Top 10 Airlines Hiring OPT Students

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read

The top 10 airlines hiring OPT students include NetJets, American Airlines, and Jet Linx Aviation, representing a wide range of airline and aviation employers, from major carriers and regional operators to aviation maintenance and logistics companies. Migrate Mate is tracking 92 live OPT jobs across these employers as of October 22, 2026, updated daily. For F-1 students, working at an airline on OPT means securing a role related to your field of study with no employer filing required, the work authorization is yours, and the employer simply hires you.

Which airlines hire the most OPT students?

Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily

  1. 01
    NetJets

    NetJets

    Private AviationFleet ManagementFinance

    NetJets has 27 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any airline on this list. Its openings concentrate in Software Engineering and Compliance & Legal. NetJets provides private aviation services through fractional aircraft ownership and charter flight programs.

    Open roles by team

    • Software Engineering14
    • Compliance & Legal12
    • Cloud & DevOps10
    • Data Science & Analytics10
    • Account Management5

    +59 roles across other teams

    Open roles at NetJets27 open
    Analytics Engineer
    Columbus, Ohio · On-site
    Apply
    Labor Relations Analyst
    Columbus, Ohio · On-site
    Apply
    Sales Executive, Associate
    California · On-site
    Apply
    Staff Accountant
    Columbus, Ohio · On-site
    Apply
    Software Engineer, Senior
    Columbus, Ohio · On-site
    Apply
    See all NetJets OPT jobs
  2. 02
    American Airlines

    American Airlines

    Commercial AviationOperationsLogistics

    American Airlines has 20 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Project & Program Management and Teaching & Instruction. American Airlines operates one of the world's largest commercial airline networks, connecting hundreds of domestic and international destinations.

    Open roles by team

    • Project & Program Management11
    • Teaching & Instruction8
    • Cloud & DevOps7
    • Cybersecurity6
    • Human Resources5

    +51 roles across other teams

    Open roles at American Airlines20 open
    Service Manager
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Sr Specialist, Safety Operations Partner
    Tulsa, Oklahoma · On-site
    Apply
    Sr Associate Engineer, IT Software
    Fort Worth, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Developer, Inflight Training Development
    Fort Worth, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Sr Associate Analyst, IT Cybersecurity Business Engagement
    Fort Worth, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all American Airlines OPT jobs
  3. 03
    Jet Linx Aviation

    Jet Linx Aviation

    Private AviationClient ServicesOperations

    Jet Linx Aviation has 14 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Accounting and Tax. Jet Linx Aviation offers private jet management, charter, and ownership programs through a network of U.S. terminals.

    Open roles by team

    • Accounting2
    • Tax1
    • Audit1
    • Finance1
    Open roles at Jet Linx Aviation14 open
    Pilot in Command
    Omaha, Nebraska · On-site
    Apply
    Second in Command – Hawker 800XP
    Scottsdale, Arizona · On-site
    Apply
    Second in Command – CJ3
    Wheeling, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Second in Command
    Scottsdale, Arizona · On-site
    Apply
    Second in Command – Citation XLS+
    Sterling, Virginia · On-site
    Apply
    See all Jet Linx Aviation OPT jobs
  4. Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors

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  5. 04
    Frontier Airlines

    Frontier Airlines

    Commercial AviationOperationsCustomer Experience

    Frontier Airlines has 6 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Warehouse & Logistics and Compliance & Legal. Frontier Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier serving domestic U.S. routes with a focus on fuel-efficient operations.

    Open roles by team

    • Warehouse & Logistics9
    • Compliance & Legal3
    • Business Analysis2
    • Procurement & Purchasing2
    • Project & Program Management2

    +3 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Frontier Airlines6 open
    Coordinator, HR Compliance Programs
    Denver, Colorado · On-site
    Apply
    Analyst II - Material Ops
    Denver, Colorado · On-site
    Apply
    Supervisor - Material Services
    Cleveland, Ohio · On-site
    Apply
    Manager - Risk & Insurance
    Denver, Colorado · Hybrid
    Apply
    Senior Analyst - Strategic Sourcing
    Denver, Colorado · On-site
    Apply
    See all Frontier Airlines OPT jobs
  6. 05
    Air Wisconsin Airlines

    Air Wisconsin Airlines

    Regional AviationOperationsMaintenance

    Air Wisconsin Airlines has 5 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Accounting and Warehouse & Logistics. Air Wisconsin Airlines operates regional feeder flights on behalf of major U.S. network carriers.

    Open roles by team

    • Accounting3
    • Warehouse & Logistics3
    • Finance2
    • Compliance & Legal2
    • Project & Program Management2

    +9 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Air Wisconsin Airlines5 open
    Materials Planning & Procurement Manager
    Appleton, Wisconsin · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Support Specialist
    Appleton, Wisconsin · Hybrid
    Apply
    Inflight Domicile Manager
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin · On-site
    Apply
    Accounts Payable Specialist
    Appleton, Wisconsin · On-site
    Apply
    Quality Assurance Auditor
    Appleton, Wisconsin · On-site
    Apply
    See all Air Wisconsin Airlines OPT jobs
  7. Editor’s note

    How this list is ranked

    These employers are ranked by how many roles open to OPT candidates they have live on Migrate Mate right now. OPT is your own work authorization rather than something the employer files, so the practical question is whether the role fits your field of study and whether the team has hired people on OPT before.

