United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has drawn criticism for receiving approximately $32.3 million in total compensation during fiscal year 2025—comprising salary, stock awards, and performance incentives—while publicly advocating for aggressive wealth redistribution policies [1]. This compensation represents roughly 334 times the airline's median employee compensation of $96,670, according to United's 2026 proxy statement [1]. The disparity has become particularly contentious given Kirby's recent statements to The New York Times calling wealth inequality "a danger to our society" and proposing a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100 percent [1].
When asked by Fox Business how Kirby can justify his substantial compensation while arguing that growing wealth inequality threatens American society, and whether he plans to reduce his own pay to share wealth with employees, the company did not provide a response [1]. Kirby did not specify the wealth threshold for his proposed near-total inheritance tax or the rate he would support for a national wealth tax [1]. His comments have generated significant social media backlash on X, with some users threatening to boycott the airline, with one stating "And just like that @united will never get another dime from me" [1]. Another user criticized Kirby's focus, writing "@united your CEO is making me question flying your airline. Flight safety, price, timeliness. That should be his focus" [1].
During the same interview, Kirby defended United's seat pricing strategy, explaining that "there are some customers who want to sit in a window seat or a better seat, and that costs money to deliver" when asked about passengers without frequent-flier status paying to avoid middle seats [1]. At the time of reporting, United Airlines Holdings Inc. (UAL) stock was trading at $95.60, down $0.50 or -0.52% [1].
CONCLUSION
Scott Kirby's $32.3 million compensation package has created a credibility crisis as his public advocacy for wealth redistribution and inheritance taxes clashes sharply with his own executive pay—334 times the median employee salary. The controversy has triggered social media backlash and customer boycott threats, potentially impacting United's brand reputation and customer loyalty. The modest stock decline of -0.52% suggests the market has not yet fully priced in potential reputational or operational risks from this controversy.