LATAM offers up to R$160,000 hiring bonus to recruit pilots for new Embraer jet

Airline opens selection for E195-E2 commanders and first officers, with hiring from 2026, as it builds on post-pandemic turnaround.

Dec 15, 2025 6:00 PM

By Brazil Stock Guide – LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (NYSE: LTM) has opened positions for commanders and first officers to operate the Embraer E195-E2, offering a one-off hiring bonus of up to R$160,000 (about $32,000) as it secures crews ahead of the aircraft’s entry into service in late 2026. Hiring will begin in February 2026, with pilots trained before the first jets are delivered, highlighting growing competition for qualified flight crews in Brazil.

Applications will be accepted until January 4, 2026. Approved commanders will receive R$160,000, while first officers will be paid R$80,000 (roughly $16,000), both as a single payment. The E195-E2 is expected to strengthen LATAM’s domestic network, improving cost efficiency and right-sizing capacity on medium-density routes from hubs such as São Paulo.

“With the investment in the E2, we are further expanding opportunities for those who want to join a market-leading company in Brazil that is growing in a sustainable way,” said Jerome Cadier, chief executive officer of LATAM Brazil.

Post-pandemic edge

The recruitment drive follows LATAM’s emergence as the first of Brazil’s three largest airlines to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the pandemic, giving it a financial head start to invest in fleet renewal, staffing and network growth while rivals continued to repair balance sheets.

The company has also faced labor tensions elsewhere in the region. About one month ago, a pilots’ strike in Chile led to the cancellation of more than 170 flights, underscoring the operational sensitivity of crew availability across LATAM’s multi-country platform.

LATAM Brazil employs more than 22,000 people, including 2,300 pilots and 5,200 cabin crew, making it the country’s largest aviation employer. Since 2023, the number of flight crew has increased 20%, while internal mobility rose 46%, reflecting expansion in flying activity and career progression within the company. LATAM currently serves 59 airports across Brazil and plans to reach at least 63 by 2026, alongside the country’s largest international connectivity.