United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby used to be the president of American Airlines, before essentially being told that he wouldn’t be picked as the next CEO. At that point he moved to United, where it seems like one of his top priorities has been to do everything possible to destroy American… despite then also saying he wants United to buy American, to essentially save the carrier.
Despite all his trash talking, Kirby is constantly spotted traveling on American, which might confuse people, on the surface. So what exactly is going on here, and why is Kirby flying American? Well, there’s a pretty straightforward explanation…
In this post:
Kirby lives in Dallas, commutes to Chicago, often flies American
United is based in Chicago, and despite the fact that Kirby has been working at the airline for a decade, since 2016, he doesn’t actually live there. Instead, he still lives in Dallas, also home to his former employer (well, American is based on Fort Worth, but close enough):
- Kirby has several children, and I guess they didn’t want to uproot their lives and switch schools when he moved from American to United
- Texas has no state income taxes, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s also a consideration (I’m not an expert in Illinois taxation, though, obviously)
- Still, commuting for a decade and not consistently being with your family sounds not terribly fun (though perhaps it allows him to focus better, because I can’t imagine what it’s like to have seven kids!)
Anyway, The Daily Mail covers how Kirby is frequently spotted flying on American. So what explains that? Well, since Kirby was a senior executive at American, he gets unlimited positive space travel privileges at the airline, even though he’s now at United. So as long as a seat is for sale (in any cabin), he can confirm it at no cost, along with all kinds of other privileges (like lounge access — not that I imagine Admirals Clubs get him very excited).
Between Dallas (DFW) and Chicago (ORD), American operates an average of 14 flights per day, while United operates an average of seven flights per day. So I imagine on some level, he’s often flying American simply because the schedule is better.
Technically, it sounds like his travel privileges can only be used for personal travel, and not for business reasons. Though I suppose commuting home from work would be considered a “personal” reason.
Could there be another reason Kirby prefers flying American?
Two other potential reasons come to mind that I could see Kirby choosing to fly American over United.
First, Kirby is a very principled person, and (at least subconsciously) I imagine he loves taking away a seat that could be sold on American, and leaving it to be sold on United.
He loves to spite American wherever he can, and that seems like a small way to do it, and I’m sure it gets on the nerves of some people at American. Hey, cheap thrills! Now, Kirby earned over $32 million in 2025, so I think he could afford his own tickets, but what’s the fun in that? 😉
For that matter, I think on some level he probably just prefers the peace and quiet of flying on American. Airline CEOs are pretty public figures when they’re flying on their own airline, given how invested frequent flyers sometimes are in the airlines. And that says nothing of employees, and the “feedback” they often provide to executives.
When flying American, I’m sure Kirby absolutely gets spotted by long time employees, and maybe some passengers. But I suspect he doesn’t get nearly the level of attention on American that he gets on United. So if he actually wants to work (or read a book, or nap — all of which he’s a fan of), it seems that’s much more likely to happen on American than United.
In general, I commend airline executives for flying competing airlines, since it’s good to see what other carriers offer. I think far too many executives only fly their own airline, and obviously don’t get the “real” experience. But in the case of Kirby, I don’t think that’s the primary motivation.
Bottom line
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby frequently flies on American, which might cause some people to do a double take. The explanation for this is pretty straightforward — he lives in Dallas, home to his former employer, and commutes to Chicago. Since he was a former senior American executive, he gets unlimited positive space travel on the airline, and the carrier has twice as many frequencies in the market as United.
At least that’s the primary motivation. Kirby can be a bit of a petty guy, as I see it, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he also loves taking away seats from American any chance he gets, or even getting on the nerves of people at American, who surely see that he’s doing this.
What do you make of Kirby’s frequent flights on American?
“The reality is that the 58-year-old executive is simply making use of a highly lucrative lifetime travel benefit granted to him as part of a severance package when he departed a senior leadership role at American Airlines almost a decade ago. The exit clause guarantees him and his immediate family unlimited, reserved travel in any class of service across the entire network, provided the journey is strictly for personal purposes rather than United corporate business”....
“The reality is that the 58-year-old executive is simply making use of a highly lucrative lifetime travel benefit granted to him as part of a severance package when he departed a senior leadership role at American Airlines almost a decade ago. The exit clause guarantees him and his immediate family unlimited, reserved travel in any class of service across the entire network, provided the journey is strictly for personal purposes rather than United corporate business”. (IBTimes)
Some aviation ‘ex-pert’ Walter Mitty Dunn turns out to be …. is that why he was reportedly given the boot by DL?
