Scott Kirby

“One of the things also I learned at American: There's only so much change you can make as the No. 2,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby reflected on the limitations of serving as the second-in-command executive at American Airlines.

“They no longer tell me in advance because they're afraid I'll spill the beans, which is fair,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby explained why his team keeps upcoming international route announcements secret from him.

“We got a bunch of irons in the fire to try to find ways to do it,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby discussed efforts to expand United's presence at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

“Those are two places that are holes for United that are hard to fix on a stand-alone basis,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby discussed the difficulty of expanding United's network into South America and the Southeast U.S. independently.

“Everyone thinks I do, but no, I don't,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby addressed perceptions about seeking revenge after being fired by American Airlines a decade earlier.

“I firmly believe in no excuses, and so we don't make excuses,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby highlighted his philosophy regarding customer communication about airline delays.

“You can push too hard and you get fired.”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby discussed the career risks of pushing for too much change as a subordinate executive.

“I hope I will know when to retire and do it gracefully with a great transition with great people.”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby commented on his long-term perspective regarding his eventual retirement.

“All of the objections are ... based on a premise that the airline industry is a commodity.”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby pushed back against antitrust scrutiny regarding potential airline industry mergers.

“I joke that most people take a few weeks, a couple months between jobs. I took 60 seconds,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby recalled how quickly he moved to United after being let go by American Airlines in 2016.

“Everything I say would require a willing partner,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby noted that any major airline merger would depend on having a cooperative partner.

“That's still the case,”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby reaffirmed that he has no interest in acquiring a smaller airline such as JetBlue.

“My job is to set the company up so none of you ever have to have a sleepless night worrying about your jobs.”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby described his mission to provide long-term job security for United Airlines employees.

“Our employees often ask me like, 'What keeps you awake at night,' and I tell them, 'nothing,'”

Scott Kirby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Scott Kirby shared how he responds to employees who ask what keeps him awake at night.