25 Pilot Costume Ideas for Adults and Kids

A pilot costume works because everyone knows the uniform. Four gold stripes, a peaked cap and a pair of wings say “captain” from across the street, and a leather helmet with goggles says “aviator” just as fast.

The job also has more history than almost any other costume. Pilots have flown in open-cockpit leather, shearling bomber jackets, Santiago Blue wool and fire-resistant flight suits, and plenty of them are famous enough to dress as by name.

The 25 ideas below start with airline and working pilots, move through aviation history from the airmail days to World War II, then cover military, kids, baby and DIY looks. For flight attendants, controllers and the rest of the airport, see our broader aviation Halloween costume ideas.

01. The Classic Airline Captain With Four Stripes

What it is A navy or black blazer with four gold stripes on each cuff, a white shirt with four-bar epaulettes, a black tie and a peaked cap with a gold-braided brim. A gold wing badge sits above the left breast pocket. Most store-bought sets include the cap, wings and clip-on epaulettes, and you supply the shirt.

Why it works Four stripes is the one detail everybody links to an airline captain, so nobody at the party has to ask what you are. It is also comfortable enough to wear all night, which few Halloween costumes can claim.

How to get it Pair a white dress shirt and black trousers with a costume captain’s hat, a wing pin and clip-on four-bar epaulettes. For the jacket version, sew or iron gold ribbon around the cuffs of a thrifted navy blazer. Finish with black shoes, aviator sunglasses and a small rolling bag.

02. The Women’s Airline Captain in a Tailored Suit

What it is A fitted navy blazer with four gold cuff stripes, slim trousers or a pencil skirt, a white shirt with captain’s epaulettes and a narrow tie. Top it with a peaked cap, pin the wings over the pocket and add low heels or loafers.

Why it works It is the sharpest version of the classic captain, and the stripes make it clear you are flying the plane rather than serving the drinks. The tailored cut also photographs far better than a boxy costume jacket.

How to get it Women’s pilot sets come with a fitted jacket or shirt, but a thrifted navy suit with gold ribbon stitched around the cuffs looks more convincing. Buy the cap, wings and epaulettes separately so you can pick the best of each. A slicked-back bun keeps the hair clear of the cap brim.

03. The First Officer With Three Stripes

What it is The captain’s uniform with one stripe fewer: three-bar epaulettes, three cuff stripes if you wear the jacket, a black tie and a peaked cap. The short-sleeve shirt version with a headset around the neck is the classic summer look.

Why it works It is the perfect partner costume for a friend dressed as the captain, since airliners fly with two pilots on the flight deck. Aviation fans will count the stripes, and the ones who do will love that you got it right.

How to get it Build it exactly like the captain, but buy three-bar epaulettes or cut one bar off a four-bar set. A short-sleeve white shirt with shoulder loops makes the epaulettes sit flat. Wheel a small carry-on behind you all night and use it as your candy bag.

04. The 1960s Jet-Age Captain

What it is A slim navy jacket with brass buttons and gold cuff braid, a skinny black tie, a tall-crowned peaked cap and a hard-sided briefcase. It is the look Leonardo DiCaprio wore as con man Frank Abagnale Jr., posing as a Pan Am pilot, in the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can.

Why it works The film is set in the 1960s, the golden age of Pan Am, and the costume carries all of that glamour. It also comes with a built-in joke: you can claim you are not really a pilot at all.

How to get it A slim-cut navy suit and a skinny tie do most of the work, with gold ribbon at the cuffs and a costume captain’s cap. Comb your hair into a neat side part with pomade. Carry a vintage briefcase and a prop checkbook for anyone who knows the film.

05. The Pilot Costume Dress

What it is A navy or white shirt dress with epaulettes, gold buttons and a belt, paired with a small pilot cap and a wing pin. It comes in fitted, A-line and bodycon cuts, and most sets include the cap and wings.

Why it works It is the lightest, easiest pilot costume to wear, and it works at parties where a full suit feels too formal. It also pairs perfectly with a friend in one of our flight attendant costume ideas.

How to get it Buy a women’s pilot costume set, or build one from a navy shirt dress with clip-on epaulettes and a wing pin. Add tights, ankle boots or heels, and aviator sunglasses. A small crossbody bag keeps your hands free for the cap.

06. The Private Jet Pilot in a Dark Suit

What it is A charcoal or navy suit, a white shirt, a dark tie and a small gold wing pin on the lapel, with no stripes at all. Add aviator sunglasses in the breast pocket and a slim tablet case in place of a flight bag.

