Looking for pilot jobs in Canada in 2026? Whether you are a newly licensed commercial pilot, a regional airline First Officer or an experienced Captain, knowing where to find genuine opportunities can make your job search more effective.
Canada’s aviation employment market includes major airlines, regional carriers, northern operators and business aviation companies. Each employer has different flight-time requirements, aircraft, bases and recruitment procedures.
This guide highlights specific pilot job postings found on official employer websites in October 2026, explains their published qualifications and provides direct links to the original sources.
Instead of relying on outdated job-board summaries, you can use this guide to identify suitable opportunities and apply through the airline or operator.
Quick answer: As of October 22, 2026, pilot recruitment pages and job advertisements were found for Air Canada, Porter Airlines, Canadian North, Jazz Aviation and Sunwest Aviation. WestJet also maintains an official pilot careers portal. Opportunities range from lower-hour regional First Officer pathways to experienced jet Captain positions.
Pilot Jobs in Canada: Current Opportunities
| Employer / Position | Published Minimum | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Porter — E195-E2 First Officer, Toronto | 1,500 hours | View Job #5312 → |
| Porter — E195-E2 Direct Entry Captain, Toronto | 4,500 hours plus specific jet experience | View Job #5297 → |
| Porter — Dash 8 Direct Entry Captain, Toronto Island | See individual posting | View Job #5309 → |
| Canadian North — ATR First Officer | 750 hours, or 250 for eligible aviation graduates | Official Pilot Jobs → |
| Jazz Aviation — General Pilot Application | 500 hours | Pilot Recruitment → |
| Air Canada — Pilot, External Applicants | 2,000 hours | Search Job #38766 → |
| Air Canada — AC Express Pilot Portal | 2,000 hours; restricted applicant group | View Job #39044 → |
| Sunwest — LR45, BE02, CL64/65 and XLS56 Captains | Aircraft-specific | Current Openings → |
These flight-hour figures are selected advertised minimums, not universal airline requirements. Additional experience, licences, medical certificates and legal eligibility may be necessary.
1. Porter Airlines — Embraer E195-E2 First Officer
Porter Airlines has published a First Officer opportunity for the Embraer E195-E2 at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
The position is listed as full-time under Job ID 5312.
Key Published Qualifications
- Minimum 1,500 hours total flight time.
- Transport Canada ATPL, or completion of the SAMRA and SARON examinations.
- Legal authorization to work in Canada.
- Required passport and applicable U.S. crew travel documentation.
- Previous jet experience is considered an asset.
- Experience in CARs 705 airline operations is preferred.
Porter states that candidates below the published minimum may be considered based on their experience and other factors. This does not guarantee an exception.
Porter Airlines — First Officer E195-E2, Toronto (Job #5312) →
2. Porter Airlines — Direct Entry Captain, E195-E2
Experienced airline pilots may also consider Porter’s Direct Entry Captain position on the Embraer E195-E2.
The advertised Toronto position, Job ID 5297, requires substantially more experience than the First Officer opportunity.
Published Requirements
- Transport Canada Airline Transport Pilot Licence.
- At least 4,500 hours total flight time.
- At least 1,000 hours on transport-category jet aircraft in CARs 705 operations.
- At least 500 hours Pilot in Command on transport-category jets in CARs 705 operations.
- Recent airline flying experience within the previous 24 months.
- ICAO English language proficiency Level 5 or higher.
This position is intended for experienced airline pilots rather than newly licensed commercial pilots.
View Porter Direct Entry Captain — E195-E2 (Job #5297) →
3. Porter Airlines — Dash 8 Direct Entry Captain
Porter also lists a Direct Entry Captain position for the Dash 8-400 based at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
This provides another option for experienced pilots interested in turboprop airline operations.
Applicants should review the exact experience, licence and operational requirements in the original posting.
View Porter Dash 8 Direct Entry Captain (Job #5309) →
4. Canadian North — ATR First Officer
Canadian North is a particularly interesting employer for pilots considering northern and regional aviation.
Its official pilot recruitment page currently advertises ATR First Officer hiring.
The airline operates scheduled passenger and cargo services serving northern communities, alongside charter operations.
Published ATR First Officer Requirements
- 750 hours total flight time.
- Or 250 hours for graduates of a recognized aviation degree or diploma program.
- Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Licence.
- Valid IATRA, or completed SAMRA and SARON examinations.
- Current Group 1 Instrument Rating.
- Valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
- Legal authorization to work in Canada.
- Required passport and travel documents.
The lower 250-hour threshold applies to eligible graduates and does not mean every pilot with 250 hours qualifies.
5. Jazz Aviation — General Pilot Application
Jazz Aviation operates Air Canada Express services and maintains a general pilot recruitment process.
Its official website explains that candidates can create a recruitment profile and may be assessed when their qualifications meet the company’s requirements.
General Applicant Qualifications
- Minimum 500 hours total flight time.
- Commercial Pilot Licence.
- Valid Transport Canada Group 1 Instrument Rating meeting recency requirements.
- Valid Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certificate.
- Required legal authorization to work in Canada and applicable travel eligibility.
- Licensing qualifications necessary to act as a First Officer in CARs 705 operations.
Jazz also considers additional experience, including multi-crew turbine time, ATPL qualifications and relevant aviation education.
Important: A general application pathway does not necessarily mean a specific immediate First Officer vacancy is available. It allows eligible candidates to enter the recruitment process.
Jazz Aviation — Official Pilot Recruitment →
6. Air Canada — Pilot Applications
Air Canada maintains a recruitment portal for pilots, including separate application pathways for candidates currently employed by eligible Air Canada Express operators and candidates applying from outside that group.
The external pilot advertisement is identified as Job ID 38766.
Published Basic Requirements
- At least 2,000 hours of fixed-wing flight experience.
- Canadian Airline Transport Pilot Licence.
- Current Group 1 Instrument Rating.
- Ability to meet Category 1 medical and visual requirements.
- Required citizenship, work and travel eligibility as stated in the advertisement.
- Ability to obtain a Restricted Area Identity Card.
Air Canada identifies Montréal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver as pilot crew bases.
The airline’s external and Air Canada Express application channels should not be confused.
Air Canada Careers — Search Pilot Job #38766 →
Air Canada Express Pilot Portal — Job #39044 →
7. Sunwest Aviation — Business Aviation Captain Jobs
Airline flying is not the only career path available to commercial pilots in Canada.
Sunwest Aviation, a Canadian business aviation and charter operator, lists several Captain positions on its official careers website.
Positions Listed in October 2026
| Position | Reference | Published Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Captain — LR45 | 2026-004 | October 31, 2026 |
| Captain — BE02 | 2026-035 | October 31, 2026 |
| Captain — CL64/65 | 2026-039 | October 31, 2026 |
| Captain — XLS56 | 2026-045 | October 31, 2026 |
These are separate aircraft-specific opportunities. Qualifications vary, and candidates should read the individual job description before applying.
Sunwest also provides a general application option for future pilot opportunities.
Sunwest Aviation — Official Current Opportunities →
8. WestJet and WestJet Encore — Where to Look
WestJet maintains an official pilot careers page covering its mainline operation and WestJet Encore.
The company’s published technical requirements include:
- WestJet Encore First Officer: 750 hours.
- WestJet Encore Direct Entry Captain: 2,000 hours.
- WestJet First Officer: 2,000 hours.
These are general recruitment requirements. They should not be interpreted as proof that every position is currently open.
Use the company’s careers portal to check live postings and application availability.
WestJet — Official Pilot Careers →
Which Pilot Jobs Can You Consider Based on Flight Hours?
Flight time is one of the first filters used in pilot recruitment, but it is only one part of eligibility.
| Experience | Opportunities Worth Researching |
|---|---|
| 250–499 hours | Eligible graduate pathways, flight instruction, selected entry-level commercial roles |
| 500–749 hours | Jazz general application and other regional opportunities |
| 750–1,499 hours | Canadian North ATR, WestJet Encore and selected regional roles |
| 1,500–1,999 hours | Porter E195-E2 First Officer and other airline positions |
| 2,000+ hours | Air Canada, WestJet mainline and additional experienced pilot opportunities |
| 4,500+ hours with required jet PIC experience | Selected direct-entry jet Captain positions |
This table is an orientation tool, not an eligibility determination. Applicants must satisfy every requirement in the actual posting.
Understanding Canadian Pilot Licence Requirements
CPL
A Commercial Pilot Licence authorizes qualifying commercial flying operations, subject to ratings, privileges and regulatory limitations.
ATPL
An Airline Transport Pilot Licence is required for certain airline roles and command privileges.
Group 1 IFR
A multi-engine instrument rating is frequently required for airline and multi-engine commercial flying positions.
