CHICAGO- A former student has filed a $500,000 lawsuit against United Aviate Academy (UAA), alleging misrepresentation and delays that disrupted her pilot training timeline at the United Airlines (UA) flight school.
The lawsuit stems from delays at the academy based at Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR), where the student claims the training failed to meet advertised timelines. This case follows a broader class action alleging similar concerns from other former students.
Photo: United Aviate AcademyUnited Aviate Academy Faces Lawsuit
United Airlines acquired Westwind School of Aeronautics in February 2020 and rebranded it as United Aviate Academy (UAA) to meet its goal of training over 10,000 new pilots.
Located at Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR), the academy was promoted as a fast-track program designed to provide all certifications to become a commercial pilot within 12 months.
The plaintiff, Carrie Lynne Thompson, enrolled in October 2022 after being assured of the one-year completion timeline.
Her complaint, initially filed on July 15, 2024, and amended on April 12, 2025, alleges she relied on widely disseminated claims about the academy’s pace—including printed advertisements, web content, and enrollment agreements, flagged Flying Mag.
Court documents outline a program structure consisting of seven sequential phases—from private pilot training to multiengine flight instructor certification—each with specific duration expectations.
However, Thompson claims it took her nine months just to obtain her Private Pilot License (PPL), which was supposed to be completed in two months.
She alleges this delay, and the overall training schedule extending beyond 18 months caused significant financial loss.
Prohibited from working during the program, she accrued over $49,000 in tuition, an estimated $25,000 in relocation costs, and forfeited approximately $100,000 in lost wages.
Photo: United Aviate AcademyBroader Pattern of Complaints
Thompson’s lawsuit echoes a March 2025 class action filed by several other former UAA students who allege similar experiences. That filing claimed some students received only around 300 hours of flight time over two years, far below expectations.
Students reportedly received vague reassurances like “we’re working out the kinks” when raising concerns. Many, according to Thompson, were dismissed from the academy for falling behind due to delays beyond their control.
A key moment highlighted in the complaint is a January 25, 2023, graduation ceremony attended by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. Thompson alleges only one student had actually completed the full program by that date, calling the event “purely for show.”
Thompson formally left the program in July 2023. She stated she was denied her request to return to work as a flight attendant while remaining enrolled at UAA, citing the financial burden and prolonged training duration as unsustainable.
Legal Arguments
Thompson’s complaint includes claims under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, false advertising, and promissory estoppel. She argues that the academy’s failure to meet its advertised training timeline constituted consumer fraud and caused significant emotional and financial distress.
United Airlines filed a motion to strike the amended complaint. On May 1, 2025, a federal judge granted that motion, ruling the revised filing included unauthorized new allegations and causes of action. Despite this setback, Thompson may still contest the decision and continue her case.
She is representing herself in the legal proceedings.
United Airlines has not directly addressed the specific allegations but told the Associated Press it maintains “the highest confidence” in UAA’s training quality and noted the successful graduation of hundreds of students.
Photo: UnitedImplications for Future Aviation Trainees
The lawsuit raises broader concerns about the transparency and accountability of airline-sponsored pilot academies, particularly for students making significant financial and career sacrifices.
If the courts side with Thompson or the class action group, the case could lead to increased scrutiny of fast-track training programs and their marketing practices—especially in an industry racing to address pilot shortages.
Prospective students considering such programs may now pay closer attention to actual completion rates and student experiences rather than advertised timelines.
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