United Airlines and its Aviate Academy flight training school face a lawsuit from 29 disgruntled former students who claim the school lacked sufficient instructors and aircraft to properly train its students.

29 Former Students Sue United Airlines And Its Aviate Academy, Alleging Fraud

I’ve written before the United Aviate Academy, a Goodyear, Arizona flight school set up by United to provide another pipeline to fill its pilots seats. In 2021, United announced bold plans to train 5,000 pilots by 2030. At the time, CEO Scott Kirby said, “Our plan is for half of them to be women and people of color.”

“Over the next decade, United will train 5,000 pilots who will be guaranteed a job with United, after they complete the requirements of the Aviate program – and our plan is for half of them to be women and people of color. We’re excited that JPMorgan Chase has agreed to support our work to diversify our pilot ranks and create new opportunities for thousands of women and people of color who want to pursue a career in aviation.”

> Read More: United Airlines Targets Women, People Of Color In New Pilot Recruitment Campaign

But by 2023, the aviation academy faced many dismaying allegations from students, including charges of overturned instructors, insufficient equipment, and a dramatically delayed training timeline. The idea of students finishing the bulk of their training and being well on the road to becoming commercial airline pilots within one year proved to be unworkable for many students.

> Read More: United Aviate Academy Faces Concerning Allegations

And now, 29 of those former United Aviate students are suing the school and United Airlines in federal court, accusing the airline and its school of fraudulently promoting a “well-equipped, intensive training program that would put students on a path to becoming commercial pilots after a year.”

The lawsuit points to staffing shortages and a high staff turnover, even alleging that it reached a point in which students were training other students. It further alleges that although United promised to cap enrollment at 325 students in order “to ensure sufficient resources,” more than 380 students were enrolled in the program (in March 2024). One student claimed he was able to fly only “once or twice” during a multi-month period because he was repeatedly reassigned instructors and there were only 20 aircraft for the hundreds of students.

Lawsuit Claims Lives Turned Upside Down

Many students took on student debt and relocated to Arizona and attended the school, with many quitting thier jobs and one even selling his home. For them, it all-too-quickly became clear they would not finish the program in one year. Other students claim they were expelled from the program for “taking too long to advance” even though it was staff shortages that were responsible for their slow progress.

While United has chosen not to respond to the specific allegations of this lawsuit, it defended its school:

“We have the highest confidence in the rigorous curriculum and flight training program provided at United Aviate Academy and are proud of the school’s hundreds of graduates.”

Interestingly, United Aviate lost its accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. An investigation by that body prompted by student complaints led to the school being placed on probation for its enrollment numbers. The school responded, the lawsuit alleges, by expelling students. By January 2025, United “voluntarily” withdrew its accreditation. United says, it “is exploring an alternative accreditation that better meets the needs of the flight school.”

CONCLUSION

United Airlines and its flight school face a concerning lawsuit from 29 former United Aviate Academy students, alleging fraud. Frustration over the school has been simmering for years now and the lawsuit is not a surprise, considering all the complaints that have been emerging from current and former students.

You can read the complaint here.

image: United Airlines