A Veterans Day message to United Airlines employees by CEO Scott Kirby is in classic Kirby style, with superlatives about the status of the United States of America and United Airlines.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby Offers 2025 Veterans Day Message
In a video filmed at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Kirby thanks veterans for their service and thanks United employees for “making us the best airline in history.” He adds that volunteer troops today in the U.S. help to “make sure that this stays the greatest country on Earth.”
“Hello everyone, thank you for all that you’ve done to make United Airlines the best airline the history of aviation. I’m so proud of all of you. But today, I wanted to you and say happy Veterans Day and thanks to all the people who served in our country’s armed forces in the past or are serving today.
“I’m coming to you today from my alma mater here at the United States Air Force Academy, where I just got to see hundreds of cadets and really be inspired for the next generation. And people that are volunteering, that are making the same kind of commitment that many of you had to make sure that this stays the greatest country on Earth. So thank you to everyone at United Airlines for making us the best airline in history and all the veterans who have made this the greatest country on Earth. Thank you.”
An accompanying written note added:
“At United, we welcome and benefit from the talent and experience of our veterans. The values they instill and the leadership they bring to our team is immeasurable. So, thank you to all the veterans at United and everywhere around the world. Your service and what you do for this country makes the world a better place.
These sorts of messages on Veterans Day and Memorial Day have become routine for Kirby.
As a proud American and former Air Force Reservist, I am thankful for this nation and for the wonderful group of men and women I was able to serve with. As for United being the best airline in the history of aviation…um, no. Not even close. But it’s a worth ambition and I’d love nothing more than for United to achieve that goal. However, I’d let others tell you how great you are instead of proclaiming how great your are yourself…just my two cents.
Happy Veterans Day, and I too thank all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and pledge loyalty to our Constitution, for we are a nation of laws, not men.
image: @scottkirby / Instagram
It sounds like he called the USA the greatesT country on Earth (true) and United the best airline in history (false, but he’s paid to say stuff like this).
The best airline in the history of…what?
Chum in the water for Tim Dunn
Mhm. This entire post and Kirby’s statements are ‘bait.’
What kind of bubble does that fool life in? Medicaid being cut to afford tax cuts for billionaires. IRS funding being cut so that the 1% can’t be audited for their dodgy tax deductions. College costs out of control. Housing costs too expensive. Felons who attacked and beat the police on Jan. 6th pardoned and so much more. This guy is sucking up so hard to get that JetBlue marriage approved he could pull all the oil out of the ground in Alaska with his tiny little mouth.
100%
Things are not looking good for anyone, except Trump and billionaires. Everyone else is getting screwed.
Let’s note that as of November 2025, the Chicago based legendary United Airlines’ fleet consists of 1055 mainline aircraft, the largest of any airline worldwide. UA operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing narrow-body and all Boeing wide-body aircraft with more wide-bodies than any other North American passenger airline. The average age of United’s fleet is 15.6 years.
Ridiculous statements like that are why Kirby is so utterly untrustworthy. A little hyperbole is one thing, like saying that United is the best USA airline right now, but when you ride the line between delusional and lying how are people supposed to believe whatever is spewing out of your mouth? That would be less of an issue if he was just a flunky but trust is pretty vital to be an effective CEO. This just illustrates why Kirby would make a splendid number two behind Oscar or some similar sane visionary.
These days, I think Kirby is more annoying than Bastian.
Still beats previous UAL CEOs in the past – who told employees why it’s okay to be #3 among the big three, and there was no point in trying to be #2, much less #1.
Yes, UAL has a bit of an Ego in charge right now, but he is continuing to make actual changes that make things better for the consumer (changes he’s made: free Starlink, eliminating flight change fees, installing large seat-back entertainment, initiating route growth, adding new /unusual / exclusive destinations, changing UA express flights back to mainline, investing in new terminals, and continually improving the UA app – easy seat changes, delay reasons spelled out, easier rebooking after cancellations – just to name a few while he’s been CEO).
He’s far from the worst CEO any airline has had, much less any of UAL’s/CAL’s in the past. You might not say UAL is the “best” like he does – but it’s hard to argue UAL has gotten worse since he took over.
What’s with all the typos in your stories these days. Even the quotes have typos. Sloppy.
Grammar fascist?
“ and pledge loyalty to our Constitution, for we are a nation of laws, not men.” Sure Scotty Sure. Except the FACT that the person you’re a fluffer for is NOT loyal to the Constitution and has ZERO respect for our National laws nor does He abide by them. Tomorrow morning, when you’re shaving and brushing your teeth, perhaps you should have a long talk with the man in the mirror looking back at you because I think he’s a HYPOCRITE.
Poonited
America being the greatest country depends on the criteria.
By some criteria, other contenders for greatest country includes Palau, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Vatican, Monaco, Luxembourg, Germany, UK, Chile, Taiwan, and the Sovereign Order of Malta.
I guess most American Airlines employees would rather have Scott Kirby than Robert Isom as their CEO.
Scott Kirby make UAL employees feel proud, while Robert Isom did his best to not spend a penny.
United Airlines CEO Hopes USA “Stays The Greatest Country On Earth,” Boasts That United Is “The Best Airline In History”. Thank you for the headline. had a good laugh. The uberconfidentiality is so typical for Americans. The greatest country on earth where 45 millions are on food stamps, you get bankrupt because of medical bills and i can continue. And greatest airline in history is another part of the joke.
Buddy, I hear you, but, let’s be clear, no one uses the phrase ‘uberconfidentiality’… feels very German (Komposita, compounding words).
We are truly screwed if the country is like United Airlines, which considers itself the best airline in the world.
United (and Delta) have both tried very hard, and compared to American, United is definitely miles ahead. But compare to the rest of the world, United is just lacking. United business class catering is horrible and is well known among the traveling public. Surely the seat is nice but United is not the best airline in the world. I hope the country can do better than United.
United is not the best airline in history. That’s a super rich statement coming from a company that is making passengers pay 300+ to fly an airplane with zero entertainment unless you use your cellphone to watch the entertainment. I was on a flight recently that didn’t have that option and no charging ports, and cheap snacks that have like 3 pretzels in it!
America Sucks and it has never been “great”.
Its a hellscpae traveling into and out of any major US city.