“However, Bastian revealed that rising energy costs directly hit Delta’s bottom line by nearly $2 billion, forcing the airline's hand in raising ticket prices”. (Fox News)
7 kids - I'd be away from home as much as possible too!
AA bathrooms have reclining toilet.
Easy to take a nap.
Solid!
Actually Kirby likes the small of America Airline bathroom better.
Oops likes smell and small of AA bathrooms
Kirby is great. Let him do whatever. Hopefully, he stays in charge long enough so that MBA study books are written about him.
Forgot to mention, there's no way around the fact that Bastian is just a fart in the wind compared to Kirby.
someone was bound to be stupid enough to go there.
you might want to read Barron's article "Delta Shares Are Flying With Ed Bastian in the Cockpit"
as I have said before, Delta is the leader in the US airline industry and Bastian has had a more successful tenure than any other US airline, perhaps ever.
DAL has the highest revenue and market cap of any airline in the world, is the most profitable US...
someone was bound to be stupid enough to go there.
you might want to read Barron's article "Delta Shares Are Flying With Ed Bastian in the Cockpit"
as I have said before, Delta is the leader in the US airline industry and Bastian has had a more successful tenure than any other US airline, perhaps ever.
DAL has the highest revenue and market cap of any airline in the world, is the most profitable US airline - and theME3 aren't going to be in DL's profit league for a while to come.
Bastian might not be the most flashy exec but he does his job far better than Kirby could ever hope to do.
and specific to the DL-UA relationship, it says volumes that Kirby has said many times how much he learned watching DL.
As much as he loves to trash talk other airlines including AA, he didn't even bother to respond w/ a new route when DL announced LAX-ORD and LAX-HKG; the former is reportedly doing very well.
DL has outsmarted plenty of airlines but has largely left UA to do what it wants.
It is very significant that AA and WN are recovering from their self-inflicted wounds at the same time that DL has decided to target UA on its home turf - TPAC and the west coast.
The sledding is about ready to get tough for Kirby; Bastian clearly intends to stick around a bit longer to make it clear that DL and Bastian's legacy will be untouchable, esp. by Kirby.
While there is no money exchanged for his ticket or AA club - it is recognized as imputed income and thus reported to the IRS. Let’s say a OW fare from DFWORD is $1,500. He does not pay this, but it is paid for by an AA Travel Card and that value is reported to the IRS as income. WN does something weird, but AA, DL, and UA and their predecessors have always used a...
While there is no money exchanged for his ticket or AA club - it is recognized as imputed income and thus reported to the IRS. Let’s say a OW fare from DFWORD is $1,500. He does not pay this, but it is paid for by an AA Travel Card and that value is reported to the IRS as income. WN does something weird, but AA, DL, and UA and their predecessors have always used a similar model for both executives and board members.
NOW… if you wanna talk. Let’s discuss the members of our government who travel on heavily discounted airfares (good for the taxpayers) but are still able to accrue UGs, miles for free travel, and dedicated VIP services. Often are in the above the elite status - like Global Service, Concierge Key, and 360. NOW… this is a topic we should feel outraged.
@M. Casey, good point about the members of our government but shouldn't they be flying the cheapest fare, at least domestically; i.e., basic economy anyway? So they would no longer be accruing miles, etc. When we do see them in first class, it's supposedly out of their own pockets. BUT, who knows; somebody should be doing some comprehensive reporting on this.
The US government is a huge purchaser of most services and products in the US; just like any other major purchaser, they can get significant discounts.
There is no more reason why government employees should not receive status than there is why any corporate employee should keep their loyalty program benefits for travel that is paid for my their employer.
If US government employees ever lose the ability to accrue loyalty program benefits, you can...
The US government is a huge purchaser of most services and products in the US; just like any other major purchaser, they can get significant discounts.
There is no more reason why government employees should not receive status than there is why any corporate employee should keep their loyalty program benefits for travel that is paid for my their employer.
If US government employees ever lose the ability to accrue loyalty program benefits, you can be absolutely certain that loyalty program benefits will be taxed for everyone else - and that will be the end of them.
All responses solid!
I love a good debate!
I want more!!!
