ATI Overview & Company Profile
Air Transport International (ATI) is a U.S. FAA Part 121 cargo and passenger charter airline headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio. Founded in 1978, ATI has grown into the largest air carrier serving Amazon Air worldwide, operating a fleet of Boeing 767 freighters and 757 combi aircraft across domestic and international routes. The airline also provides military charter services for the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), freight forwarding support, and wet-lease (ACMI/CMI) services for commercial clients.
ATI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), a leading aviation holding company that also owns ABX Air and Omni Air International. In April 2025, ATSG was acquired by investment firm Stonepeak Partners in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $3.1 billion, transitioning the group to private ownership. This acquisition is expected to fuel further investment in aviation infrastructure without fundamentally altering ATI's core operations. In July 2025, ATI secured a $646 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from USTRANSCOM for global charter air services, reinforcing its dual role as both a commercial cargo powerhouse and a strategic military logistics provider.
ATI's history is complex. The airline's origins trace back to Interstate Airlines, a 1980s cargo carrier that lost 80% of its business when UPS decided to operate its own aircraft in 1987. While there was a corporate connection, there was no direct continuity: Interstate liquidated and ATI was separately certificated, eventually merging with International Cargo Xpress (ICX) in 1994. Ownership passed through BAX Global, then Cargo Holdings International, before landing with ATSG. Since 2016, ATI has been the inaugural ATSG airline in the Amazon Prime Air network, operating from the Wilmington hub and expanding rapidly with CMI contracts that have delivered revenue stability.
Fleet Composition & Aircraft Types
ATI operates an all-Boeing fleet centered on the 767 freighter platform, which has become the workhorse of the mid-size air cargo market. The Boeing 767, particularly the -300F variant, is widely regarded as the ideal aircraft for the e-commerce express segment: it offers the right balance of payload capacity, range, and operating economics for the high-frequency, medium-haul routes that Amazon Air demands. ATI's fleet also includes a small number of Boeing 757-200 combi aircraft, uniquely configured to carry both passengers and cargo on the same flight, primarily for USTRANSCOM military charter missions.
| Aircraft Type | Role | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 767-300F | Freighter | 44 | Primary workhorse. Max payload ~121,000 lbs. Range ~4,600 SM. Serves Amazon Air, DHL, and charter operations. |
| Boeing 767-200F | Freighter | 2 | Smaller capacity variant. Max payload ~98,000 lbs. Range ~3,000 SM. Legacy units being phased down. |
| Boeing 757-200 Combi | Combi (pax + cargo) | 4 | 42-seat passenger cabin plus cargo. Serves DoD/USTRANSCOM. Max payload ~54,000 lbs. Range up to 4,300 SM. |
Fleet data from ATI's official fleet page. All aircraft are leased through Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), an ATSG subsidiary. Numbers are approximate and may fluctuate with lease terms.
All ATI aircraft are leased, not owned. ATSG's leasing arm, Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), is the world's largest lessor of Boeing 767 converted freighters and supplies the fleet directly. CAM was the lead customer for the Boeing 767 freighter conversion program, which takes retired passenger 767s and converts them into full-freighter configuration. This integrated leasing model keeps ATI asset-light while giving it access to a steady supply of aircraft as demand grows.
The 757 combi fleet has a unique role. These aircraft have been specifically modified to meet FAA and USTRANSCOM requirements, including ETOPS certification for oceanic crossings. With 42 passenger seats and dedicated cargo pallet positions, they serve a niche the military values: the ability to move personnel and their equipment simultaneously on a single aircraft. ATI's 757 combis have served the Department of Defense for more than 20 years, replacing the older DC-8 combis with 34% lower fuel burn and increased passenger capacity.
ATI's fleet strategy is closely tied to ATSG's broader portfolio. While there are no publicly announced orders for new-build freighters, the industry trend is shifting toward next-generation cargo aircraft like the Airbus A350F and Boeing 777-8F. ATSG has also been exploring A330 converted freighters for its airlines. For pilots, the practical implication is that ATI remains a single-type-rating operation (Boeing 767/757), which simplifies training and transition. Any future fleet diversification would likely introduce new type ratings and create additional career opportunities within the ATSG family of airlines.
Pilot Salary & Compensation Breakdown
ATI pilot compensation has been a central topic in prolonged contract negotiations that lasted over five years. Under the existing (pre-tentative agreement) pay structure, ATI pilots have acknowledged that their rates sit at the lower end of the U.S. Boeing 767 cargo operator market. However, a tentative agreement reached in March 2026, valued at approximately $114 million over four years, is expected to bring significant improvements to compensation, including an immediate pay increase, a one-time ratification bonus, and enhanced retirement contributions. If ratified, the new contract takes effect April 1, 2026.
