United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has just published his July 4th message to employees at the airline, as shared by Live and Let’s Fly. To Kirby’s credit, he’s consistent in his messaging. That being said, he sure takes some liberties both with how he views his airline, and how he “ranks” the United States…
In this post:
United CEO Scott Kirby’s July 4th message to employees
Here’s the message that United CEO Scott Kirby shared with employees for July 4th (and it’s a “special” one, as the United States is celebrating 250 years):
Happy Fourth of July everyone! I’m coming to you on our nation’s 250th birthday, standing in front of this cool airplane on what is actually my favorite holiday. And the reason it’s my favorite holiday is because I truly love this country and everything that it stands for. The level of freedom that we have here is just unprecedented around the world. And at United Airlines, we’re a huge part of what it means to be the United States of America.
We talk about connecting people and uniting the world. Every year we take millions of US citizens around the globe to see other perspectives, other cultures, and understand what the globe is like. We also bring millions of foreign citizens here into this country to see the culture the tradition, the values, the opportunity what this country truly stands for. And so what we’re doing at United Airlines isn’t just flying people around the globe, it really is spreading the culture and values that have made this the greatest nation on earth.
So all of you, thank you for everything that you’re doing in this busy summer conversation. This is the busiest season we’ve ever had in our history, doing it and all the storms and all the weather that happens every year in the summer, so thank you and I’m very proud of what you’re doing. I want to say thank you for making United Airlines not just the biggest airline, but the best airline in the history of aviation.
I’m always conflicted on Kirby’s over-the-top comments
Kirby is quite the character, and he’s extremely committed to making United as successful as it can be. While he doesn’t particularly strike me as a “people person,” I think he does as good of a job as he possibly can to connect employees with United’s mission, and make it clear how each person plays an important role there. That’s commendable, and it’s quite a contrast to the lack of vision at the top at American.
Now, when it comes to the actual substance of what Kirby is saying… well, oy. Kirby has repeatedly peddled the claim that United is the best airline in the history of aviation, and that’s just absurd. I don’t know how anyone can make such an absolute claim. By what metric does he think that’s the case? Profitability? Customer service? Passenger experience? Breadth of route network? Network out of Newark?
But I find his comments about the United States to be equally cringe. Look, I might be a liberal guy, but I’m not someone who wants to pretend that the United States is some awful place, and we should all move. Quite to the contrary, I think the United States is pretty great on balance, despite who may or may not be in office at any particular point.
That being said, Kirby’s patriotism here is just so over-the-top. He loves *everything* that America stands for? Our level of freedom is *unprecedented* compared to anywhere else in the world? And United is “spreading the culture and values that have made this the greatest nation on earth?”
The irony here is that Kirby’s comments come across exactly like what you’d expect from someone who has barely traveled outside the United States. He believes the United States is the center of the world in just about every way, with no consideration for the rest of the world.
If there’s one thing that travel has taught me, it’s that we’re all more similar than we assume, and there are pros and cons to each place. Does the United States afford a lot of freedoms to citizens? Absolutely. But it also has a lot of areas it falls short, in my opinion — freedom from gun violence, autonomy over one’s own body, a framework that somehow allows American citizens to be deported incorrectly to other countries (rare as it may be), etc.
The Human Freedom Index ranks the United States as the 15th freest country, with countries like Switzerland, Denmark, and New Zealand, ranking higher. Can I personally say “oh yeah, those places definitely have more freedom than the United States?” No, not really. But I also am not arrogant or proud enough to declare that *my* country has more freedoms than those places, when I can’t authoritatively say that…
Bottom line
United CEO Scott Kirby has sent out his July 4th message to employees, and he’s at least very consistent with the claims he makes. Kirby says that United is the world’s best airline, and that the United States is the world’s best country.
While I’m all for talking up your own airline and thinking positively of your home country, Kirby definitely takes it to the extreme.
What do you make of Kirby’s comments?
Over paid, greed driven oligarchs all think USA!USA!#1. $30m a year buys a lot of happiness and jingoism.
