The Generations That Shape Our Union

ALPA’s Membership Demographics by Age

ALPA represents more than 80,000 pilots flying for 42 airlines across the United States and Canada, with a membership that continuously evolves with the profession. As veteran pilots retire and a new generation occupies the flight deck, the age demographics of the Association shift accordingly.

ALPA’s members today span four generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y (Millennials), and Generation Z*. Each brings their own expectations and perspectives, shaped by different aviation experiences, training environments, and career paths. Understanding these generational dynamics is essential to effective communication, member engagement, and long-term unity within the Association.

The data here offers a snapshot of who ALPA pilots are today and how generational diversity continues to influence the strength and direction of the union.

*According to experts, generational categories are based on a recurrent cycle of approximately 20 years and provide a general framework to measure and study demographics of same-aged groups with specific behavior patterns.

ALPA membership data as of January 28, 2026.