Originally Posted by
FlightDetent
Flight Global's World Airliner census would be another possible source, multiply the airframes * 12 people each.
The biggest 4 airlines in the U.S., based on the apc website airline profile data, have 53,000 pilots and 3,300 planes(approx.). That's 16 pilots per airplane. SW, with only one type and no long haul flying, has 13 per a/c. DL, UA, AA average 16.7 per aircraft.