Breeze Airways — a U.S. start-up carrier specializing in nonstop, point-to-point routes.
An Breeze Airways captain earns an average of $214K per year, typically $201K–$277K. First officers average $120K ($104K–$157K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Breeze Airways is a U.S. start-up carrier that launched service in 2021, founded by JetBlue founder David Neeleman. Built around the concept of directly connecting cities you previously couldn't fly between, it specializes in nonstop, point-to-point routes with no connections. Operating the Airbus A220 and Embraer E190/E195, it targets small- to mid-sized city pairs. The airline is growing rapidly and continues to hire pilots.
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain International widebody |
$201K–$277K |
$214K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$104K–$157K |
$120K | Seniority-based |
Salaries are USD-denominated and quoted pre-tax, converted at USD/JPY = 150. Pay is set on a seniority system. As a start-up carrier, Breeze's pay scales are still being established, and terms may fluctuate during this growth phase.
Modeled from the captain / first-officer ranges above, sliced into standard career stages. Bands marked est. are derived from those ranges (not official); verified bands come from active-pilot data. Management pay is crowd-sourced from verified pilots.
| Career Stage | Years | Annual (pre-tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / Trainee | ≤2 yrs | $31K–$52K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $104K–$128K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $119K–$142K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $133K–$157K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $201K–$235K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $223K–$255K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $243K–$277K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
Nonstop routes between small- and mid-sized U.S. cities (Charleston, Providence, Tulsa, etc.). Focused on a no-connection, point-to-point model.
Airbus A220-300, Embraer E190/E195. Approximately 70 aircraft.
Type rating training at an FAA-certified ATO (Approved Training Organization). Conducted at Part 142 training centers (CAE, FlightSafety, etc.). Ground school → simulator → LOFT.
After obtaining the type rating, Initial Operating Experience is flown under the supervision of a Check Airman. Typically around 25–50 legs.
Proficiency Checks (PC) or Line Operational Evaluations (LOE) once or twice a year, in accordance with FAA Part 121/135.
Primarily seniority-based. Requires meeting the flight-hour minimum (typically 5,000–8,000+ hours) and passing a check with a Check Airman. An R-ATP (1,500-hour) pathway is available.
Pass travel for the employee and family. Free or heavily discounted travel on Breeze flights and partner airlines.
Comprehensive health insurance for the employee and family. Loss-of-license insurance is also common.
A defined-contribution 401(k) plan with company matching, commonly up to 5–16%.
Roughly 15–30 days per year (increasing with seniority). Flexible time-off options such as flips and skips.
A daily allowance on flying days (roughly $2–4 per hour). Differs between domestic and international flying.
Additional allowances and lodging expenses for crew on international flights.
Hiring status: Actively hiring — open to FAA ATP holders; in a growth phase.
As a start-up carrier, upgrades may come quickly. A220 type rating holders preferred.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breeze Airways 🇺🇸 | $201K–$277K | $104K–$157K | Income tax applies |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
* Salary figures are SSOT reference values (pre-tax unless marked tax-free). ANA / JAL shown as the Japan baseline — ~33% income tax applies in Japan, so after-tax take-home is lower than the headline. Tax-free carriers pay 100% take-home. Verify exact figures with each airline.
Breeze Airways captain pay averages about $214K per year (range $201K–$277K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Breeze Airways first officer pay averages about $120K per year (range $104K–$157K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain & First Officer (Actively Hiring) — Domestic flying. Choice of multiple bases.. Key requirements — License: FAA ATP (1,500 hrs); English: Native or fluent; Min. Flight Hours: To be confirmed (requirements may be relaxed during growth); Work Eligibility: U.S. citizenship / permanent residency / work visa required. As a start-up carrier, upgrades may come quickly. A220 type rating holders preferred.
Breeze Airways captains average $214K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Breeze Airways captains earn about $18K a month and first officers about $9.9K. What actually lands each month moves with block hours flown, and where an annual bonus is paid the regular monthly figure sits lower with a spike in the bonus month.
Breeze Airways first officers average $120K and captains $214K — a step of about $94K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $104K to $277K, and where you sit inside it is set by seniority, type rating and the routes you fly. The seniority table on this page breaks the same range into career stages.
Every figure on this page is gross, before income tax. Captains average $214K and first officers $120K pre-tax, and income tax, social insurance and any local levies come out of that. Take-home depends on where you are resident and on your own deductions, so no single percentage applies. Airlines based in countries with no personal income tax — the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia — leave more of the same gross figure in your hand.
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Pilot salary in the USA 11 airlines · captain avg $276K