# 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.*

- Published: 2025-12-15
- Updated: 2025-12-16
- Section: Insights
- Tags: airlines, Aviation, Brazil, Embraer, Labor market, latam, Pilots
- URL: https://brazilstockguide.com/insights/latam-pilot-hiring-bonus-embraer-e195-e2/

![](https://i0.wp.com/brazilstockguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Latam.jpg?fit=902%2C602&ssl=1)

**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.

---

Source: Brazil Stock Guide, https://brazilstockguide.com/insights/latam-pilot-hiring-bonus-embraer-e195-e2/