Market overview
The global flight training market is worth USD 9.6 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 19.3 bn by 2036, growing at a 7.2% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Type rating and recurrent is the largest by training type segment.
| Scope | Flying training for commercial and general aviation pilots delivered in full flight simulators, training devices and aircraft, including ab initio, type rating and recurrent training. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Value 2025 | USD 9.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 9.6 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 19.3 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 7.2% |
| Volume 2026 | 15.7 million training hours |
| Volume 2036 | 25.9 million training hours |
| Average price 2026 | USD 612 per training hour |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Flight Training market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 9.6 bn |
| 2027 | USD 10.3 bn |
| 2028 | USD 11.1 bn |
| 2029 | USD 11.9 bn |
| 2030 | USD 12.7 bn |
| 2031 | USD 13.6 bn |
| 2032 | USD 14.6 bn |
| 2033 | USD 15.7 bn |
| 2034 | USD 16.8 bn |
| 2035 | USD 18.0 bn |
| 2036 | USD 19.3 bn |
Flight Training market segmentation
By training type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type rating and recurrent | 48.0% | 47.1% | USD 4.6 bn | 7.0% |
| Ab initio and licence training | 35.0% | 37.0% | USD 3.4 bn | 7.8% |
| Instrument and advanced ratings | 17.0% | 15.9% | USD 1.6 bn | 6.5% |
By delivery
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simulator based | 52.0% | 54.3% | USD 5.0 bn | 7.7% |
| Aircraft based | 38.0% | 35.1% | USD 3.7 bn | 6.4% |
| Ground school and online | 10.0% | 10.6% | USD 963 mn | 7.9% |
By trainee type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airline pilots | 52.0% | 52.0% | USD 5.0 bn | 7.2% |
| Business and general aviation | 26.0% | 24.0% | USD 2.5 bn | 6.3% |
| Rotary-wing pilots | 12.0% | 12.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 7.2% |
| Military and government | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 963 mn | 9.2% |
By training provider
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airline academies | 38.0% | 36.0% | USD 3.7 bn | 6.6% |
| Flight schools | 34.0% | 34.0% | USD 3.3 bn | 7.2% |
| Manufacturer and simulator centres | 28.0% | 30.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 7.9% |
By aircraft category
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow-body | 44.0% | 42.0% | USD 4.2 bn | 6.7% |
| Wide-body | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 2.1 bn | 7.2% |
| Regional and turboprop | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 7.2% |
| Light and business aircraft | 20.0% | 22.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 8.2% |
Top 25 countries for flight training by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 80.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.8%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 3.1 bn | 32.0% | USD 5.5 bn | 6.0% |
| 2 | China | USD 1.3 bn | 14.0% | USD 3.2 bn | 9.0% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | USD 578 mn | 6.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 6.1% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 482 mn | 5.0% | USD 869 mn | 6.1% |
| 5 | India | USD 482 mn | 5.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 11.0% |
| 6 | United Arab Emirates | USD 385 mn | 4.0% | USD 830 mn | 8.0% |
| 7 | France | USD 385 mn | 4.0% | USD 695 mn | 6.1% |
| 8 | Canada | USD 385 mn | 4.0% | USD 733 mn | 6.7% |
| 9 | Australia | USD 289 mn | 3.0% | USD 540 mn | 6.5% |
| 10 | Brazil | USD 289 mn | 3.0% | USD 598 mn | 7.5% |
| 11 | Spain | USD 190 mn | 2.0% | USD 384 mn | 7.3% |
| 12 | Italy | USD 169 mn | 1.8% | USD 342 mn | 7.3% |
| 13 | Japan | USD 150 mn | 1.6% | USD 305 mn | 7.3% |
| 14 | Ireland | USD 134 mn | 1.4% | USD 272 mn | 7.3% |
| 15 | South Korea | USD 119 mn | 1.2% | USD 241 mn | 7.3% |
| 16 | Turkey | USD 106 mn | 1.1% | USD 214 mn | 7.3% |
| 17 | Saudi Arabia | USD 94 mn | 1.0% | USD 205 mn | 8.0% |
| 18 | Qatar | USD 84 mn | 0.9% | USD 170 mn | 7.3% |
| 19 | Singapore | USD 75 mn | 0.8% | USD 151 mn | 7.2% |
| 20 | Netherlands | USD 66 mn | 0.7% | USD 135 mn | 7.3% |
| 21 | New Zealand | USD 59 mn | 0.6% | USD 120 mn | 7.4% |
| 22 | South Africa | USD 53 mn | 0.6% | USD 106 mn | 7.2% |
| 23 | Thailand | USD 47 mn | 0.5% | USD 102 mn | 8.0% |
| 24 | Malaysia | USD 41 mn | 0.4% | USD 85 mn | 7.5% |
| 25 | Mexico | USD 38 mn | 0.4% | USD 75 mn | 7.2% |
| Rest of world | USD 501 mn | 5.2% | USD 973 mn | 6.9% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- CAE
- FlightSafety International
- L3Harris Technologies
- Lufthansa Aviation Training
- Boeing
- Airbus
- Collins Aerospace
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Pan Am International Flight Academy
- TRU Simulation + Training
- Thales
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Frasca International
- Alsim
- Redbird Flight Simulations
- Elite Simulation Solutions
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- ATP Flight School
- CTC Aviation
- FTE Jerez
- Phoenix East Aviation
- Epic Flight Academy
- Moncton Flight College
- Aerosim Flight Academy
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the flight training market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 7.2% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by training type, by delivery, by trainee type, by training provider, by aircraft category. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the flight training market?
The global flight training market is estimated at USD 9.0 bn in 2025 and USD 9.6 bn in 2026.
How fast will the flight training market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 19.3 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 7.2% from 2026, an increase of USD 9.7 bn.
Which country is the largest market for flight training?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 3.1 bn in 2026, 32.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 52.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 11.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which flight training segment is largest?
In the by training type split, Type rating and recurrent is the largest segment with 48.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading flight training companies?
Global leaders include CAE, FlightSafety International, L3Harris Technologies, Lufthansa Aviation Training.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Travel and Tourism
- Travel Medical AssistanceUSD 9.6 bn · 7.0% CAGR
- Yacht CharterUSD 9.6 bn · 6.5% CAGR
- Global Distribution SystemUSD 9.3 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Baggages HandlingUSD 10.1 bn · 5.8% CAGR
- Air Traffic ManagementUSD 10.2 bn · 7.5% CAGR
- Airport ParkingUSD 10.4 bn · 5.0% CAGR
- Pilates StudioUSD 10.9 bn · 8.5% CAGR
- Water ParkUSD 8.3 bn · 6.2% CAGR