United Airlines last week announced the start of its training program as the airline industry faces down projections of a massive pilot shortage over the next decade.

The United Aviate Academy is the first flight school owned by a major U.S. airline. United welcomed its first class of students, which is made up of 80% women or people of color.
"Our pilots are the best in the industry and have set a high standard of excellence," United CEO Scott Kirby said in a press release. "Recruiting and training even more people who have that same level of talent, motivation and skill is the right thing to do and will make us an even better airline."