United CEO Apologizes For Flying Private as Airline Cancels Thousands of Flights

United CEO Scott Kirby has issued an apology to customers and employees after facing backlash for taking a private jet while the airline was in the midst of canceling numerous flights.

The airline confirmed that Kirby flew privately from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey to Denver, Colorado, during a week when United faced significant disruptions. The company clarified that it did not cover the expenses for his flight. Teterboro is located close to Newark, New Jersey, which is one of United’s major hubs and was at the center of the airline’s recent operational challenges.

Kirby expressed regret in a statement, acknowledging that his actions diverted attention from the hard work of United employees. He admitted that opting for a private jet was an insensitive decision, considering the inconveniences faced by customers who were eagerly awaiting their flights. He sincerely apologized to both customers and team members who had been working tirelessly, often in challenging weather conditions, to assist passengers.

During this period, many United customers at Newark Liberty International Airport experienced frustration as flights were unavailable, leading to delays, cancellations, and lost luggage.

Looking ahead, Kirby pledged to demonstrate greater respect for the dedication of the team members and the loyalty of the customers.

The airline has canceled over 3,000 flights since the weekend, leaving numerous passengers stranded. As of Friday evening, United still faced significant delays and cancellations, with 34% of operations experiencing delays and 234 flights being canceled, according to FlightAware.

Kirby attributed much of the service disruptions to a lack of adequate staffing at air traffic control centers, particularly in the New York area, placing blame on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in an internal memo to United staff. He criticized the FAA for reducing arrival and departure rates at Newark, suggesting that understaffing and inexperience played a significant role.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, responsible for overseeing the FAA, responded to Kirby’s criticism, stating that United Airlines had internal issues to address and had been facing more significant challenges compared to other U.S. airlines. While Buttigieg acknowledged the need for additional air traffic controllers, he emphasized that air traffic control issues were not the primary cause of flight cancellations and delays, citing industry data.