Someone needs to explain to me why, if America is so great (and I'm not saying that it's not), why so many people who like to tell us how great it is coalesce around the "Make America Great Again" slogan. It's either great, or it needs to be made great again. It can't be both.
America is a great but flawed country. I believe we should appreciate the things we are good at and be honest about the stuff we're not. Being really great means working hard to stay on top. You can't do that if you're always chest-thumping about how great you are - also - that reeks of insecurity.
America is awesome but not perfect, everyone knows it, we don't need to keep telling everyone. Quiet confidence is attractive in people and countries.
Well said. Countries are only as good as the people that make it up and all humans have flaws as well as strengths.
That said, The United States still has the world's largest economy and more people from around the world have chosen to come here to build new lives then to any other country in the history of humanity. Flawed as it may be, the United States is still an idea that no other country has to execute better
Pandering to he-who-shall-not-be-named.
Ben, the concept of American exceptionalism is a real blind spot for many of our citizens, especially those less traveled. It speaks to a brief post WW2 period where much of the remainder of the world was in ruin, disarray and under economic duress. An especially virulent form of totalitarian communism remained a real threat then too. That period has long past. However slick and manipulative politicians hide behind the concept to whip up segments...
Ben, the concept of American exceptionalism is a real blind spot for many of our citizens, especially those less traveled. It speaks to a brief post WW2 period where much of the remainder of the world was in ruin, disarray and under economic duress. An especially virulent form of totalitarian communism remained a real threat then too. That period has long past. However slick and manipulative politicians hide behind the concept to whip up segments of the population into a populist, xenophobic frenzy in order to mask their true agenda—-self promotion/enrichment and protection/reinstatement of any archaic rules that unfairly favor them and their cronies. The old phrase “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes” certainly rings true in this case. 1930’s Europe anyone?
Disgusting statement, reflective of a sad, disturbed country. I renounced my US citizenship years ago and never looked back.
yet here you are, unable to stop looking back.....
this isn't an airport, you don't have you announce your departure
Kirby its smoking something good.
It depends on what "best" means. To those that hate our country there's always The Congo.
An airline is not a charity. Best should mean the return for shareholders.
Let's see. The FAA had to step in three times into United Hubs because they were mismanaged and overscheduled. That hasn't happened at any other airline. And 10s of thousands of United employees have been making interest free loans to United Management for years; in other words, United hasn't been paying its people industry-leading compensation.
that Hardly sounds like industry-leading
And yet UA employees aren't airing their company's mismanagement on web sites like this one. Hmmm.
https://deltapilotscare.com
Which just shows how successful Kirby has been at brainwashing United employees
Every CEO on the planet would love to feed its employees BS rather than pay them but it speaks volumes about the cult mentality at United that so many people give up good pay while thinking their airline is doing so great.
the sad reality is that United has only achieved what it has because at the low pay of United employees.
and...
Which just shows how successful Kirby has been at brainwashing United employees
Every CEO on the planet would love to feed its employees BS rather than pay them but it speaks volumes about the cult mentality at United that so many people give up good pay while thinking their airline is doing so great.
the sad reality is that United has only achieved what it has because at the low pay of United employees.
and Delta pilots have a long history of supporting the company and this chapter will pass with no impact on Delta's overall operational ranking, no matter how much you choose to focus on minute details that last for mere months. Remember, you were touting United's better on time performance and that is now history relative to Delta
What matters in 2026 is that Delta is shifting its competitive focus to United strength markets and that will be the defining story of the next five years in the airline industry, not how great or bad Scott Kirby is or what Delta pilots achieved or did not achieve in their poorly thought out and even worse executed protest to the company for taking away their ability to make even more money through picking up premium flying
I put it to you Walter that it is inaccurate to say this happened solely because United “mismanaged” its hubs.
The FAA has, at various times, implemented traffic management measures affecting major United Airlines hubs.
