United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby recorded a very cute video and penned a brief note to employees ahead of the 2022 Christmas holiday.
2022 Holiday Note From United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
Kiby has a really cute family and each year he gets in front of the camera with his wife and kids and records a brief holiday message. It’s nothing deep or profound, but it nicely humanizes the “bean counter” at United by introducing us to his kids, who are all wearing matching pajamas (the whole family is). Unfortunately, I cannot share the video, but I can share the note he attached with it:
United team,
It’s amazing to think of everything that we’ve accomplished in the last year. We’ve come through COVID as the leader in global aviation in so many ways. From the way our customers now feel about United to our impact on sustainability, the Aviate academy, our Calibrate Program, the 15,000 people we’ve already hired (with plans for 15,000 more next year!) — it’s a long list of achievements.
And now with our historic order to purchase up to 200 new Boeing widebody aircraft — the largest widebody order by a U.S. carrier in history — we’ve never been better positioned to become the biggest and best airline in the history of aviation.
So, as you get ready to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, I hope you’ll also take time to celebrate all that we’ve achieved together and the very bright future ahead. I can’t thank you enough for your part in our incredible success.
And for those of you who are about to watch the annual holiday video my family and I recorded a couple weeks ago *Spoiler Alert* I’m officially a grandfather now! Brittany had a healthy baby boy last week. Mom and baby are doing great!
From my family to the United family and your families at home —
Have a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.
Best,
Scott
Yes, Kirby is now a grandfather:
View this post on Instagram
United did not send out any holiday note or card to its MileagePlus members this year, so I suppose this is the closest we will get. It’s a shame United does not do a better job of showcasing the great work its does with Fantasy Flights – it is inspiring work and a testament to the generosity of many pilots, flight attendants, and gate agents who volunteer their time to help make Christmas a little brighter for children.
image: @scottkirby / Instagram
Everything seems so sweet and Christmas wonderful on here. But for someone like me who United screwed out of family home for Christmas it stinks. Grandson under 15 was flying as unaccompanied minor from his mother’s in Wichita to his father’s at Denver airport, then onto Christmas week with grandparents in Milwaukee. Grandpa made the arrangement and paid the extra $300 for grandson to fly United to Denver. Mom had him at the gate and ready to fly as instructed today to Denver at noon time and meet up with dad in Denver and connect for an evening flight into Milwaukee.
The agent at boarding insisted the extra $300 was not paid and would not let him board, and his flight took off. Once the error was found ($300 was already paid) United did book him to Denver on the evening flight with NO Apologies. The only problem was his connecting flight to Milwaukee in Denver left him less than half hour to re check bags and get to his gate with dad. Getting another flight out of Denver to Milwaukee in the evening or the next few days proved to be impossible.
So because the United agent made a mistake and would not let him board on his reservation made months ago, I will be unable to have my grandson and son for our planned Christmas week vacation. Does United take any responsibility for ruining my son’s, grandson’s, grandmother or grandfather’s vacation and stealing their time together at Christmas? No apology was offered, so we’ll see if any compensation is offered.