Picture Credits: United Aviate Academy
Arizona, USA: A group of 29 former students from across the United States has filed a federal lawsuit against United Airlines and its subsidiary flight school, United Aviate Academy (UAA), accusing the companies of fraud, deceptive trade practices, and misrepresentation surrounding the academy’s pilot training program.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, the lawsuit alleges that UAA and United Airlines falsely advertised a one-year, intensive training program designed to prepare students for careers as commercial airline pilots. Students claim they relied on these representations made through websites, social media, marketing materials, emails, and official statements when deciding to enroll in the program and take out substantial student loans to cover tuition, living expenses, and relocation costs.
“It Was Students Teaching Students”: Shortages, Delays, and Expulsions
The complaint asserts, the school failed to deliver on its promises due to significant staffing shortages, limited aircraft availability, and organizational instability. Many students said they encountered frequent instructor reassignments, inconsistent flight schedules, and long delays between flight lessons. One student said he was only able to fly once or twice over several months. Another reported having a different instructor for each of her first four flights, and by the eighth, was being trained by a fellow student. The lawsuit also alleges that some instructors evaluating student pilots were not licensed pilots themselves.
These operational issues, students argue, directly hindered their progress through the program. While some students left voluntarily upon realizing they would not graduate within the promised timeframe, others were expelled for “taking too long to advance,” despite delays caused by systemic limitations. The complaint further claims that UAA continued to admit new students even as existing students struggled, thereby worsening the strain on limited resources.
Originally opened in 2022 at Phoenix Goodyear Airport, the 340,000-square-foot academy was a key component of United Airlines’ strategy to address the industry-wide pilot shortage, which had intensified following the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread early retirements. The school operates a fleet of Cirrus SR-20 aircraft and claims to offer an “accelerated curriculum” that fosters accessibility and diversity in aviation while creating a streamlined path to employment with United.
Picture Credits: United Aviate Academy
Accreditation Withdrawal and Legal Fallout
However, according to the plaintiffs, the number of enrolled students far exceeded what the school could handle. While the program was reportedly capped at 325 students to maintain training quality, enrollment exceeded 380 by March 2024. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges issued a warning to the academy and placed it on probation by August of that year. In January, United Aviate Academy voluntarily withdrew from its accreditation status.
According to AP, a United spokesperson said the airline is “exploring an alternative accreditation that better meets the needs of the flight school.”
The lawsuit includes claims of fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent inducement, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, and violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. Plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, though no specific amount has been disclosed. A jury trial has been requested.
In a statement, United Airlines declined to address the allegations directly due to the ongoing litigation but expressed continued confidence in the program, saying: “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.”
Veteran pilot and instructor Richard Levy, who flew for a major international airline for over four decades, noted that a one-year training program aligns with industry norms. However, he emphasized that such a program must be structured and consistent, with adequate flight time. He also questioned the reported use of non-pilot evaluators, saying he had “never heard of” such a practice in aviation training.
The plaintiffs include students from several states, including Texas, California, Florida, Nevada, Connecticut, and Colorado. Many made significant life changes to attend the academy relocating, taking out loans, or quitting long-term jobs believing they were entering a reliable and professional training environment that would lead to gainful employment.
The lawsuit remains pending in federal court in Arizona.
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