United Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby has been spotted flying on an American Airlines flight, raising the question of why the CEO wouldn’t fly his own airline. Kirby was once the President of American, where he now enjoys lifetime privileges with AA, including free personal travel.

According to View From The Wing, Kirby was recently spotted on a flight to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where he is from. A flight attendant took to social media with a selfie, noting how pleasant he was to have on his personal trip home to Dallas. Kirby is entitled to unlimited personal travel on American, including travel in any class, and access to the Admirals Club.

Scott Kirby Found Flying On The Competition

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Kirby left American in 2016 after he was ‘fired’ and then immediately took up the post of President at Chicago-based United. As part of his exit package, he received approximately $13 million in severance pay, with no caveat that he could not join another carrier. Since then, he has become the airline’s CEO.

He’s been credited for rebuilding the Star Alliance carrier and substantially improving its operations, according to View From The Wing. As part of his exit package from American, Kirby enjoys lifetime privileges, including unlimited reserved travel in any class of service for personal use. With these benefits, it is likely why he was spotted flying to his home in Dallas on the dime of his previous employer. It is worth noting that Kirby cannot use these benefits for work trips; they are permitted only when he is flying for personal reasons.

However, Kirby has more recently been at the center of United’s beef with American. The ongoing turf war between the two carriers in the Windy City has been elevated this year as United has aimed to ‘de-hub’ American in Chicago. Conversely, reports surfaced that Kirby had been mulling a potential merger between the two carriers to create the largest airline in the world, but American subsequently dismissed any discussions involving an acquisition.

Lifetime Privileges At American Airlines

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Kirby can pick up an American ticket at any time for personal purposes, including dependent children and immediate family. This includes access to the Admirals Club lounges, and up to 12 free round-trip passes, or 24 one-way passes for non-eligible family members and friends.

The unlimited reserved travel in any class of service enables the executive and his family to take free trips, such as to his home in Dallas. While he now works for United, he doesn’t reside in Chicago near the airline’s headquarters. Instead, he often works from home, where he lives with his wife and five children.

Since Kirby took up his post at United, the airline has grown exponentially and has improved its overall onboard experience, network, and reliability. The airline is now the largest in the US by fleet size, with more than 1,000 active aircraft. It also offers more nonstop long-haul flights than any other carrier.

Early Career & Education

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Kirby was born in 1967 and previously served as president of US Airways and American before becoming President at United and later the CEO. He was raised in Rowlett, Texas, and has five siblings. He had aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, and in high school played baseball and football.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in computer science and operations research from the United States Air Force Academy, he is also a trained pilot. He later earned a master’s degree in operational research from George Washington University. Earlier in his career, Kirby worked at the Pentagon as a budget analyst for the United States Secretary of Defense and also worked at Sabre Decision Technologies.

Kirby joined United Airlines in August 2016 as president, before becoming CEO in May 2020. He was the successor to Oscar Munoz, and has since been credited for improving the airline’s flight network, restructuring hubs such as Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN), and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).