Our commitment to advancing aviation and supporting pilots began in 1931.
ALPA played a pivotal role in shaping the CARES Act’s landmark labor protections, ensuring participating airlines used federal payroll support strictly for employee compensation. The union’s advocacy helped secure strong safeguards—barring layoffs, pay cuts, and benefit reductions—while stabilizing the airline industry during an unprecedented crisis.
Seventeen years ago, Colgan Air Flight 3407 claimed 50 lives near Buffalo, N.Y. Working alongside the families, ALPA’s tireless advocacy helped strengthen laws to improve pilot training, qualification, and experience and to prevent pilots from being forced to fly while fatigued. These changes have saved lives.
ALPA, the first professional union of pilots, was founded to protect the interests of airmen from horribly unsafe flying conditions and a management mentality that pilots were an expendable commodity.
Many ALPA pilots fought in WWII. We began advocating for the formation of an independent aviation safety board, and pilots across the globe created the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA).
Modern jet transport began. Our union's air safety structure was devised with a framework established in 1951, and issues of crew fatigue and rest requirements became an increasing concern.
Widespread use of jet transportation created a whole new set of safety concerns. The new Department of Transportation (DOT) created the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate accidents—an idea we strongly advocated for many years.
The threats of skyjacking marked a difficult time for the airline industry. The FAA established the first airport certification requirements after nearly three decades of pressure from us.
The Airline Deregulation Act forever changed the landscape of the U.S. airline industry, creating a new wave of safety concerns. Three "powerhouse" airlines—Eastern, Braniff, and the original Pan Am—went out of business.
Several major airline tragedies led to aviation safety enhancements. Our safety work during this era brought Part 135 operations with more than nine passengers up to the same standards as Part 121 operations.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks had a devastating impact on the airline industry, and aviation security issues have been at the forefront of much of our activities since. ALPA successfully pushed for the U.S. Federal Flight Deck Officer and Known Crewmember programs.
We continued to press for safety and security improvements across a broad range of issues, from transport of dangerous goods (especially lithium batteries) to laser attacks on airline flight decks.
ALPA led efforts to support pilots impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought unprecedented disruption to air travel. As the industry recovered, airline pilots found our airspace busier than ever with unmanned aircraft and commercial space operations taking off. Yet air travel remains the safest mode of transportation.
For nearly 100 years, we’ve worked to ensure that air travel grows ever safer and that piloting remains a viable profession. Today, we’re the world’s largest pilot union and largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization. Our history embodies a rich legacy of championing air safety.
Join us as we recount an exciting chapter in aviation history and the beginnings of the Air Line Pilots Association through an abridged podcast retelling of the book "Flying the Line" by George E. Hopkins.
We promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety and represent the collective interests of all commercial pilots.
Meet the people leading our efforts. Our leadership team works with staff and pilots to advance our mission and guide our key initiatives.
Do you know someone who might be interested in becoming a professional pilot? Explore our resources for aspiring aviators.
ALPA membership gives you the protection, perks, and resources you need to thrive.
