Commercial airline pilots are currently required to retire when they turn 65, a limit that has been in federal law for years. This bill raises that ceiling to 67 and allows pilots who are already past 65 on the day the law takes effect to return to flying in multi-crew commercial operations right away. All pilots over 60 would still need to pass a rigorous medical exam every six months to maintain their flying certification, and airlines must continue using FAA-approved training programs. Any resulting changes to union contracts or benefit plans must be negotiated between the airline and the pilots' union. The FAA Administrator is also required to report to Congress within 180 days on whether raising the limit even further makes sense.
Transparency & Accountability
- FAA reporting requirement — Administrator must submit a report to Congress within 180 days on the feasibility of further raising the commercial pilot retirement age
Congressional Summary
Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2025This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age. This age standard does not apply to commercial operations that take place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign country that prohibits such operations, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.The bill specifies that a pilot who is over 65 years of age on the date of the bill's enactment may return to service in commercial aviation operations until 67 years of age.The Federal Aviation Administration must also submit a report to Congress on further increasing the age limitation for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-09-19
- Date Added
- 2026-06-19
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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