Scott Kirby, who joined United Airlines as president in August 2016 following his departure from American Airlines, has since risen to become CEO and lead the company as the second-most profitable U.S. carrier after Delta. Despite past challenges, including being fired from American, Kirby maintains a focus on aggressive competition rather than revenge. He has championed a strategic overhaul at United by evaluating underperforming routes and investing in key hubs such as Los Angeles International and Washington Dulles, helping position United as a leader in both domestic and international travel.

Looking ahead, Kirby is prioritizing expanded operations at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, where United plans to return in partnership with JetBlue Airways as early as 2027. The airline is also set to announce a new slate of international destinations this week, continuing its established pattern of boosting loyalty through route growth. Kirby expressed interest in increasing United’s presence in South America and the Southeast U.S., though he acknowledges constraints due to limited airport infrastructure and competition from entrenched carriers like American, which dominates the Miami market.

On the topic of mergers, Kirby has publicly discussed the possibility of megamergers with United’s main rivals, American and Delta, but both efforts have been rebuffed amid skepticism from antitrust experts and the airlines themselves. He remains uninterested in acquiring smaller carriers such as JetBlue without a willing partner. Kirby emphasizes that United and Delta have differentiated themselves sufficiently through unique routes and service offerings, countering the notion of the airline industry as a commoditized market subject to antitrust opposition.

Kirby is also investing heavily in artificial intelligence to improve customer experience and operational reliability, aiming to simplify communication about delays and make travel smoother overall. Despite United’s struggles with punctuality compared to Delta and Alaska Airlines this year, he maintains a long-term vision focused on stability and growth without layoffs or furloughs. When asked about retirement, Kirby hopes for a graceful exit after ensuring a well-prepared leadership transition, underpinning his commitment to steady leadership at United.