United Airlines slashes 2026 profit outlook on fuel prices, but travelers keep booking despite higher fares

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby earned a staggering $32.3 million last year - more than 300 times the compensation of his company's median employee. The wealthy business leader has called for a national wealth tax and an inheritance tax that could potentially reach 100%. Kirby believes that such measures are necessary to address the growing wealth inequality in America.

He stated, "Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that." Kirby's own compensation, which included a $1.2 million base salary and $22.6 million in stock awards, illustrates the stark economic divide between executives and their employees. In Dallas, where Kirby resides, a part-time airport customer service representative earns around $19.64 per hour, making it take roughly 790 years to match Kirby's 2025 compensation under no raises or bonuses.

Kirby's proposal aligns him with other high-profile business leaders like Bill Gates and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who have also advocated for higher taxes on the wealthy. However, his comments have faced criticism, such as a comment from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry suggesting Kirby could simply pay into a public fund to address his concerns. The proposed tax thresholds and rates have not been specified by Kirby.