contracts at most american airlines stipulate relatively low starting pay for new pilots with 10 years seniority needed to reach maximum pay for example an american airlines pilot with 10 years seniority and aircraft captain status makes $ 123420 per yearten year captains flying for delta airlines tend to make the most at $ 204636 annuallyontracts at most american airlines stipulate relatively low starting pay for new pilots with 10 years seniority needed to reach maximum pay for example an american airlines pilot with 10 years seniority and aircraft captain status makes $ 123420 per year