ALPA’s Membership Demographics: A Generational Perspective
Exploring the Age Diversity of ALPA Pilots
By Gavin Francis, Senior Aviation Writer
As the largest pilot union in the world, ALPA represents a dynamic and ever-evolving membership. By the close of 2024, the Association proudly represented more than 79,000 pilots across 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. With an influx of new members, the natural progression of retirements, and the continued growth of the profession, ALPA’s demographic profile shifts year after year. By examining changes in the demographics of its membership, ALPA can better align its strategies to meet the needs of its members and strengthen its collective voice.
ALPA’s members currently span four widely recognized generational groups: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y), and Generation Z*. Understanding the diverse perspectives and preferences of these groups is essential for enhancing member engagement, strengthening communication, and building a more unified pilot community.
Take a closer look at the statistics to see the generational makeup of your fellow ALPA members.
(Click to enlarge)
*According to experts, generational categories are based on a recurrent cycle of approximately 20 years and provide a general framework to measure and study demographics of same-aged groups with specific behavior patterns.
(ALPA pilot data as of January 6.)
