, and full line indoctrination, setting you up for a confident and successful start with the PAL team.
Recruitment Events
We believe the best connections start with a conversation. PAL Airlines regularly attends industry job fairs and hosts Open House events at our major bases, giving prospective pilots the opportunity to meet our team, ask questions, and get a real feel for life at PAL.
Upcoming events are scheduled in Halifax, St. John's, and Montreal. Stay connected and be the first to know about dates and registration details by following us on LinkedIn and checking our Careers portal regularly. We'd love to meet you.
FAQ
Yes. We have a formal commuting policy that utilizes our network to assist pilots in commuting to their assigned bases. We understand that life doesn’t always align with base locations, and we’ve built a policy that reflects that reality.
Upgrades at PAL Airlines are based on growth and attrition within our operations. However, our current expansion has created accelerated opportunities for qualified First Officers, making now an exciting time to join our team.
Candidates applying for First Officer positions on the Dash 8-400 should have their IATRA or ATPL exams completed prior to hire. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to answer any questions about specific requirements during the screening process.