Will AI replace Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

AI can do 37% of the work Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 12 of them. Robots can technically handle 5 physical tasks. 7 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next12 · 37% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.6% of time
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.6% of time
  • Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.6% of time
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.4% of time
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.2% of time
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.2% of time
  • Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.2% of time
  • Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.2% of time
  • Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.2% of time
  • File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.2% of time
  • Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.2% of time
  • Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.2% of time

Robots can technically do this5 · 27% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.Robots: structured workplaces12% of time
  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.Robots: structured workplaces6% of time
  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time

Still needs a person7 · 37% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.19% of time
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.8% of time
  • Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.4% of time
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.2% of time
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.2% of time
  • Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.2% of time
  • Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.under 1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 27% of the working time.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 12 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 5 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 7 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Commercial Pilots29%Flight Attendants17%Air Traffic Controllers64%Airfield Operations Specialists65%Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels36%Passenger Attendants39%

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