Examples include: Newark Liberty International Airport, where staffing shortages, runway construction and congestion have led the FAA to cap or reduce scheduled operations.
Earlier periods at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where FAA scheduling interventions affected MANY airlines, including...
I put it to you Walter that it is inaccurate to say this happened solely because United “mismanaged” its hubs.
The FAA has, at various times, implemented traffic management measures affecting major United Airlines hubs.
Examples include: Newark Liberty International Airport, where staffing shortages, runway construction and congestion have led the FAA to cap or reduce scheduled operations.
Earlier periods at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where FAA scheduling interventions affected MANY airlines, including United, because O’Hare was chronically congested.
I repeat …. It is not accurate to say this happened solely because United “mismanaged” its hubs. Furthermore, I challenge you to stop being selective with your fact reporting and to accurately reflect the situations which you attempt to use as supporting your ever increasing wild speculations.
There is nothing selective about noting that no other airline has had the FAA step in as many times as United has had. And United has mismanaged its hubs through over scheduling as it attempts to eliminate competitors and dominate markets which the federal government will not allow.
My statements are correct no matter how much you dislike them and argue with them
Poor Scott, he thinks that because he hasn't been investigated for corruption like Smisek and because he has convinced himself that people have no memory of him abandoning his staff and customers to flee on a private jet while EWR was a mess, the world will eventually accept him as the best CEO in the history of western civilization. It's cute how extreme underachievers of his kind dream.
He also forgets that he negotiated the slot swap With that is a big part of why Delta Is the largest domestic airline and has the most flights from New York City
It is really not a surprise why United Internet fans are so obnoxious
Look in the mirror Timcel - you are the single biggest a$$hole I have seen on the travel blogs in my 20 years of reading them.
Get a life, wanker!
Poor Tim, got fired from Delta and has no life.
Keep going.
Scott Kirby negotiated the slot swap with Delta while he was at US Airways.
Delta by far got the better end of that deal and is what it is in New York City in part because of the slot swap.
And let's not forget that United even under a previous management negotiated a slot swap between JFK and Newark and Delta ended up with a dozen more JFK flights while Newark lost slot...
Keep going.
Scott Kirby negotiated the slot swap with Delta while he was at US Airways.
Delta by far got the better end of that deal and is what it is in New York City in part because of the slot swap.
And let's not forget that United even under a previous management negotiated a slot swap between JFK and Newark and Delta ended up with a dozen more JFK flights while Newark lost slot controls because of United underutilization of those slots. The FAA has had to step into Newark's operation multiple times and reduce capacity under the latest intervention.
as much as you want to believe otherwise, Delta has out strategized United and especially in New York City. Delta's focus is now shifting to the West Coast And TPAC which is the heart of United Airlines
Scott Kirby has spouted off for years about going after smaller and weaker airlines. Delta is apparently tired of listening to it and decided to put United in its crosshairs. With $1.6 billion in higher profits last year and the number is very likely higher this year, Delta will likely do to United on an even larger scale then what it achieved in American hubs over the past 15 years.
That Is what a whole lot of people here fear and that fear is present for very good reason
https://deltapilotscare.com
Well, he’s right about one thing.
United should really ramp up its service in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Wyoming, West Virginia, and the Dakotas, where people live Merica the most.
I didn't know the United CEO was so funny. A real comedian! He’s a shoo-in for next year’s Oscar, that’s for sure. As a foreigner, I’d say this isn't exactly the best way to change people's perception of the United States...
But I do agree with him: UNITED is the best airline in the world that starts with a "U" and ends with a "D." I guess he’s never flown with any other airlines.
The us as an immigrant we have freedom, rights. Upward mobility. I cam here with 2000 dollars built a good life for me. Is it perfect no. But it is good to live here. Proud to be called American, but life in Europe is not bad. Some Asian countries also.
Americans thinking they have more freedom than all other countries on the planet never cease to amaze me. At least when some Karen from Nebraska who never left the country says so, you can blame it on ignorance, but a CEO of an airline? Must be an absolute moron.