  8. 06
    PHI Aviation, LLC

    PHI Aviation, LLC

    Helicopter ServicesAviation SafetyOperations

    PHI Aviation, LLC has 5 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Business Analysis and Finance. PHI Aviation provides helicopter transportation services primarily for the oil and gas industry and air medical operations.

    Open roles by team

    • Business Analysis4
    • Finance2
    • Accounting2
    • Business Development2
    • Engineering (Non-Software)2

    +11 roles across other teams

    Open roles at PHI Aviation, LLC5 open
    Customer Support Specialist
    New Iberia, Louisiana · On-site
    Apply
    Account Manager
    New Iberia, Louisiana · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Draftsman
    Lafayette, Louisiana · On-site
    Apply
    Operations, PE Analyst
    Lafayette, Louisiana · On-site
    Apply
    Operations, PE Analyst Intern
    Lafayette, Louisiana · On-site
    Apply
    See all PHI Aviation, LLC OPT jobs
  9. 07
    Global Crossing Airlines

    Global Crossing Airlines

    Charter AviationCargoOperations

    Global Crossing Airlines has 5 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Warehouse & Logistics and Accounting. Global Crossing Airlines operates charter and ACMI wet-lease services for passengers and cargo across the Americas.

    Open roles by team

    • Warehouse & Logistics4
    • Accounting3
    • Audit2
    • Finance2
    • Business Analysis2

    +6 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Global Crossing Airlines5 open
    Purdue Operational Rotation Program
    Harlingen, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Buyer AOG
    Miami, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Cost Analyst
    Miami, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Aircraft Planner
    Killeen, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Sr. Accounting Analyst
    Miami, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all Global Crossing Airlines OPT jobs
  10. See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more

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  11. 08
    United Airlines

    United Airlines

    Commercial AviationTechnologyOperations

    United Airlines has 4 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Warehouse & Logistics and Teaching & Instruction. United Airlines operates a global hub-and-spoke network spanning domestic, transatlantic, transpacific, and Latin American markets.

    Open roles by team

    • Warehouse & Logistics5
    • Teaching & Instruction4
    • Project & Program Management4
    • Software Engineering2
    • Technical Program Management2

    +2 roles across other teams

    Open roles at United Airlines4 open
    Regulatory AQP Instructional Systems Designer
    Houston, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Technical Planner
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Technical Planner
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Enterprise Integration Platform Developer / Technical Lead
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    See all United Airlines OPT jobs
  12. 09
    Urban Outfitters

    Urban Outfitters

    RetailSupply ChainTechnology

    Urban Outfitters has 3 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Marketing and Design (UX & Creative). Urban Outfitters is a lifestyle retail company operating clothing, accessories, and home goods brands across North America and Europe.

    Open roles by team

    • Marketing4
    • Design (UX & Creative)4
    • Customer Service2
    • Product Management2
    • Customer Service & Support2

    +2 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Urban Outfitters3 open
    UI / UX Designer
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Designer
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Buyer
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    See all Urban Outfitters OPT jobs
  13. 10
    Barfield

    Barfield

    Aviation MROAvionicsEngineering

    Barfield has 3 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Software Engineering and Business Development. Barfield delivers aircraft avionics repair, ground support equipment, and maintenance services to airlines worldwide.

    Open roles by team

    • Software Engineering3
    • Business Development2
    • Engineering (Non-Software)2
    • Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering2
    • Sales1

    +1 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Barfield3 open
    Embedded Software Engineer
    Miami, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Electrical Design Engineer
    Miami, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Sales Manager
    Miami, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all Barfield OPT jobs

How OPT works

OPT is work authorization for F-1 students, not an employer-sponsored visa. The student applies through their school's international office (the DSO) and USCIS with Form I-765; the employer files nothing. The role must relate to the student's field of study. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees.

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Airlines OPT Employers: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies hire the most OPT students?

NetJets has the most, with 27 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by American Airlines (20) and Jet Linx Aviation (14). Across the 10 airlines on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 92 live OPT jobs, updated daily.

Who is eligible for OPT?

F-1 students enrolled full time at a U.S. college or university are eligible for OPT after completing their degree. Standard post-completion OPT authorizes up to 12 months of work in a role directly related to the student's field of study. Students who graduated in a qualifying STEM field may apply for a STEM OPT extension, adding up to 24 additional months. You apply through your Designated School Official and USCIS, the employer is not involved in the authorization process.

How much does F-1 OPT cost?

F-1 OPT is student work authorization, so there is no employer sponsorship fee. The student pays the USCIS filing fee for the work-authorization application, plus any costs their school charges. Fee amounts change from time to time, so check the current figure before you rely on it.

How do I get OPT through a top employer?

OPT work authorization is obtained by the student, not the employer. You begin by requesting a new I-20 from your Designated School Official recommending OPT, then file Form I-765 with USCIS to receive your Employment Authorization Document. Once your EAD arrives and your authorized start date begins, you may start working at a hiring airline in a role related to your field of study. Apply to open positions at carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United Airlines while your EAD application is in process, since USCIS processing can take several weeks.