Originally Posted by FangsF15

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For those interested, DL pilots got an internal update today, with some 2026 hiring news:
- Current CJO holders have already had the background check process restarted.
- There will be interviews starting in October,
- Classes will be "in the first half of 2026". However, in the last 15 years, if DL has been hiring at all, they have always had January Classes, to staff for the Spring Break/Summer rush.
- Hiring for retirements and natural attrition. Specific numbers will not be shared. *
- They are being coy about numbers/pacing. They like to keep cards closet their chest to "stay niimble" - aka so changes don't reflect poorly.

Hope that helps somebody. Best of luck.


* FWIW, we have about 500 retirements total in 2026, but... From the last NH class in May 25 through Dec 26, there will be about 800 retirements. Anything less than 500 will be shrinkage, and we do have more aircraft deliveries than retirements on the books. If they keep to this year's M.O., they will hire from Jan-May or June. I would't be surprised if they keep hiring though the summer of 26 though, IMO. /FWIW