Why it works It is the pilot who flies a small private jet and dresses like the executives in the back. It is the most grown-up costume on the list, and you can wear most of it to work the next day.

How to get it Wear your best dark suit and add a wing pin, which costs a few dollars online. Carry a tablet in a leather case and a prop envelope marked “for the crew,” a nod to the old question of tipping a private jet pilot. Polished shoes finish the look.

07. The Bush Pilot in Flannel and a Puffer Vest

What it is A flannel shirt, a down or canvas vest, cargo pants, waterproof boots and a ball cap, with an aviation headset slung around the neck. It is the working uniform of the bush pilot flying supplies and fishermen into remote strips and lakes.

Why it works It is the warmest costume on the list, which matters in a cold climate on October 31. It also tells a story: this pilot lands a floatplane like the de Havilland Beaver on a lake nobody else can reach.

How to get it Pull the flannel, vest, cargo pants and boots from your closet. Add a toy or retired headset around your neck, sunglasses and a folded map in the vest pocket. A fishing rod case or a duffel over the shoulder sells the backcountry flight.

08. The Helicopter Rescue Pilot

What it is A one-piece flight suit in orange, olive or tan, a survival vest with lots of pockets, gloves, boots and a helmet with a flip-down visor. It is the gear of the crews who fly search-and-rescue helicopters like the Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk.

Why it works Rescue pilots are heroes, which makes this a great costume for kids and adults alike. Orange also shows up well on a dark street, so it doubles as a safety choice.

How to get it Orange work coveralls from a hardware store are the cheapest base. Add a fishing or hunting vest, gloves and a bike or motocross helmet with a tinted visor. For more real-world roles to borrow from, our guide to helicopter pilot jobs covers medevac, firefighting and more.

09. The Drone Pilot

What it is A high-visibility vest, a ball cap, a controller hanging from a neck strap, a “Remote Pilot” badge and a small toy drone fixed to a headband so it hovers above your head. In the US, flying a drone for work takes an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, earned by passing a knowledge test.

Why it works It is the newest kind of pilot, and the hovering drone gets a laugh every time you turn your head. Teens love it, and it costs very little to make.

How to get it Hot-glue a lightweight toy drone to a stiff wire and wrap the other end around a headband. Hang an old game controller or a toy remote on a lanyard, and print a badge that says “Remote Pilot.” A yellow safety vest from any hardware store finishes the look.

10. The 1920s Airmail Pilot

What it is A long leather flying coat, riding breeches, tall lace-up boots, a leather helmet and goggles, plus a canvas mail sack stuffed with envelopes. Charles Lindbergh flew the mail in exactly this kind of open-cockpit gear in 1926, on the Chicago to St. Louis contract route in a de Havilland DH-4.

Why it works The mail sack is the best candy bag on the list. The costume also comes with a great story: Lindbergh bailed out of his mail plane twice on that route, the year before he flew the Atlantic.

How to get it A long faux-leather trench coat and riding pants tucked into tall boots make the base. Add a costume leather helmet and goggles. Stencil “U.S. MAIL” on a canvas laundry bag and fill it with old envelopes before the candy goes in.

11. Amelia Earhart

What it is A worn brown leather flying coat, loose trousers, lace-up boots, a silk scarf and a leather helmet with goggles, finished with short, tousled hair. Earhart bought her own leather flying coat early in her career, then slept in it and stained it with aircraft oil so it would not look new.

Why it works She is one of the most famous pilots in history: in 1932 she became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic. She vanished over the Pacific in 1937, and she is a school-report favorite for girls and boys alike.

How to get it Look for a brown faux-leather jacket and scuff it up a little, just as she did. Add wide trousers, boots, a white or cream scarf and a costume aviator helmet. A short curly wig or pinned-up curls completes the silhouette.

12. Bessie Coleman

What it is A belted military-style tunic, riding breeches, tall boots and a peaked cap. Her best-known photographs show her in a uniform like this, with her initials “B.C.” on the front of the cap.

Why it works Coleman became the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license, on June 15, 1921, after training at a flying school in France. She belongs on any list of famous firsts in aviation, and the costume is a standout for school history days.

How to get it An olive or khaki safari or military-style jacket with a belt makes the base, with jodhpurs tucked into riding boots. Stitch or glue a small “B.C.” emblem on the front of a peaked cap. Carry goggles and leather gloves, and learn one fact about her to share at every door.