Captain Pay Scale (Pre-TA Rates)
| Seniority | Estimated Annual Gross | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ~$147,000 | Entry captain. All aircraft types (757/767). |
| Year 5 | ~$234,000 | Mid-seniority. Includes guarantee pay and per diem. |
| Year 8 | ~$255,000 | Senior captain approaching top of scale. |
| Year 12+ | ~$281,000 | Top-scale captain. Highest published pre-TA rate. |
First Officer Pay Scale (Pre-TA Rates)
| Seniority | Estimated Annual Gross | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ~$83,000 | Entry F/O. 60-hour monthly guarantee from day one. |
| Year 5 | ~$151,000 | Mid-seniority F/O. |
| Year 8+ | ~$181,000 | Senior F/O near top of scale. |
Salary figures are pre-tentative agreement estimates compiled from ALPA contract comparison documents and industry sources. Actual compensation varies based on hours flown, per diem, and bonuses.
Compensation Components
Beyond base hourly rates, ATI pilot compensation includes several additional elements. The monthly flight hour guarantee is 60 hours across each of the airline's thirteen 28-day bid periods per year, meaning pilots receive a floor of 60 hours of flight pay credit (BUG) each period regardless of actual flying. Per diem is paid at approximately 50% of the hourly rate during deadhead segments (whichever is greater: actual or scheduled time). Full pay, hotel accommodations, and per diem are provided during all training periods. Overtime pay applies when pilots exceed their guarantee hours or monthly duty limits.
These figures represent pre-tentative agreement rates. The March 2026 tentative agreement, if ratified, will deliver approximately $114 million in improvements over four years, including immediate pay increases and a ratification bonus. Exact new pay scales have not been publicly disclosed as of this writing. ATI pilots have historically been among the lowest-paid Boeing 767 operators serving Amazon, a fact the union has cited as a driver of pilot attrition (121 pilot departures in a single year were reported during negotiations). Always verify current rates through ALPA's ATI pilot resources page or the ratified contract once available.
Roster, Home-Basing & Quality of Life
One of ATI's most distinctive features is its home-basing model. Unlike most airlines that assign pilots to specific domiciles (crew bases), ATI allows all pilots to live anywhere in the United States. There are no traditional domicile assignments, no junior base assignments, and no mandatory day-off travel. This is a significant quality-of-life advantage, particularly for pilots who want to live in areas with lower cost of living or near family, without the daily commute that plagues pilots at many other carriers.
ATI operates on a 13-period bidding system, with each bid period lasting 28 days. Pilots bid for their schedules based on seniority, and the monthly guarantee is 60 flight pay credit hours per period. Reserve pilots also receive the same 60-hour guarantee. The schedule structure reflects ATI's cargo-focused operations: flying is concentrated around nighttime and early morning hours to meet Amazon's delivery windows, with typical patterns involving multi-day trip sequences followed by blocks of days off.
📅 Sample Month: Boeing 767 First Officer (Home-Based)
Cargo flying at ATI means primarily nighttime operations. Most Amazon Air flights depart in the evening or overnight hours, which is standard across the express cargo industry. Pilots should expect red-eye schedules, irregular sleep patterns, and circadian rhythm challenges, especially during the first few years when seniority limits schedule choices. Senior pilots can bid for more favorable trip pairings and avoid the least desirable overnight sequences. The March 2026 tentative agreement reportedly includes scheduling improvements designed to enhance work-life balance.
ATI's home-basing model is one of its strongest selling points for quality of life. Pilots are not forced to relocate to a specific crew base or commute to a distant airport for their trips. Instead, they travel to their trip start point (with company-paid positioning), fly their sequence, and return home. This flexibility is rare in the airline industry and allows pilots to maintain roots in affordable communities, stay close to family, and avoid the financial and personal burden of maintaining a crash pad in an expensive hub city. The 2026 tentative agreement explicitly retains this home-basing structure.
Benefits, Retirement & Perks
ATI's benefits package covers the essential categories expected of a U.S. Part 121 carrier, though it has historically lagged behind top-tier cargo operators like FedEx and UPS. The March 2026 tentative agreement is expected to bring substantial improvements, particularly to retirement contributions. Under the existing contract, benefits include health coverage, a 401(k) plan, insurance provisions, and travel privileges.