I do not think he avoids paying IL taxes at all. IL is one of many states that enforce taxes on where the income is sourced. Thus, because he is physically present in IL to perform his job and earns his income by physically working in IL, IL considers those wages "Illinois-sourced income" and will tax them at their flat rate of 4.95%.
correct.
He just has not left N. Texas and more telling is that his family is not interested in following him to Illinois.
MANY FOs and FAs live in a different states from where they are based. They are taxed with their homestead and not their base.
like other types of transient employees, airline crew members are taxed differently than ground workers.
Kirby is not a crew member.
Santastico is very likely correct but it doesn't change that the cost of paying IL taxes is not enough to force him to live there, esp. since he isn't taxed on income in Texas.
I’d say the most obvious answer is that Kirby makes a point of flying economy on United and has no such compulsion on American. Combined with all Ben’s points, the ability to fly in first class vs economy (without the poor optics) is sort of a no-brainer.
And, as with most employment situations, commuting costs (no matter the type of conveyance) are paid by the employee. Although at Kirby’s level, he probably could have...
I’d say the most obvious answer is that Kirby makes a point of flying economy on United and has no such compulsion on American. Combined with all Ben’s points, the ability to fly in first class vs economy (without the poor optics) is sort of a no-brainer.
And, as with most employment situations, commuting costs (no matter the type of conveyance) are paid by the employee. Although at Kirby’s level, he probably could have negotiated a contract that covered his commute, he probably made a studious decision to eschew this specifically to allow what he’s doing.
Tim is correct on the first sentence, it is very typical for airline execs to fly competitors for lost of reasons, mostly because of schedules. I'm pretty sure they book Positive Space using a UATP on OAL sectors as well as their own carrier.
The rest of Tim's tirade is non-nonsensical and irrelevant to the topic.
and yet it not only true but for someone that is so fixated on size.
Ben specifically noted the trash talking about AA which is relevant to this discussion.
If it weren't for Kirby's incessant trash talking about American, there would be no story.
and, yes, Kirby is very much constantly reminded of how AA has what UA never will have - a massive and expansive domestic route system
the only alternative to Kirby's incessant...
and yet it not only true but for someone that is so fixated on size.
Ben specifically noted the trash talking about AA which is relevant to this discussion.
If it weren't for Kirby's incessant trash talking about American, there would be no story.
and, yes, Kirby is very much constantly reminded of how AA has what UA never will have - a massive and expansive domestic route system
the only alternative to Kirby's incessant trash talking about AA is his pathological inability to let go of being fired from AA.
You can take your pick about which theory drives Kirby.
"If it weren't for Kirby's incessant trash talking about American, there would be no story."
Things that make you say, hmmmm?
things that you desperately want to believe didn't exist.
There is no rational reason why a CEO incessantly trash talks a competitor and esp. AA other than
1. He can't get past the fact that he was fired from AA
2. AA has what UA will never have - a massive domestic network.
take your pick but healthy, rational people do not fixate on another company as much as Kirby does about AA
Scoreboard!
Walter Mitty Dunn posts: “Rational people do not fixate on another company as much as Kirby does about AA”
So Walter, you admit that you are NOT “Rational” and you “Fixate”. However, in your case your focus of your irrational fixation is clearly UA, followed very closely by AA.
What a numpty Walter, you leave yourself wide open to ridicule and then wonder why someone points out your ridiculous shortcomings.
Is that why Delta reportedly kicked you into touch Walter?
Who the F cares? You're position on this is really unhinged. This is an article about why the CEO of one airline likely flies a competitor. Nothing to do with any of the points you're trying to make.
"incessant trash talking" is hyberbole. What Kirby is saying, is generally what Wall St and the market also say.
Kirby was passed over at AA and went to UA. Wonder who 'won' that battle?
AA's size in...
Who the F cares? You're position on this is really unhinged. This is an article about why the CEO of one airline likely flies a competitor. Nothing to do with any of the points you're trying to make.
"incessant trash talking" is hyberbole. What Kirby is saying, is generally what Wall St and the market also say.
Kirby was passed over at AA and went to UA. Wonder who 'won' that battle?
AA's size in the domestic system sure isn't translating it's financial picture vis a vis United, or Delta.
the media and airline analysts most certainly do not trash talk the competition like Kirby does; they evaluate his statements and object to a number of them.
Specifically, no industry analyst suggested that AA's ORD would fail before UA suggested it and industry analysts universally panned the idea that UA could buy AA.
