Odd: Former JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes Moves To Airbus

the most interesting part is that he said he left B6 due to health issues but yet he seems to be well enough to go to work for Airbus.

looks like all of his experience is with airlines so will be interesting to see how well he transitions to selling planes esp. to a number of his former competitors. Seems like basing him somewhere else in the world would have been better for Airbus

He's obviously spent his gardening leave improving his health, working on a plan to maintain it, and learning the ropes at Airbus. The company obviously thinks he has the skills, experience, and network to do the job, or they wouldn't be wasting their time.

"Hayes has been in the industry for 35 years, most recently having spent 19 years at JetBlue, where he served as CEO for nine years."

Robin wasn't at B6 for 19 years; he was with BA before he became B6 CEO.

Did y'all forget that money talks?

He left a mess at JetBlue and said it was health. I think he was more worried about the "health" of JetBlue ❤️

I'll never understand how people like this, so commonly manage to fail upwards.

Heck, give *me* an $11million severance, for screwing things up.... I'll take on ANY company.

My guess is he bet his job on the Spirit acquisition and when he and the BOD got a heads up on the judge’s decision, he was allowed to graciously depart on his own terms.

Ben, Life Advice: NEVER believe any press release that says someone is leaving work for health or family reasons. NEVER. The fact you are even remotely puzzled is not good. When I read the original press release I knew his health was in great shape, just by the fact they said he had a health problem. People with REAL health problems don't lead with it as an excuse. Robin is a wiener squish.

As for Airbus, could it be 'payback' or 'quid pro quo'? He spent a lot of shareholder money on Airbus merchandise and wanted to buy Spirit for Airbus planes. He put JB and Spirit (and apparently his health, oh wait, remember my rule above, don't believe that) interests behind sending checks to Airbus. He won't be at AB long. It's just a 'legal' way to give someone a kickback. Airbus and Robin are welcome to sue me for defamation if they want, bring it.

Credit when it's due.
He was actually doing a good job with B6 until COVID hits.

How?

* The airline consistently had the lowest margins on TCON routes regardless of destination or competitors,

* It struggles to further monetize its incredibly limited FFP,

* It generally cannot connect passengers within any region of the country other than the northeast and a few select markets within FL+CA, and

* Its stock has been on a consistent downward slope since 2015-- the year he took the helm.

So exactly what is this "good job," and how is it being measured?

As a customer I feel he did a lousy job developing JB. The culture deteriorated under him. He was just focused on money, mergers and not at all on strong customer service, condition of planes, staff floundering with little support. He pursued mergers most would say would not work. Left JB suddenly for health reasons and now has recovered for money lol. After making this huge mess and leaving JB to pay his negotiated debt he is no loss

Considering how much I hate both JetBlue and Airbus, I'm perfectly happy to see the guy who ran the former into the ground now running the latter. I won't say he'll be running it into the ground since that's a little insensitive when it comes to planes.

I was going to give my theory but Steve did it much better.
Most definitely an under-the-table arrangement that would allow him to retire with another 8 digit sum in 18-24 months. Sad but common.

Maybe Robin is one of those folks who interviews well which accounts for the assignment with Airbus. Yet, he is like one of my short lived ex-managers who cannot execute and follow thru (read Virgin America & Spirit) and is dismissed in short order.
Let's hope he doesn't screw up the Mobile AL (A320 & A220) and Mirabel, Canada (A220) assembly operations, plus coordinating with P&W and GE for aircraft engines.
Also, I share the concern of the “the advice of [his] doctor” comment. Airbus needs to install an app on his phone to monitor his health each hour. I'm sure Airbus had a depth chart like a football coach and has a replacement ready in the wings at a moment's notice.

I'm sure Ms Joanna wishes him well....not! =:-(

Too bad B6 failed to have a "claw back" feature in its employment contract with Mr Robin. It would have gotten all the $11million and then some punitive money as well for how badly he ran the airline. What a "muck" up!!

Terriffic, maybe space and helo passengers will now be charged for baggage??? Jet Blue used to be my Go to, until they bowed to “industry trends” (aka greed). At least AirBus is not an airline, maybe they can teach Boeing a thing or too about handling internal safety concerns.

Well, if you can't even determine that from their stock then there is nothing more I need to address.

It's one big club and you ain't in it.

The stock's been sh!t overall, underneath this guy... so I have no idea what you're talking about.

Apparently, neither do you.

You sound rational and completely well adjusted.

He also oversaw the demise of the AA northeast alliance. Basically nothing but losses during his tenure.

I believe having a former airline CEO will be good for Airbus. Boeing could have used fmr airline leadership in their management to realize the cost of losing focus on safety and cutting corners could have on their customer relationships and damage to their product. Mr. Hayes will be a good intermediary between the airlines and airbus leadership.

Boeing did have someone who had a good run as CEO of an airline but that was not enough to change Boeing’s culture. From 2011-2024, Larry Kellner was on Boeing’s board. Before that, he was CEO of Continental from 2004-2009 and Continental was one of the better US carriers under him. But he was overpowered by the MD culture upon joining Boeing.