Many Majors now list the degree as "preferred". But all that means is that they have the flexibility to hire someone THEY really want to hire without a degree (affirmative action, children of senior managers, perhaps aviation rockstars).

The practical reality is that all "Average Joe Pilots" need a degree for top-tier majors, and it's a huge factor for the others.

Regionals don't require a degree, but since they are spiraling downhill and may not exist in ten years, that's a bad bet.

I personally know one guy in the last fifteen who got hired without a four-year degree. He had an AA, Dad was well connected, and it was SWA. SWA is the most likely to hire folks who have only an AA.