Category 1 Medical
A current aviation medical certificate is a standard requirement for commercial pilot employment.
Other requirements can include IATRA or ATPL examinations, multi-engine experience, aircraft-specific ratings, passport and visa eligibility, and the right to work in Canada.
How to Apply for Pilot Jobs in Canada
- Review your qualifications. Confirm your licence, ratings, medical certificate and logged flight experience.
- Choose suitable positions. Compare your qualifications against the official advertisement.
- Prepare an aviation resume. Include total time, PIC time, multi-engine time, turbine time, IFR experience and relevant aircraft types.
- Prepare supporting documents. Keep required licences, medical certificates and flight-time records organized.
- Apply through the employer. Use the original careers website rather than relying exclusively on third-party job boards.
- Track applications. Record the job ID, application date and any follow-up communication.
- Prepare for selection. Depending on the operator, this may involve interviews, technical assessments and simulator evaluations.
What Should a Canadian Pilot Resume Include?
Pilot Resume Checklist
- Full name and professional contact information.
- Canadian pilot licence and ratings.
- Medical certificate status.
- Total flight time.
- Pilot-in-Command time.
- Multi-engine flight time.
- Turbine and jet time, if applicable.
- Instrument experience.
- Aircraft types flown.
- Relevant commercial operating experience.
- Instructor or check pilot qualifications.
- Education and professional training.
- Legal work eligibility when requested.
Where Else Can You Find Pilot Jobs?
In addition to individual airline websites, Canadian pilots can use aviation-specific job platforms and government resources to discover opportunities.
- Government of Canada Job Bank — search for commercial pilot, airline pilot or flight instructor.
- AvCanada Forums — aviation community discussions and employment information.
- Air Canada Careers — official airline recruitment.
- Porter Airlines Careers — official pilot advertisements.
- Jazz Pilot Recruitment — general pilot applications and pathways.
- Canadian North Pilot Jobs — northern and regional operations.
Community discussions and third-party job boards are useful for discovering employers, but verify the vacancy, requirements and application procedure on the employer’s website.
How Often Should You Check for New Pilot Openings?
Airline hiring can change as companies adjust fleets, schedules, training capacity and staffing needs.
A practical approach is to review relevant career portals regularly, save suitable searches and use official job alerts when available.
For an active job search, a weekly review of the employers that match your experience can help you identify new postings without relying on old lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are airlines hiring pilots in Canada in 2026?
Official pilot advertisements and recruitment pathways were found at several Canadian employers in October 2026, including Porter, Air Canada, Canadian North, Jazz and Sunwest. Individual vacancies may change or close.
Can I get an airline pilot job in Canada with 500 hours?
Jazz Aviation publishes a general pilot application minimum of 500 hours, subject to its other qualifications and selection process. This is not a guarantee of immediate employment.
Which airline accepts pilots with 250 hours?
Canadian North publishes a 250-hour ATR First Officer eligibility pathway for graduates of recognized aviation degree or diploma programs. Additional licensing and employment requirements apply.
How many hours do I need for Porter Airlines?
The E195-E2 First Officer advertisement lists 1,500 hours, while the Toronto E195-E2 Direct Entry Captain position lists 4,500 hours plus specified jet and command experience.
How many hours do I need for Air Canada?
Air Canada’s published pilot recruitment requirements include 2,000 hours of fixed-wing flying, along with the required licences and other eligibility criteria.
Do I need a Canadian pilot licence?
The airline positions highlighted here specify Transport Canada licensing requirements. Pilots licensed elsewhere should review Transport Canada’s applicable licensing and conversion procedures before assuming they qualify.
Can international pilots apply?
Eligibility depends on the employer’s specific work authorization, citizenship, licensing and travel-document requirements. Having an overseas pilot licence does not automatically establish eligibility for Canadian employment.
Where should I apply?
Use the official airline or operator careers portal linked in each section. Confirm that the job is accepting applications and follow the employer’s instructions.
Final Thoughts: Find the Right Pilot Opportunity
Canada offers different aviation career paths for pilots at different stages of experience. Regional airlines, northern operators, business aviation companies and major carriers each have their own recruitment standards and opportunities.
The most useful starting point is to match your qualifications to genuine employer advertisements and apply directly through official sources.
Use the job links in this guide to review the latest requirements, confirm whether applications are still being accepted and take the next step in your aviation career.
Last researched: October 22, 2026. Job listings are subject to change without notice.
