‍DALLAS — A group of former students is suing United Airlines (UA) and its Goodyear, Arizona-based United Aviate Academy for fraud and misrepresentation in a legal case that could alter how airlines conduct their in-house pilot training programs. 

The complaint, lodged in Phoenix, alleges that dozens of student pilots were attracted by promises of fast-track training programs and guaranteed pathways to airline careers, only to end up with debt, inadequate instruction, and no clear way to graduate.

Over two years ago, UA celebrated the first graduating class of its Aviate Academy at Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR) in Arizona. The graduating class consisted of 51 students.

The new flight crew grads put the airline on the path towards training almost 5,000 new pilots at the academy by 2030. By the decade's end, UA said the academy hoped to add 10,000 pilots.

In its first year of operation, the academy saw students conducting over two million miles and more than 1,000 takeoffs and landings. Additionally, the students earned over 250 aviation certificates. According to UA, the academy received over 22,000 applications in the first month of 2023. 

United Aviate Academy takes students with no flying experience who can receive their private pilot's license (PPL) in two months. After receiving their PPL, students can continue into the Aviate Program, which gives pilot training and is a pipeline into flying for UA.

In 2023, we were told that most students in the United Aviate Academy would fly for United Express, United's regional partner. Further, within six years of graduation from the academy, they would be pilots for UA. Students could also become Technical Fleet Instructors at UA or take leadership roles as Part 135 operators.

Broken Promises, Shattered Expectations

The crux of the 2025 lawsuit is that UA and its flight school promised too much regarding the program’s capacity and quality. Plaintiffs say they were offered an accelerated, yearlong curriculum that would prepare them to become commercial pilots. However, in 2024, only about 20 planes were available for more than 380 students. At one point, the school faced chronic shortages of flight instructors and aircraft, according to the complaint.

Some students claim that they only get to fly once or twice a month,  which is far from the regular, structured training cycle needed to maintain proficiency. Others noted that they received different instructors for each flight, and some even mentioned training alongside fellow students. In some cases, evaluations were conducted by individuals who were not certified pilots, a practice that was never allowed in professional flight training.

The students’ frustration culminated in legal action after their expulsion, citing a lack of progress, although the school often attributed delays to a lack of resources. The plaintiffs allege that expulsion was used as a weapon to reduce student numbers and meet the enrollment cap.

Accreditation Fallout, Personal, Financial Toll

In mid-2024, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, the Aviate Academy’s accrediting agency, warned the school after its enrollment soared well above the 325-student maximum it advertised. In August, the school went on probation. Early in 2025, it had voluntarily withdrawn its accreditation completely, a sign of internal reorganization at the same time, a question on program viability.

In response to the allegations, UA affirmed its commitment to the academy and said it was pursuing a different accreditation, more in line with the institution's goals. They said the airline did not respond to specific claims made by students because the litigation is still ongoing.

For the students involved, the consequences extend beyond academic disappointment. Many mortgaged themselves with big loans, expecting to complete all the requisite training and land a job soon at a regional airline. Some gave up homes, moved families, or quit long-time careers to join the program.

One individual left a 21-year career and moved across the country to chase his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. Another relied on personal savings and financial support from family,  only to be evicted a few months into the program. The group says they were deceived into thinking the program would lead to “gainful employment” in a year,  which they now say was never possible based on the school’s internal failings.

Industry Reactions, Training Standards

An expert in flight training, retired airline captain Richard Levy,  offered insights on the case, noting that a one-year program is typical for earning core certifications in the industry. However, he stressed that the consistency and frequency of flight hours are very important. “It has to have structured, uniform training. Without that, no program can graduate safe, competent pilots,” he said.

Levy also raised alarm about instances of “students teaching students” and “non-pilots doing evaluations,” both of which would fall outside standard training protocols to such a degree that they could be seen as regulatory red flags.

The case has also reignited broader discussions in the industry about the adequacy and oversight of airline-operated flight schools. With a chronic shortage of pilots worldwide, particularly in North America, major airlines have established their own training academies to secure their future talent pipelines. However, the Aviate lawsuit could serve as a cautionary tale for carriers considering deals or further expansion regarding the quality of their education.

A Legal Test Case with Industry Implications

As of mid-April 2025, the lawsuit involves 29 former students from various geographical areas, including Florida, California, Texas, Connecticut, and Nevada. Consequently, the case may attract additional plaintiffs as word spreads.

The litigation will test how much responsibility a large airline has when a subsidiary educational program fails to deliver on its promises. If the court rules in favor of the students’ claims, the verdict could set a precedent impacting other airline-operated academies across the United States.

As it works to address immediate safety concerns, UA is defending its training approach, pointing to “hundreds of graduates” who have successfully completed the program. Even so, the spotlight is on its Arizona campus, and stakeholders across the aviation training landscape are paying attention.

Regardless of whether the case concludes in a settlement, trial, or systemic reform, it illustrates one important truth: the next generation of pilots is entitled to as rigorous, well-equipped, and reliable a training environment as the careers they are aspiring to build.

Stay connected at every stop along your journey! Get any Saily mobile data plan at 5% off with the code AIRWAYSMAG5 + up to 5GB free!