Retirement has been one of the most contentious issues in ATI's contract negotiations. Under the previous contract, ATI's retirement contributions were considered below market compared to competitors like Kalitta Air (which offers a 12% company-funded contribution with no pilot match required). The 2026 tentative agreement addresses this directly, promising "substantial company-funded contributions" to retirement. While exact figures have not been publicly released, this improvement was highlighted as a central achievement by ALPA's ATI Master Executive Council. For pilots evaluating ATI as a long-term career, the ratified retirement package will be a critical factor.
Career Progression & Seniority
Career progression at ATI follows the standard U.S. airline model: seniority-based advancement. Your position on the seniority list determines everything from schedule bids and trip preferences to upgrade timing and furlough order. ATI hires pilots as First Officers, and upgrade to Captain occurs as senior Captains retire, leave, or as the airline grows and needs additional Captains to cover new flying.
According to publicly available data, the most junior Captain hire date at ATI is November 2019, which provides a rough benchmark for current upgrade timelines. This suggests that pilots hired around that period have been able to upgrade within approximately 4 to 6 years, though this varies significantly based on company growth, pilot attrition, and fleet expansion. During the peak of the post-pandemic cargo boom (2021-2023), upgrade times shortened considerably as Amazon Air expanded and pilot departures increased. The current environment may see upgrade timelines stabilize or lengthen slightly depending on economic conditions and contract ratification outcomes.
| Career Milestone | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hired as First Officer | Day 1 | All new hires enter as F/O on Boeing 767 (or 757 for combi ops). |
| Complete initial training | 4-6 weeks | Ground school, simulator, and line training. Full pay during training. |
| Line-qualified F/O | ~2 months post-hire | Operating regular line flying after IOE (Initial Operating Experience). |
| Captain upgrade | ~4-7 years (estimated) | Seniority-dependent. Faster during growth periods, slower during contractions. |
| International Relief Officer (IRO) | Variable | F/Os designated as IRO receive an override based on flight hours flown. |
| Check Airman / Training Captain | Variable | Requires separate selection. Additional pay and responsibilities. |
ATI is effectively a single-type-rating operation. All pilots fly Boeing 767 or 757 variants, which means there is no fleet bidding complexity. You do not need to transition between narrowbody and widebody fleets as you would at a legacy passenger airline. This simplifies career planning but also limits the variety of flying experience available within the company. For pilots seeking multi-type experience, the broader ATSG family (ABX Air on 767s, Omni Air on 767/777) offers potential lateral movement, though inter-airline transfers are not guaranteed and depend on company policy.
ATI's growth trajectory is closely tied to Amazon Air's expansion plans. As Amazon continues to build out its air logistics network, ATI benefits from additional aircraft allocations and route awards. However, pilot retention has been a challenge: during the protracted contract negotiations, ALPA reported that 121 pilots departed ATI in a single year, citing below-market compensation as the primary driver. The 2026 tentative agreement is explicitly designed to address retention by improving pay, retirement, and scheduling. If ratified, it should stabilize the pilot workforce and potentially slow upgrade timelines as fewer experienced pilots leave for competitors.
Recruitment Process & Requirements
ATI is actively hiring pilots and recruits experienced aviators who hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. There is no ab-initio or cadet program: ATI hires experienced pilots directly as First Officers. The airline has partnered with flight training organizations like ATP Flight School, which has placed graduates at ATI, suggesting that the airline is open to relatively low-time pilots who meet the ATP requirements through various qualification pathways.
Minimum Requirements
Selection Process
Online Application
Submit your application through ATI's careers portal or via partner platforms. Resume, flight hours, certifications, and employment history are reviewed. Typical screening turnaround: 1-2 weeks.
Phone / Video Interview
Initial screening with HR or a line pilot. Behavioral questions, career motivation, and basic technical knowledge. Duration: approximately 30-45 minutes.
In-Person Interview
Panel interview at ATI's Wilmington, Ohio headquarters. Technical knowledge assessment, scenario-based CRM questions, and evaluation of professional demeanor. Duration: approximately 3-4 hours.
Background Check & Medical
FAA medical verification, TSA/FBI security clearance, previous employer verification, and drug screening. This stage runs concurrently with or shortly after the interview process.
Conditional Offer & Training
Successful candidates receive a training class date (typically 4-8 weeks out). Training includes ground school, simulator sessions, and Initial Operating Experience (IOE). Full pay, hotel, and per diem are provided throughout training.
