Scott Kirby’s July 4th message to United employees mixed patriotism, corporate pride, and his usual claim that United Airlines is not just the biggest airline, but “the best airline in the history of aviation.”
Scott Kirby: United Airlines Plays A Pivotal Role In Exporting American Values (And Of Course, Is “The Best Airline In The History Of Aviation”)
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby marked America’s 250th birthday with a July 4th message to employees, calling Independence Day his favorite holiday and tying United’s global network to the broader ideals of the United States.
The message, obtained by Live and Let’s Fly, was delivered in front of the United “Stars and Stripes” Dreamliner aircraft and leaned heavily into the idea that United does more than move people from one place to another. Kirby framed the airline as an ambassador of American culture, values, and opportunity.
Here is the full transcript:
“Happy Fourth of July everyone! I’m coming to you on our nation’s 250th birthday, standing in front of this cool airplane on what is actually my favorite holiday. And the reason it’s my favorite holiday is because I truly love this country and everything that it stands for. The level of freedom that we have here is just unprecedented around the world. And at United Airlines, we’re a huge part of what it means to be the United States of America.
“We talk about connecting people and uniting the world. Every year we take millions of US citizens around the globe to see other perspectives, other cultures, and understand what the globe is like. We also bring millions of foreign citizens here into this country to see the culture the tradition, the values, the opportunity what this country truly stands for. And so what we’re doing at United Airlines isn’t just flying people around the globe, it really is spreading the culture and values that have made this the greatest nation earth.
“So all of you, thank you for everything that you’re doing in this busy summer conversation. This is the busiest season we’ve ever had in our history, doing it and all the storms and all the weather that happens every year in the summer, so thank you and I’m very proud of what you’re doing. I want to say thank you for making United Airlines not just the biggest airline, but the best airline in the history of aviation.”
A Patriotic Message, And A Very Kirby Claim
There is a lot here that is very much on-brand for Kirby.
First, the patriotism. Kirby often speaks in broad terms about United’s role in the world, and on July 4th that is not out of place. Airlines really do connect people, cultures, families, businesses, and countries. United’s global network is one of the things that makes the carrier distinct among U.S. airlines, and there is nothing wrong with reminding employees that they are part of that story.
Second, the message fits the moment. Summer is brutal for airline operations. Thunderstorms, ATC constraints, full flights, and irregular operations make this a difficult season. Thanking employees during the busiest summer in company history is always helpful and with recent raises (almost) across the board, it’s not just lip service.
But then comes the line:
“Thank you for making United Airlines not just the biggest airline, but the best airline in the history of aviation.”
That is quite a statement…even though Kirby has now made it for years.
United has made enormous progress. I have said that many times. The airline has rebuilt its international network, invested in premium cabins, improved lounges, added aircraft, focused on technology, and positioned itself as the most globally relevant U.S. carrier. In many ways, United is the most interesting airline in the United States right now.
But “best airline in the history of aviation” remains a rather astonishing claim…
CONCLUSION
Scott Kirby’s July 4th message to United employees was patriotic, expansive, and very much in his voice. I appreciate the sentiment. United does play an important role in connecting the United States to the world, and its employees deserve thanks for making that happen.
Of course, calling United “the best airline in the history of aviation” is also classic Kirby: bold, sweeping, and…a bit much. But he’s quite right, much to the surprise of many foreigners and to my own delight, that United has brought many foreigners into the country (especially during the World Cup) and they have fallen in love with America…that’s something we can all celebrate.
Cringeworthy stuff with some objectively wrong bits as the US is only 15th in the Human Freedom Index. It looks like he’s out to alienate any potential customers who don’t happen to be American.
The Best Airline in the history of Aviation … Pan American World Airways
Of course since United purchased much of Pan Am’s assets, I guess Kirby thinks they also bought the rights to that claim as well.
He needs to improve the catering one heck of a lot before throwing around statements like this.
Add an elite international first class and then Kirby can start making that claim