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Scott Kirby: latest market views
United Airlines
Summary
Scott Kirby is the CEO of United Airlines, which he has led since 2020 after previously serving as the airline's president and as president of American Airlines.
Chorus has 5 views from Scott Kirby across 2 episodes on CNBC Closing Bell and Squawk Pod (CNBC Squawk Box) since October 21, 2026.
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Newest first. Every quote is checked against the episode's transcript.
Jet fuel prices will stay high into 2027, pressuring airline costs.
Kirby says he expects jet fuel to stay high into 2027. Phil LeBeau notes jet fuel costs are up 60-65% depending on the airline, and United's costs were up 61% year over year. Kirby says the industry must act: airlines will have to stop flying routes that lose money. Given the cost pressure, United's fourth-quarter profit is forecast to be smaller than a year earlier.
“I think we'll stay high into 2027.”at 27:35
Six to 10 US airlines will lose money this year, though airfares remain below 2019 levels in real terms.
Kirby says six to 10 US airlines will lose money this year. Airlines are coming off the COVID low, and airfares are up sharply this year. Even so, after inflation, fares are still down compared with 2019. That means higher fares have not yet restored the sector's profitability. The clip is a short teaser, so the full argument is not shown.
“Six to 10 US airlines are gonna lose money this year, and you're coming off of the COVID low. So while airfares are up a lot this year, they're still down in real terms compared to 2019.”at 1:27
Squawk Pod (CNBC Squawk Box): Musk Floats Mega-Merger, United CEO on Airfares & Fuel 10/21/26 ·
Jet fuel prices will stay high into 2027 because the cost increase is structural.
Kirby says the high fuel prices are structural, since costs have risen across the board from the COVID lows. Six to ten US airlines will lose money this year, which creates stress and pressure on capacity. He says United is planning for higher jet fuel and higher industry capacity next year. He is not sure when the weaker carriers will need to cut routes, but he expects the stress to continue. The Spirit exit this year gave only a temporary reprieve.
“I think we'll stay high into 2027.”at 50:54
Squawk Pod (CNBC Squawk Box): Musk Floats Mega-Merger, United CEO on Airfares & Fuel 10/21/26 ·
Passive wealth growth escapes tax and should be taxed, while income taxes should fall.
Kirby says wealthy people can invest and let money grow tax-free for life, and then get a step-up in cost basis at death, so the gains are never taxed. He says hardworking Americans pay about 40% of their income in tax, and that feels unfair. In his view, a system with lower income taxes and taxes on the gain in wealth would be fairer. He says this is one non-consensus view, not policy advocacy, and that there are many ways to do it.
“Like, I think as a matter of fairness, passive wealth growth ought to be taxed somehow.”at 54:32
Squawk Pod (CNBC Squawk Box): Musk Floats Mega-Merger, United CEO on Airfares & Fuel 10/21/26 ·
Airspace capacity, not airports, is the main constraint on air travel and causes delays and cancellations.
Kirby says airports are being upgraded across the country, citing United's new Houston terminal built in 33 months and Dulles going quickly. He argues that the bigger issue is airspace, which limits the number of flights. Using airspace efficiently and continuously when safe would do far more to cut delays and cancellations than new terminals. He says the FAA and the administration are on the right path.
“The bigger issue for us is really getting the airspace. The constraint on air travel today is the airspace.”at 58:09
Squawk Pod (CNBC Squawk Box): Musk Floats Mega-Merger, United CEO on Airfares & Fuel 10/21/26 ·
Shows
- CNBC Closing Bell · 1 episode
- Squawk Pod (CNBC Squawk Box) · 1 episode
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