ATI values cargo and Part 121 experience, though it is not strictly required. Pilots transitioning from regional airlines, military aviation, or Part 135 operations are all viable candidates. The interview at Wilmington reportedly focuses heavily on CRM scenarios, decision-making under pressure, and cultural fit. Given ATI's nighttime cargo operations, be prepared to discuss fatigue management, crew resource management in low-visibility environments, and your motivation for cargo flying. The airline has been actively hiring throughout 2024-2025, and the improved contract terms (if ratified) should make ATI a more attractive destination for experienced pilots evaluating cargo career options.
How ATI Compares: Airline Radar Chart
How does ATI stack up against two other prominent U.S. cargo carriers: Atlas Air and Kalitta Air? All three airlines operate Boeing widebody freighters, are represented by ALPA, and compete for the same pool of qualified cargo pilots. Below is a comparative analysis across the five scorecard metrics, based on publicly available data, pilot feedback, and industry benchmarks.
Key Takeaways from the Comparison
ATI leads on work-life balance and job security. The home-basing model, where pilots can live anywhere in the U.S. without mandatory domicile assignments, is a genuine differentiator that neither Atlas nor Kalitta offers in the same way. ATI's position as the largest Amazon Air carrier, combined with the $646 million USTRANSCOM contract, provides a level of revenue diversification and demand stability that supports strong job security. Atlas Air has struggled with high attrition (reportedly 450-500 pilot departures per year) and operational disruptions from understaffing, which directly impacts quality of life for remaining pilots.
Atlas Air offers the highest pay and most diverse fleet. With Captain rates reaching $324-333/hour on Boeing 777 and 747 aircraft, Atlas Air commands the highest compensation in this comparison. Its fleet spans the 747-8F, 777F, and 767-300F, offering pilots the opportunity to fly multiple widebody types and gain experience on the largest freight aircraft in service. However, the airline's recent five-year arbitrated contract (which pilots overwhelmingly criticized) and chronic staffing challenges have tarnished its reputation as a career destination.
Kalitta Air offers the strongest benefits package. Kalitta's 12% company-funded retirement contribution (requiring no pilot match) sets the benchmark among these three operators. Pay rates are competitive at approximately $316/hour for all aircraft types. Based in Oscoda, Michigan, Kalitta operates a fleet of over 24 Boeing 747s and has significant international flying. The family-owned structure provides a different corporate culture compared to ATSG's institutional ownership.
ATI's compensation is the weakest link, but improving. Pre-tentative agreement, ATI sat at the bottom of this peer group on salary. The $114 million tentative agreement should close some of this gap. For pilots who prioritize schedule flexibility and geographic freedom over raw pay, ATI's home-basing model and Amazon-backed stability may outweigh the compensation differential.
Scores are editorial estimates based on publicly available salary data, ALPA contract comparisons, pilot forum discussions, industry reporting (FreightWaves, AeroCrew News), and airline career databases. They represent a general assessment for an experienced pilot evaluating a long-term cargo career. Individual experiences vary significantly based on seniority, schedule preferences, and personal priorities. Atlas Air and Kalitta Air scores will be refined when dedicated guides for those airlines are published.
Union & Industrial Relations
ATI pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world, representing more than 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. ATI pilots joined ALPA in 2009, and approximately 550-570 pilots are currently represented. The union's ATI Master Executive Council (MEC) is led by Captain Michael Sterling (MEC Chair) and Captain Josh Hoy (Contract Negotiating Committee Chair).
The Five-Year Negotiation Saga
ATI's contract negotiations have been among the most protracted in recent U.S. airline labor history. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was signed on March 21, 2018, and became amendable shortly after. Negotiations for an amended agreement began in approximately 2020, and for over five years, ATI pilots operated under an outdated contract while the airline experienced record growth driven by Amazon Air expansion. This created a widening gap between pilot compensation and the airline's financial performance.
The March 2026 tentative agreement, if ratified, would end one of the longest active contract disputes in the U.S. cargo airline sector. For pilots considering ATI, the timing is potentially favorable: a ratified contract would bring immediate pay increases, better retirement, and improved scheduling, while the airline's strong Amazon Air relationship provides demand stability. The 99.7% strike authorization vote demonstrated exceptional pilot unity, which historically correlates with stronger long-term labor relations once a new contract is in place. Under the Railway Labor Act, airline labor disputes follow a structured mediation process through the NMB, which means strikes are rare but the negotiation timeline can be lengthy.
Verdict: Who Is ATI For?