And we’re rebuilding our war chest at record pace so we will be ready for the next war. Donnie still has some unfinished business. MERICA !
In (British) English, we call this 'flagsh@gging'
"He should watch Jeff Daniel’s monologue on the Newsroom"
That's very good, and Jeff Daniel's monologue is artistic illustration of why the US is a great nation, citizens' ability to speak truth to power. We have a highly effective feedback loop that leads to better outcomes though we have a ways to go in perfecting our union.
As for Kirby's letter this was a message to the troops of United, not the public, but today...
"He should watch Jeff Daniel’s monologue on the Newsroom"
That's very good, and Jeff Daniel's monologue is artistic illustration of why the US is a great nation, citizens' ability to speak truth to power. We have a highly effective feedback loop that leads to better outcomes though we have a ways to go in perfecting our union.
As for Kirby's letter this was a message to the troops of United, not the public, but today such missives make for great clickbait. Obviously, Kirby knows this so he has a choice. He can make everything he says to the United employees vanilla or say what he wants to say. Some contend it's about his ego and he admits he likes the limelight. But if UA's performance wasn't as impressive as it has been under his leadership then it would be easy to dismiss. His manifesting where he wants UA to go has been highly effective by any standard, and as Teddy said it's not the critic who counts.
Happy 250th!
LOL, and LOL! to Kirby's statements.
Anybody here who would if prices and flight times are comparable rather fly United than SIA or Emirates or ANA
He should watch Jeff Daniel’s monologue on the Newsroom
"It sure used to be"
......delusional.....ua is best in world?...I spit out my coffee.....
Disgusting comments across the board, and everything wrong with America. No US airline is the world's best at perhaps anything but profitability, and that crown really sits with Delta. As to to the world's best country, that is typical American jingoism, arrogance, and perfectly reflects the lack of culture, humility, and sense of place that is so problematic with the country and has been for its short 250 years of existence. America is staring down...
Disgusting comments across the board, and everything wrong with America. No US airline is the world's best at perhaps anything but profitability, and that crown really sits with Delta. As to to the world's best country, that is typical American jingoism, arrogance, and perfectly reflects the lack of culture, humility, and sense of place that is so problematic with the country and has been for its short 250 years of existence. America is staring down a looming debt default, can't adequately ensure affordable healthcare coverage for its own (how is that GREAT?), is plagued with gun violence, racism, inequality, filthy cities, terrible infrastructure, inefficiencies across the board and a country in a steep decline. Best country? My ass.
did you forget to eat your snickers today?
lol. UA better than AF La premiere, QR suites and SQ. There are millions of great Americans, but the best. Hahaha. I guess he’s one of mango Mussolini’s sycophants.
United as the largest airline in the world measured on seat miles (true) - and likely also on fleet size. True. In number of countries serviced and likely also in number of aircrafts. But in service and customer experience it is just an absurd statement (in any cabin class and on the ground) - is just a completely absurd statement. There are at least a dozen airlines that are better across all parameters here.
While...
United as the largest airline in the world measured on seat miles (true) - and likely also on fleet size. True. In number of countries serviced and likely also in number of aircrafts. But in service and customer experience it is just an absurd statement (in any cabin class and on the ground) - is just a completely absurd statement. There are at least a dozen airlines that are better across all parameters here.
While I appreciate that people love their country - and they should - there is zero proof that the US the greatest country in the world. Except in a few areas where you absolutely should not aspire to #1
Not even in the top ten.
Oh please give us ALL a break what a load of shit
What country could even come close to matching the greatness of the USA? Japan is a nursing home, Europe is a museum and China is a prison. The rest of the ex-US nations are either insignificant or complete shitholes. So, what is America then? America is a business……it’s not a family, it’s a competition. Our strength is that we allow success and failure to happen naturally rather than forcing equal outcomes or pretending that every...
