Scott Kirby

Kirby says fast connectivity, not free access, is the real value proposition for in-flight Wi-Fi, and only Starlink delivers it.

Free was never the value proposition. Fast is the value proposition, and there’s only one option for fast. It’s Starlink.

Kirby says Delta's decision to pass on Starlink in favor of Amazon's Leo for in-flight Wi-Fi was a mistake.

It was a mistake

Kirby says customers are already switching flights to get Starlink service, which he expects to help build loyalty to United.

I’m talking to people like, ‘I’m switching to flying a regional flight because it’s got Starlink.’

Kirby calls Starlink the most important factor for customers choosing an airline and the biggest competitive advantage, though a temporary one as everyone will eventually get high-speed LEO connectivity.

the most important thing for customers to choose an airline now

Scott Kirby warned fuel prices may stay elevated through 2027 and that double-digit margins require lower fuel costs, slower capacity growth or higher fares over volume.

Fuel prices may stay high through 2027. To achieve double-digit pre-tax margins, airlines must rely on falling fuel costs, slower capacity growth, or continuing to raise fares rather than pursue higher passenger volumes.

Original (zh)

聯合航空執行長科比（Scott Kirby）則警告，燃油價格可能在2027年持續處於高檔。他指出，若要實現兩位數的稅前利潤率，航空公司必須仰賴燃油成本下降、放緩運能成長，或繼續採取提高票價、而非追求更高載客量的策略。

Kirby says LEO Wi-Fi will eventually be industry standard, but United expects to be the only global U.S. airline with Starlink at scale in 2027-2028, drawing new customers.

We know that eventually high-speed, low earth orbit Wi-Fi will be industry standard for everyone,” Kirby said. But for 2027 and really 2028, we are well on our way to being the only global U.S. airline with Starlink at scale. So a lot of new customers are going to try us.

Kirby described Starlink as a truly differentiating RASM tailwind for United in 2027.

truly differentiating RASM tailwind in 2027

Scott Kirby warned that the aviation industry could face further structural changes through the end of next year.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby also warned on Wednesday (21 October) that the aviation industry could undergo further structural changes through to the end of next year.

Scott Kirby said flying airplanes is costly, and since most airlines will lose money this year, fares must stay high or weaker carriers will not survive.

“It’s expensive to fly airplanes,”

Kirby says flying is costly and most airlines will lose money this year, so fares must stay high or weaker carriers won't survive.

“It’s expensive to fly airplanes,” Scott Kirby, the chief executive of United Airlines, told Wall Street analysts in a conference call on Wednesday. Most companies in his industry will lose money this year, so fares will have to remain high, he said. “I think the tide has to rise for everyone or those airlines simply won’t exist.”

Scott Kirby said airfares are likely to stay elevated into 2027.

United CEO Scott Kirby said on the Oct. 21, 2026 earnings call that fares are likely to stay high into 2027.

Kirby says United is investing beyond aircraft and technology into infrastructure like new concourses, baggage systems and employee facilities to improve the overall customer experience, with Houston's Terminal B North setting a new standard.

"I want our customers to start their vacation the minute they show up at the airport and Terminal B North sets a new standard for facilities across the country," said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. "Houston is great example of our focus on the overall customer experience – yes, we're investing in new aircraft, products and technology here, but we're also focused on improving the infrastructure, building new concourses, baggage systems and training and maintenance facilities for our employees."

Kirby, as relayed from a New York Times interview, called wealth inequality a danger to society and advocated a national wealth tax plus an inheritance tax approaching 100%, saying he would pay them.

It won't work state by state, so people will just move. So we need to do that on a national level. And we need an inheritance tax that gets close to 100% at some level. I would pay them.

Kirby says Starlink Wi-Fi attracts new customers who stay for United's app, service and product, and that these advantages will outlast Starlink becoming an industry standard.

We are winning new long-term, brand-loyal United customers because they are trying us for Starlink but staying with us for the industry-leading app, great service, on-board product and technology. These advantages will persist long after the fast, low-Earth orbit Wi-Fi we are offering today becomes the industry standard.

Kirby commits to leading on the next innovation once Starlink-class Wi-Fi becomes standard.

By then, United will be leading on the next innovation as we seek to sustain our lead with customers.

Kirby says results prove the resilience of a strategy focused on brand-loyal customers amid a volatile environment.

Our employees met the challenge of our ever-changing environment and our results prove the resilience of focusing on building a brand-loyal airline for customers

Kirby also called for inheritance taxes close to 100 percent at some level.

close to 100 percent at some level