🎯 Our Take
Air Transport International occupies a unique niche in the U.S. cargo airline market. As the world's largest Amazon Air carrier with a $646 million DoD contract, it offers strong job security backed by two of the most reliable revenue streams in aviation: e-commerce logistics and military charter. The home-basing model is a genuine quality-of-life advantage that few competitors can match, allowing pilots to live anywhere in the country without the financial and personal burden of relocating to a hub city.
The trade-offs are real: pre-tentative agreement compensation has been below market for Boeing 767 cargo operators, the fleet is limited to a single aircraft family (767/757), nighttime cargo flying demands circadian adjustment, and five years of contract uncertainty have tested pilot morale. However, the March 2026 tentative agreement ($114 million over four years) signals a turning point, with immediate pay raises, retirement improvements, and scheduling enhancements designed to close the gap with competitors.
For pilots who value geographic flexibility, stable demand, and a straightforward career path within a growing operation, ATI is worth serious consideration, particularly if the new contract is ratified at the terms outlined.
1 Does ATI have traditional crew bases or domiciles?
No. ATI uses a home-basing model, meaning pilots can live anywhere in the United States. There are no assigned domiciles, no junior base assignments, and no mandatory day-off travel to a crew base. The airline provides positioning to trip start points. This is one of ATI's most distinctive benefits and was explicitly retained in the March 2026 tentative agreement.
2 What aircraft does ATI fly?
ATI operates an all-Boeing fleet consisting of 44 Boeing 767-300 freighters, 2 Boeing 767-200 freighters, and 4 Boeing 757-200 combi aircraft (configured for 42 passengers plus cargo). The 767-300F is the primary workhorse, serving Amazon Air routes and commercial charter operations. The 757 combis serve the U.S. Department of Defense for military passenger/cargo charter missions.
3 How long does it take to upgrade to Captain at ATI?
Upgrade timelines vary based on attrition, fleet growth, and seniority position. The most junior Captain hire date reported is November 2019, suggesting upgrades in the range of 4 to 7 years under recent conditions. During the 2021-2023 cargo boom, upgrades were faster due to high pilot departures and Amazon Air expansion. The new contract may stabilize the workforce and extend timelines slightly.
4 Is ATI flying primarily at night?
Yes. As the largest Amazon Air carrier, most of ATI's scheduled cargo operations take place during nighttime and early morning hours to meet Amazon's delivery network requirements. This is standard across the express cargo industry. Senior pilots can bid for more favorable schedules, but new hires should expect predominantly overnight flying. Fatigue management is a critical skill for cargo pilots.
5 What is the monthly guarantee at ATI?
ATI guarantees 60 flight pay credit hours per bid period. There are 13 bid periods per year (each lasting 28 days). Both lineholders and reserve pilots receive the same 60-hour guarantee (BUG). This means pilots receive a floor of 60 hours of pay each period regardless of actual flying hours, providing income predictability.
6 What happened with ATI's contract negotiations?
ATI pilots operated under an outdated 2018 contract for over five years while negotiations stalled. In November 2023, 99.7% voted to authorize a strike. In August 2025, an agreement in principle was reached but rejected by ATSG's new owner, Stonepeak. After continued NMB-mediated talks and a virtual picket, a tentative agreement was reached in March 2026, valued at $114 million over four years. It awaits ratification by the pilot group.
7 How does ATI pay compare to FedEx and UPS?
ATI's pre-tentative agreement Captain pay (top rate ~$281,000/year) is significantly below FedEx and UPS, where senior Captains can earn $350,000 or more annually. ATI is more comparable to other ACMI/CMI cargo operators like Atlas Air and Kalitta Air. The 2026 tentative agreement is expected to narrow the gap with direct competitors, though FedEx and UPS remain in a different compensation tier as integrated express carriers.
8 Can non-U.S. citizens fly for ATI?
ATI requires U.S. work authorization. While U.S. citizenship is preferred, pilots with valid work visas may be eligible. Given ATI's military charter operations for USTRANSCOM, security clearance requirements may impose additional restrictions. Always verify current eligibility requirements directly with ATI's recruitment team.
Official Links & Resources
Before applying or making career decisions, always verify information directly with official sources. These are the key websites and organizations relevant to an ATI pilot career:
Bookmark ati.alpa.org for the most current information on ATI pilot contract status, MEC communications, and tentative agreement details. For interview preparation, the AirlinePilotCentral forums contain interview gouges and firsthand pilot experiences. ATI's official careers page at airtransport.cc/pilots is the primary portal for submitting applications and checking current hiring status.