No other airline industry exec and doubtfully any other in any other industry trash talks their competitors as much as UA execs...
the media and airline analysts most certainly do not trash talk the competition like Kirby does; they evaluate his statements and object to a number of them.
Specifically, no industry analyst suggested that AA's ORD would fail before UA suggested it and industry analysts universally panned the idea that UA could buy AA.
No other airline industry exec and doubtfully any other in any other industry trash talks their competitors as much as UA execs and esp. Kirby does.
yes, Kirby won the battle, AA and UA were both mismanaged but that doesn't change that his heart and life is still in Texas. He most certainly could have done wonders at AA - but he was passed over.
and that certainly doesn't change that AA has what UA does not and never will have - which is a megahub and a massive domestic route system.
The fact that AA can't turn its massive domestic system into a profit advantage is as telling as the fact that DL makes more money on its smaller international system than UA.
UA was far too focused on international for too long and has permanently lost the ability to be a top tier domestic carrier; it will always take a back seat to AA, DL and WN in the domestic market.
LTD says, "UA was far too focused on international for too long and has permanently lost the ability to be a top tier domestic carrier"
United grew both international and domestic about 30% over the last ten years. Almost perfect balance.
7 JFK-LAX/SFO (#1, 2, 4 GDP) transcons next year. NK had nearly 10% share at EWR (#1 GDP) & IAH (#6 GDP). Wonder who will get that traffic? Coincidentally, UA is getting 24 new...
LTD says, "UA was far too focused on international for too long and has permanently lost the ability to be a top tier domestic carrier"
United grew both international and domestic about 30% over the last ten years. Almost perfect balance.
7 JFK-LAX/SFO (#1, 2, 4 GDP) transcons next year. NK had nearly 10% share at EWR (#1 GDP) & IAH (#6 GDP). Wonder who will get that traffic? Coincidentally, UA is getting 24 new gates at IAH (#6 GDP) this year and 12 new int'l gates at IAD (#7 GDP). New SFO (#4 GDP) 28R approach imminent and more gates and terminal under construction at the best TPAC gateway with 60%+ share. #2 is DL with 11%.
Your dog don't hunt. Heck, I don't think it's even breathing.
sadly, you can't even hear your own boss who said UA's growth is slowing including over the Pacific.
All of the growth UA did over the past 5 years still has them in 4th place domestically.
UA is simply not going to become the number 1 domestic airline despite being so large internationally.
meanwhile, DL IS growing in the Pacific. It doesn't need to be the largest to take significant revenue from UA.
UA...
sadly, you can't even hear your own boss who said UA's growth is slowing including over the Pacific.
All of the growth UA did over the past 5 years still has them in 4th place domestically.
UA is simply not going to become the number 1 domestic airline despite being so large internationally.
meanwhile, DL IS growing in the Pacific. It doesn't need to be the largest to take significant revenue from UA.
UA spent far too long chasing the international market and now can't and won't challenge AA, DL and WN in the domestic market.
oh, and DL is by far the biggest winner of NK's demise; they still were a major player at DTW.
and DL has gained far more share from AA and B6 than UA could ever hope to gain.
quit snorting and face reality.
Oh, do tell us exactly what you are referring to.
@Tim, such a snowflake.
I think there have been some way juicer quotes from airline executives over the years, like;
""United was like an insane asylum run by the inmates. They had the keys to the medicine cabinet." Gordon Bethune
"You're only as good as your dumbest competitor. We're only as smart as TWA." Gordon Bethune
plus Michael O'Leary, Herb Kelleher, made several remarks at the expense of their competition.
Regarding your statement about growth....
@Tim, such a snowflake.
I think there have been some way juicer quotes from airline executives over the years, like;
""United was like an insane asylum run by the inmates. They had the keys to the medicine cabinet." Gordon Bethune
"You're only as good as your dumbest competitor. We're only as smart as TWA." Gordon Bethune
plus Michael O'Leary, Herb Kelleher, made several remarks at the expense of their competition.
Regarding your statement about growth.
United specifically reported Pacific ASMs up 5.7% in 4Q25 versus 4Q24, with Pacific revenue up 10.1%.
From 2019 to 2025,
United has grown 25-35% more ASMs TPAC
Delta has grown 9-10% more ASMs TPAC
and American had grown 6.5-7.5% ASM TPAC
Delta disclosed publicly, Pacific capacity growth of 36% year-over-year in 1Q24, reflecting restoration of Asian flying rather than entirely new growth.