What country could even come close to matching the greatness of the USA? Japan is a nursing home, Europe is a museum and China is a prison. The rest of the ex-US nations are either insignificant or complete shitholes. So, what is America then? America is a business……it’s not a family, it’s a competition. Our strength is that we allow success and failure to happen naturally rather than forcing equal outcomes or pretending that every individual is a value to society. Our system rewards creation and ambition, not guaranteed results. I owe much of my own success to being born in a country that offered extraordinary opportunities at an extraordinary time in history. Happy Birthday America!
If you define 'greatness' solely as absolute economic growth however it is distributed, sure. Your society largely only values money, as you amply demonstrate. Note that the much older societies you cite have learnt over time that economic growth is not the only measure of a society's success. America at least was a very successful business, however you don't seem to have noticed that it's increasingly instead a Mafia state thanks to Trump. You might...
If you define 'greatness' solely as absolute economic growth however it is distributed, sure. Your society largely only values money, as you amply demonstrate. Note that the much older societies you cite have learnt over time that economic growth is not the only measure of a society's success. America at least was a very successful business, however you don't seem to have noticed that it's increasingly instead a Mafia state thanks to Trump. You might also benefit a bit from reading some history (i.e. history before your country existed). How Rome ended is particularly enlightening.
The population of Switzerland (along with the majority of countries routinely cited by you anti U.S. zealots) is smaller than that of some of America's largest cities. Most of these nations also owe a substantial portion of their success to highly specialized industries or unique resource advantages that are far easier to sustain at a small scale than across a country of more than 300 million people. On top of that, these countries are generally...
The population of Switzerland (along with the majority of countries routinely cited by you anti U.S. zealots) is smaller than that of some of America's largest cities. Most of these nations also owe a substantial portion of their success to highly specialized industries or unique resource advantages that are far easier to sustain at a small scale than across a country of more than 300 million people. On top of that, these countries are generally far more demographically and culturally homogeneous……try introducing a few million Mexicans or Somalis into Switzerland and then get back to me.
You are a moron.
Just to give one example (but there are many more) Switzerland scores higher than the USA on ANY dimensions you can think, freedom, education, Life expectancy: 84 vs 78, Median wealth: roughly double, Income +30%, Murders: 10x fewer, innovation Switzerland is number 1 globally for 13 years running
America's only podium finishes? Firearm mortality and obesity (42% vs 12%)
You are aware that there is a difference between greatness and freedom?
Europe ≠ Country
TIM! Where the heck have you been, man?!
Bingo, and there we have the perfect example of the myopic mindset of American exceptionalism. Calling a whole continent a museum is laughable and speaks to willful ignorance. Never mind referencing most of the rest of the world a sh#t hole. Shameful. I got news for you, not everyone is on board with the winner take all and the hell with everyone else mindset.
I really hope Scott Kirby, or someone who loves him (Anyone? Mrs. Kirby?), gets him/self to a neurologist, code red.
Note to everyone: eating another grown man’s full diapers has consequences, and we are beholding those consequences in Scott Kirby.
"The level of freedom that we have here is just unprecedented around the world." Literally laughed out loud, that's someone who's drunk a lot of Kool-Aid. Not that the truth actually holds much value in the US any longer.
If only there were an organisation set up to rate this stuff! Read it and weep, Scott - https://freedomhouse.org/country/scores
Bonkers, bleeding bonkers …. as certifiable as Walter Mitty Dunn.
He's right, especially about the US. Good message!
"If a facist / nazi / rapist / corrupt / thief / sits at a table with ten people and no one gets up, then there are eleven facists / nazis / rapists / corrupt / thieves / at the table."
The idea that tolerating hatred and failing to oppose fascism, nazism, rape, corruption and theft makes those present complicit in extremism.
Silence or inaction in the face of intolerant individuals ends up legitimizing their actions.
Neither nor.
I think Kirby is going to make a switch to Politics and perhaps going to run for Secretary of Transport or maybe even President in 2028.
Is Trump writing his statements? :)
He’s certainly correct about the USA.
Hopefully “Alert” shows up to sit with you.