13. The Red Baron

What it is A field gray officer’s tunic, riding breeches, tall black boots, a peaked cap or leather helmet and a blue cross at the collar. That cross is the Pour le Mérite, nicknamed the Blue Max, which Manfred von Richthofen received in January 1917.

Why it works Credited with 80 air victories, Richthofen was the top ace of World War I and is still one of the best fighter pilots ever. Fun fact for the party: only 19 of those victories came in his famous red Fokker triplane.

How to get it A gray military-style coat or tunic, riding pants and tall boots are the base. Hang a blue costume cross medal at the collar and carry a red toy triplane. Team up with a friend dressed as idea 14 for the rivalry every Peanuts fan knows.

14. Snoopy the Flying Ace

What it is A white hoodie and sweatpants with floppy black ears, plus the Flying Ace kit: a leather helmet, goggles, a long scarf and a swagger stick. Add a cardboard doghouse with a red roof, which in the comic strip stands in for a Sopwith Camel fighter.

Why it works Snoopy first took to the skies as the Flying Ace on October 10, 1965, and has been losing dogfights to the Red Baron ever since. Kids and grandparents recognize him instantly, and the costume is as comfortable as pajamas.

How to get it Sew or glue black felt ears to a white hoodie and draw a black nose on with face paint. Add a costume aviator helmet, goggles and a long scarf. Paint the doghouse on a cardboard sandwich board, or skip it and shake your fist at the sky shouting “Curse you, Red Baron!”

15. The WWII Bomber Pilot in a Sheepskin Jacket

What it is A B-3 style sheepskin shearling jacket with a thick wool collar, matching trousers or olive pants, fleece-lined boots, a soft-crowned officer’s cap and a prop oxygen mask. The B-3 was built for bomber crews who faced temperatures as low as -58°F (-50°C) on high-altitude raids.

Why it works The sheepskin sets it apart from the more common leather fighter jacket, and it is the warmest historical costume here. It is the gear of the men who flew heavy bombers like the B-17 Flying Fortress.

How to get it A brown faux-shearling aviator jacket is the key buy, and it is a great winter coat afterward. Add olive pants, boots and a crush-style cap. A cheap costume oxygen mask or a length of black tubing clipped to the collar finishes the look.

16. The WASP Pilot in Santiago Blue

What it is A belted jacket and skirt in Santiago Blue wool, a white shirt, a black tie, a beret, black pumps or oxfords, gloves and silver wings. WASP director Jacqueline Cochran had it designed with Bergdorf Goodman and tailored by Neiman Marcus, and the color later became Air Force blue.

Why it works The Women Airforce Service Pilots flew military aircraft across the US in 1943 and 1944, and 1,074 of them earned their wings. They won veteran status in 1977 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009, so the costume carries a story most people have never heard.

How to get it Look for a mid-blue skirt suit with a belted jacket and add a matching beret, a white shirt and a black tie. Silver costume wings go on the chest. For a funnier version, wear oversized men’s coveralls rolled at the cuffs: WASP trainees called theirs “zoot suits.”

17. The Tuskegee Airman

What it is A brown A-2 style leather flight jacket over an olive shirt and tie, olive trousers, a soft-crowned cap, silver pilot wings and a leather helmet with goggles. A red scarf nods to the “Red Tails,” the nickname that came from the red paint on their fighters’ tails.

Why it works The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the US armed forces, and about 992 pilots trained there between 1941 and 1946. They are best remembered in the P-51 Mustang, and their story is a school history-day favorite.

How to get it An A-2 style leather or faux-leather jacket is the anchor, with olive pants, a khaki shirt and a dark tie. Add silver costume wings, a red scarf and a model P-51 with its tail painted red. The Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007, a good fact to bring along.

18. The Modern Fighter Pilot in a Flight Suit and G-Suit

What it is A sage green flight suit, a G-suit worn over the legs and waist, a harness, flight boots, and a helmet with a tinted visor and an oxygen mask. The G-suit’s air bladders squeeze the legs and abdomen during hard turns so blood stays in the upper body and brain.

Why it works Most fighter pilot costumes stop at the flight suit, so the G-suit makes yours look like it came off the flight line. It is also a great opener for a chat about how many Gs fighter pilots pull.

How to get it Buy a costume flight suit or sage coveralls, then fake the G-suit with olive cargo chaps or a tactical leg rig and a short length of hose at the hip. Add a toy jet helmet or a visored motorcycle helmet. For specific movie characters, see our Top Gun costume ideas.