The key point is that United didn't merely recover Pacific capacity—it expanded beyond pre-COVID levels by opening entirely new Asia-Pacific markets and adding substantial capacity at San Francisco. Delta mostly recovered prior flying. American never fully rebuilt its Pacific franchise after dismantling much of its LAX and Asia network.
FY2024 Domestic ASMs, United is not too far behind American.
Domestic ASMs (billions)
American Airlines ~220B ~29%
United Airlines ~210B ~28%
Delta Air Lines ~200B ~27%
Southwest Airlines ~130B ~17%
But once again, not sure why United not having a 'megahub' is that important, when they have hubs in the 4 largest, wealthiest, and most competitive cities/metro regions in the US. It's a lot harder to compete in Chicago and Denver than Detroit and Salt Lake City.
finding a few anecdotes from other CEOs is not anywhere close to the level of trash talking that Kirby has made about its US competitors.
Michael O'Leary is probably the only airline CEO that has topped Kirby in his degrading comments - but he does that about everything. And Ryanair is wildly more successful relative to its competitors than UA is.
regarding growth, UA is the 4th largest domestic carrier and the data that even...
finding a few anecdotes from other CEOs is not anywhere close to the level of trash talking that Kirby has made about its US competitors.
Michael O'Leary is probably the only airline CEO that has topped Kirby in his degrading comments - but he does that about everything. And Ryanair is wildly more successful relative to its competitors than UA is.
regarding growth, UA is the 4th largest domestic carrier and the data that even people like rebel show it. adding in a bunch of expensive RJs simply proves my point that UA cannot upgauge without trashing its own yields- which is exactly what they did in 2025 and other years after covid.
Their aggressive domestic growth plan won't work any longer; there are no other airlines that are going to let him steal share. UA is the 4th largest US airline in most of its non-hub cities; AA, DL and WN have far better strength outside of their hubs. The only thing Kirby thought he could do was steal share in neutral markets and that has not happened.
Kirby would have been far more successful growing AA's itnernational presence than trying to grow UA's domestic share esp. in non-hub markets.
It is precisely because UA's growth over the Pacific is slowing and they can't add much more that DL sees an opportunity and will be far more successful than UA will be in moving up the domestic airline ranks.
The reason why Kirby trash talks AA is because it has domestic share that UA wants but won't get.
I'm glad you and others are really worried about UA's strategic future; you should be.
AA lives rent free in this CEO's head.
first, provide real data on how many execs fly or don't fly other airlines.
Most do.
The only reason that Kirby flies AA so much is that he never left Texas and has no intention of doing so. UA is a job while his life including that of his family is still in Texas. It speaks volumes that his family has no desire to live in Chicago or even some of its very nice...
first, provide real data on how many execs fly or don't fly other airlines.
Most do.
The only reason that Kirby flies AA so much is that he never left Texas and has no intention of doing so. UA is a job while his life including that of his family is still in Texas. It speaks volumes that his family has no desire to live in Chicago or even some of its very nice but costly suburbs.
AA clearly IS the top dog in N. Texas and it is an acknowledgement of how weak UA is not just in N. Texas but also outside of its IAH hub that he can't get decent schedules to/from DFW.
UA is the largest carrier in Texas as a whole and DL is larger in N. Texas than UA.
and the reason why Kirby keeps trash talking AA is because AA has achieved what UA failed to do including under Kirby which is to be large enough in the domestic market to come close to matching UA's size as the world's largest carrier by ASMs. Kirby would love to have the domestic market that either AA or DL or WN have "bolted on" to the international network that UA has.
UA was far too focused on flying to unique international destinations - many of them on domestic configured narrowbodies - to pay attention to growing domestically.
UA will never be the largest domestic airline. UA's hubs are highly competitive, growth is slowing for all US airlines, and UA's largest hubs have capacity constraints.
AA has what UA wants and will never have. Being forced to fly AA is a constant reminder of UA's failure in building a domestic network.
and yet the alternative is to connect on UA's network.
US domestic mainline market share (passengers) 2016/2025
DL: 16.4%/17.8%, +9%
AA: 17.2%/17.3%, +1%
SW:18.2%/16.9%, -7%
UA: 13.0%/16.6%, +28%
100 new narrow body aircraft and 36 new gates at IAH & IAD in 2026 alone.
