From Dream to Delta: Miguel Diaz’s Journey from CAU to the Majors
For Miguel Diaz, the dream of becoming a pilot wasn’t just his—it was his father’s too. Growing up in Ontario, California, Diaz always liked airplanes. His father had wanted to be a pilot but never had the opportunity. That dream, passed down, became Miguel’s dream.
“I don’t think I ever wanted to do anything else,” Diaz said.
After deciding on the airline career path, Diaz’s pilot journey took off when he enrolled in the bachelor’s of aeronautics degree at California Aeronautical University (CAU) in August 2018. Drawn to the school’s streamlined process, support, and proximity to home, Diaz found a place where his goals could take flight. “They handled everything from scheduling to financial aid, plus my instructors were all very helpful who wanted to see all the students succeed,” he said.
Within months, Diaz completed his first solo flight, then quickly progressed through the ranks—earning his private pilot, instrument, commercial, and CFI ratings, all within about a year. By the end of 2019, he was not just a student, but an instrument flight instructor, sharing his passion for flying with the next generation.
Diaz also worked as a check instructor and team manager of flight instruction at CAU, giving him a new perspective. “It helped me mature as a pilot,” he explained. “There are a lot of different personalities out there, so teaching helped me get a feel for how different students learn which helped me a great deal.”
By December 2020, Diaz earned his multiengine rating and in mid-2021, landed his first airline job with SkyWest. After 18 months flying regionally, he was hired by Frontier Airlines, and less than a year later, he received a call to the majors: Delta Air Lines had offered him a position as a first officer.
“I felt accomplished,” Diaz said. “I felt like one of my biggest goals in life was about to come true.”
Now based in Salt Lake City, Diaz flies the Airbus A319, A320, and A321 for Delta, enjoying a wide variety of routes—from the mountains in Montana to the Caribbean beaches – and handing out Delta trading cards to passengers who visit the flight deck.
While commuting from Las Vegas has been an adjustment, advancing to a major airline has provided a lot of structure and support. “The crews are super friendly. Everyone wants to see you succeed, everyone wants to see the company succeed so we’re all working towards a common goal.”
Even with his success, Diaz remains grounded. He reminds aspiring pilots to appreciate training. “Enjoy flying the Cessnas and Barons, study with a group of friends, and enjoy the process. People end up missing it.”
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