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

The core of your work stays human. For you, AI is mainly an amplifier.

Task exposure to today's AI

26/100

Low exposure

This is the occupation's typical task mix. Your own score can be up to 30 points higher or lower depending on how you work: routine share, people contact, judgment and how much you already use AI.

Get your personal score

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

Not entirely. Today's AI tools can take on about 26% of the typical work in this occupation, mostly: monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights. The parts that stay human include: Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.; Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.; Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists..

People who learn to use AI for the automatable parts keep the edge. The 3-phase plan below shows where to start.

Which tasks AI can take on

The largest tasks in this occupation, their share of the working week, and how much of each today's AI tools can do.

TaskAutomatable

Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights. 40%

Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment. 33%

Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers. 23%

Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed. 17%

Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures. 12%

Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists. 10%

+ 18 more tasks (45% of the week) in the full test.

Your human edge

Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.

AI tools to try

Route and fleet appsWarehouse and logistics systemsChatGPT / Claude for reports and messages

Related roles

A 3-phase AI learning plan

Phase 1

AI for planning and reports

Routes, schedules and loads with planning apps.
Delivery reports and customer messages.
Rules and documents explained, checked in the source.

Project

Use AI to summarise and cross-check a full route briefing pack (NOTAMs, weather, fuel plan) for 5 flights, verifying every claim against the official source and logging minutes saved per briefing.

Phase 2

Work with automated systems

How warehouse and fleet systems make decisions.
Exceptions: when to override the system.
Safety with automated vehicles and robots.

Project

Write an AI-assisted decision guide on when to disconnect autopilot, autothrottle or FMS guidance, listing 10 real exception scenarios and validating each against the FCOM and SOPs.

Phase 3

Move toward coordination

Dispatching, planning or logistics coordination.
Data and spreadsheets with AI help.
Licences and certificates for new equipment.

Project

Build an AI-helped spreadsheet analysing 50 of your own flights' block times, fuel burn and delays, and present three dispatch or scheduling improvements with quantified savings.

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