Fleet size 2016/2025:
UA: 737/1,066 +329/45%
AA: 930/1,013 +83/9%
DL: 832/989 +157/19%
UA: 1,128 aircraft, (236 WB), 180 WB/475 NB on order (15.2 average fleet age)
AA: 1,030 aircraft, (137 WB), 19...
US domestic mainline market share (passengers) 2016/2025
DL: 16.4%/17.8%, +9%
AA: 17.2%/17.3%, +1%
SW:18.2%/16.9%, -7%
UA: 13.0%/16.6%, +28%
100 new narrow body aircraft and 36 new gates at IAH & IAD in 2026 alone.
Fleet size 2016/2025:
UA: 737/1,066 +329/45%
AA: 930/1,013 +83/9%
DL: 832/989 +157/19%
UA: 1,128 aircraft, (236 WB), 180 WB/475 NB on order (15.2 average fleet age)
AA: 1,030 aircraft, (137 WB), 19 WB/270 NB on order (14.3 average fleet age)
DL: 987 aircraft, (179 WB), 85 WB/266 NB on order (14.8 average fleet age)
I knew you would have to jump in.
AA has what UA has which is a massive domestic network.
your data simply highlights that UA neglected the domestic market and has not and will not get an industry leading domestic network.
IAH and IAD can't fix what AA and DL have built - DL heavily with mainline aircraft and AA with lots of RJs - they have more domestic flights on RJs than mainline.
and...
I knew you would have to jump in.
AA has what UA has which is a massive domestic network.
your data simply highlights that UA neglected the domestic market and has not and will not get an industry leading domestic network.
IAH and IAD can't fix what AA and DL have built - DL heavily with mainline aircraft and AA with lots of RJs - they have more domestic flights on RJs than mainline.
and your fixation on future orders consistently fails because UA ordered so many airplanes in advance but other airlines can and do succeed at acquiring aircraft on less much less notice.
No, it shows definitively that it is just a matter of time. Great job DL dominating #37 SLC. ;)
rebel
those mainline-only numbers aren't representative of literally anything and you know that. Regional networks exist for a reason.
Max, I tried to figure out how you came up with the system wide figures, but to no avail and AI told a different story. My intent is only to show how fast UA is building their mainline domestic business. UA has less regional lift than AA and probably a bit more than DL, but at least the mainline figures are an apple to apples comparison over time.
UA's domestic growth rate of the past few years cannot and will not continue no matter how much you belief.
The domestic marketplace is saturated and I said years ago that UA would trash yields in its own hubs before it succeeded at stealing connecting share from other carriers. that is exaclty what has happened.
UA has WAY more regional carrier capacity than DL and DL's RJs are heavily used in point to point markets...
UA's domestic growth rate of the past few years cannot and will not continue no matter how much you belief.
The domestic marketplace is saturated and I said years ago that UA would trash yields in its own hubs before it succeeded at stealing connecting share from other carriers. that is exaclty what has happened.
UA has WAY more regional carrier capacity than DL and DL's RJs are heavily used in point to point markets such as LGA and not close to as much to connect passengers at hubs as AA, AS and UA do.
UA has to use so many RJs because it does not have even one megahub as AA and DL have so has to fly a lot of small capacity aircraft to multiple hubs.
and Kirby also knows that regional jets are much less profitable than mainline aircraft but he can't get rid of the RJs because UA's hubs cannot support the level of mainline capacity that DL has.
and UA still has fewer hubs in the continental 48 than AA or DL.
Kirby knows this all whether you know or admit it or not. UA needs a large domestic competitor to fail in order for UA to be able to grow its domestic system out of last place.
Yes, Kirby is reminded of what he walked away from at AA and what UA will never have.
It would have been far easier for him to grow AA's international network than it is or will be for UA to grow its domestic network.
it is precisely that reality why DL will continue to have the upper hand as DL's international growth strategy plays out
No data, no facts, just highly biased and flawed opinion. Yawn.
US domestic mainline market share (passengers) 2016/2025
DL: 16.4%/17.8%, +9%
AA: 17.2%/17.3%, +1%
SW:18.2%/16.9%, -7%
UA: 13.0%/16.6%, +28%
100 new narrow body aircraft and 36 new gates at IAH & IAD in 2026 alone.
Fleet size 2016/2025:
UA: 737/1,066 +329/45%
AA: 930/1,013 +83/9%
DL: 832/989 +157/19%
UA: 1,128 aircraft, (236 WB), 180 WB/475 NB on order...