19. The Aerobatic Air Show Pilot

What it is A bright one-piece suit with bold racing stripes, a white helmet or ball cap, white gloves and aviator sunglasses. The signature touch is a smoke trail of white cotton streamers pinned to your back.

Why it works It is the loudest, happiest pilot costume here, inspired by the solo pilots who tumble aerobatic planes like the Extra 300L over air show crowds. The smoke trail moves as you walk, which makes it great in a Halloween parade.

How to get it Buy bright work coveralls and add stripes with colored duct tape. Twist cotton batting or white tulle into ropes and safety-pin them to the back. Add a white helmet, gloves and sunglasses, and practice a slow roll on the dance floor.

20. The Kids’ Airline Captain

What it is A child-size white shirt with epaulettes, a clip-on tie, a captain’s cap and a wing badge, often sold with a toy headset or walkie-talkie. Sets usually run from toddler sizes up to around age 10.

Why it works It is not scary, it is comfortable, and kids get to be the boss of the whole plane. It also earns a second life in the dress-up box and at an airplane birthday party.

How to get it Buy a kids’ pilot set, or add clip-on epaulettes and a small cap to a white school shirt. A small backpack becomes the flight bag for candy. Let them make a “welcome aboard” announcement at every door.

21. The Kids’ Fighter Pilot Flight Suit

What it is A child-size one-piece zip flight suit in olive, sage or navy, with pockets, a Velcro name tag and a few fun patches. Many sets add a toy helmet with a flip-up visor.

Why it works The long sleeves and full legs keep kids warm on a cold night, and there is room for a sweater underneath. The name tag lets them pick their own call sign, which is half the fun.

How to get it Buy a kids’ flight suit and order a custom embroidered name tag with their call sign. Iron on a couple of patches they choose themselves. A toy helmet or a bike helmet with stickers finishes it.

22. Baby’s First Pilot Costume

What it is A tiny faux-leather or fleece bomber jacket, a knit aviator hat with ear flaps and stitched-on felt goggles, a onesie and soft booties. Some versions come as a single onesie printed to look like a flight jacket.

Why it works Aviator hats are real winter hats, so the costume keeps a baby warm in the stroller and gets worn long after Halloween. It also makes the cutest photo for anyone who built an airplane nursery.

How to get it Look for knit aviator hats in the baby winter-wear section and pair one with a small fleece jacket. Skip hard plastic goggles, metal wing pins and small buttons, which are choking hazards. A plush toy plane makes the photo prop.

23. The Red-Eye Zombie Captain

What it is The classic captain’s uniform, torn and stained, with a crooked tie, a tilted cap, pale makeup and dark circles under the eyes. Carry a crumpled coffee cup as the finishing prop.

Why it works It is the captain who has flown one red-eye too many, which gets a laugh from anyone who has ever taken an overnight flight. It is also the scariest pilot costume on the list for a party that wants horror.

How to get it Buy a cheap white shirt from a thrift store, soak it in strong tea, then rip the hem and cuffs. Add costume epaulettes, a loose tie, fake blood and gray face paint. Shuffle slowly and mumble “we are beginning our final descent.”

24. DIY Pilot Wings and Epaulettes

What it is Homemade epaulettes cut from black craft foam and striped with gold tape, plus a pair of wings cut from gold cardstock or glitter foam. Pinned or taped to a white shirt, they turn it into a pilot uniform.

Why it works It takes about 20 minutes and costs almost nothing, and you can make a stack for a whole class or party. It also works as one of the easier airplane activities for kids.

How to get it Cut two 2 by 5 inch (5 by 13 cm) rectangles from black foam and add four gold tape stripes for a captain, or three for a first officer. Trace a wing shape about 3 inches (8 cm) wide on gold cardstock and cut it out. Attach everything with safety pins or double-sided tape.

25. The Last-Minute Pilot From Your Closet

What it is A white button-down shirt, dark trousers, a dark tie, aviator sunglasses and a wristwatch, with gold tape stripes on the shoulders. A printed boarding pass or a “Captain” name badge makes the job clear.

Why it works Almost everyone owns these pieces, so it costs nothing and takes five minutes. A good pair of aviator sunglasses does more to say “pilot” than any other single item.

How to get it Put on the shirt, trousers and tie, then run strips of gold washi tape across the shoulders. Slide on the sunglasses and print a boarding pass to tuck in your pocket. Deliver the occasional cabin announcement, and you are cleared for the party.