No data, no facts, just highly biased and flawed opinion. Yawn.
US domestic mainline market share (passengers) 2016/2025
DL: 16.4%/17.8%, +9%
AA: 17.2%/17.3%, +1%
SW:18.2%/16.9%, -7%
UA: 13.0%/16.6%, +28%
100 new narrow body aircraft and 36 new gates at IAH & IAD in 2026 alone.
Fleet size 2016/2025:
UA: 737/1,066 +329/45%
AA: 930/1,013 +83/9%
DL: 832/989 +157/19%
UA: 1,128 aircraft, (236 WB), 180 WB/475 NB on order (15.2 average fleet age)
AA: 1,030 aircraft, (137 WB), 19 WB/270 NB on order (14.3 average fleet age)
DL: 987 aircraft, (179 WB), 85 WB/266 NB on order (14.8 average fleet age)
Ok. Tesl data.
2clown on x says he fly pelican air everywhere.
ClownDancer uses EVA even on short hops from Ponca City, Ok to Blackwell, Ok!
Trump flies a Qatari shit stain.
There is your real world stats!
And do not forget….2 lefts make a right!
Solid response
Let’s hear more.
Always amazing to see Lil Timmy D get absolutely rammed with data up his a$$
So I imagine on some level, he’s often flying American simply because the schedule is better.
So, the schedule actually is the product?
DavidW, gets it Walter Mitty Dunn posts a thousand words and all he gets is a click count.
What a plonker Walter …. Yes?
No. Flies AA cause bathroom smells better. You want proof? You can’t handle the proof.
I find Kirby great. Known for flying a competitor, napping in the office, reading a bunch, and heavily limiting meetings. Clearly a smart guy.
The domestic first class between UA and AA (and DL if it flys that route) is essentially the same. There's no meal service and it all comes down to the quality of the flight attendant. Maybe UA slightly wins for IFE but presumably he doesn't have time to watch a movie.
No. DL has recliners with AVOD/IFE screens and free WiFi for members; whereas, UA is 50/50 on AVOD/IFE (so, it certainly does not 'win'), and AA is nearly all BYOD; meanwhile, UA and AA are taking their sweet time on WiFi, while Delta (and B6) have had it for 5+ years. Yes, Starlink and other next generation providers will be better than Viasat, etc., but something is better than nothing.
The real question for this site is which AA / Citi card Kirby uses to accumulate miles on all of those commuting trips.
Kirby is the biggest creep around. I buy my tickets and even with lifetime status on AA I avoid them.
Commuting for 10 years?!?
I would have thought an absolute minimum requirement of appointing an airline CEO is that they need to live (or move to) where the airline is based.
@ chris w -- You'd be surprised by how many commute.
And then write op-eds about people should not be able to work remotely...
... make it simple, he is a guy, . . . you simply can NOT trust, just like Spohr (LH). same jerks, that's why they get along very well in their job. Both are like vermin.
Let's dislike/disagree with people/policies, but not literally compare them to rodents. Have we learned nothing from our history? (Rwanda thanks you for not using 'cockroaches,' at least.) Never mind, don't wanna 'gate-keep,' so, you-do-you, please disregard the paradox of intolerance.
Maybe he leaves an Upper Decker.
“Kirby takes AA flights to spite his old employer and steal a seat from another paying passenger “
Any evidence of this, Lucky?
You have that line in quotation marks, so that suggests Lucky wrote it somewhere, but I can't find it in the article. Where is it?
Ss far as I can see, the line written was "I imagine he loves taking away a seat that could be sold on American, and leaving it to be sold on United". That's clearly an opinion and not and not a statement of fact (as your phrasing would suggest).
Was the article changed or did you misquote and then pose a question based on your misquote?
@ UncleRonnie -- As flagged by Ziggy (thanks!), that's not something I actually wrote? I was just theorizing. I have a lot of respect for Kirby, but I also think he's objectively pretty petty, and I wouldn't be surprised if this is at least a subconscious consideration, on principle. Again, it's just a theory, and not something I'm passing off as fact.
Fair enough, thanks for the clarification :)
Honestly it's because UA consistently has the worst FAs with terrible personalities and service.
Over a larger number of flights, sure, all of the big 3 converge are honestly the same level, however, many of people's worst experiences come from a United FA. The variance is just so high.
fwiw I think Illinois has a 30-day threshold for starting to levy income taxes, not a half-year
The pettiest in the US aviation industry.