United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby endorsed a national wealth tax and inheritance levies approaching 100% during an interview published on October 18, 2026. The executive argued that rising economic inequality threatens social stability, while simultaneously defending his airline’s pricing strategies and rising fuel costs.
The remarks from the airline chief executive arrived during a wide-ranging conversation with The New York Times, touching on everything from corporate leadership trust to his former employment. When asked about public skepticism toward high-earning executives, Kirby pointed directly to structural economic divides.
Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that.
Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, via Yahoo
He added that any wealth levy must operate at the federal level rather than through state governments because people will just move
to avoid regional taxation. On the subject of generational fortunes, Kirby went further. And I think we should have inheritance taxes that get close to 100% at some level. I would pay them,
he stated in the interview.
How Existing Tax Policy Compares to Kirby’s Proposal
Kirby’s tax proposals sit far outside current United States fiscal policy. Washington currently imposes no federal tax on individual beneficiaries who inherit assets, though a few states maintain individual inheritance levies. Instead, the federal estate tax targets the estate itself rather than individual heirs.
| Tax Metric | Current Federal System | Proposed Wealth and Inheritance Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Top Marginal Rate | 40% on taxable estates above exemptions (BigGo Finance) | Approaching 100% on certain estates |
| Basic Exemption Threshold | $15 million per individual in 2026 (Fox Business) | Not specified in the interview |
| Asset Coverage | Transfers upon death | Annual asset value (wealth tax) and inherited transfers |
According to Internal Revenue Service data, the basic exemption stands at $15 million per person for 2026, meaning only about 0.2% of estates generate enough value to face the tax. Meanwhile, legislative attempts to tax unrealized gains for individuals with a net worth of certain levels were considered while Democrats in Congress were gearing up to pass legislation, while subsequent legislation under President Trump locked in lower marginal income tax rates for top earners.
United CEO Defends Tiered Pricing for Seat Selection
When questioned about ancillary fees for travelers seeking to avoid middle seats without holding frequent-flyer status, Kirby defended the airline’s tiered pricing model.
There are some customers who want to sit in a window seat or a better seat, and that costs money to deliver.
Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, via Fox Business
He argued that charging for optional products allows carriers to accommodate diverse consumer preferences.
Reflecting on a Decade-Old Departure From American Airlines
The interview also revisited Kirby’s ouster from American Airlines ten years prior. After serving as president and positioning himself as the successor to the top job, Kirby was passed over when Doug Parker kept Robert Isom as the heir apparent. Parker fired Kirby on August 29, 2016, providing a separation package valued at $13.74 million that included cash severance, accelerated stock awards, and travel privileges, according to Aviation A2Z.
Reflecting on the dismissal, Kirby admitted it did not merely sting. It felt more like a betrayal,
he said, according to One Mile at a Time. Rather than retreating, he immediately called a United board member and joined United Airlines as president that same day, later ascending to the chief executive role in 2020. I am a better C.E.O. of United Airlines because of what happened than I would have been a C.E.O. of American,
Kirby told Simple Flying. It did force introspection.
Corporate Outlook
Despite ongoing debates over wealth distribution, corporate taxation, and the aviation industry, Kirby maintained an optimistic outlook on the domestic economy, telling interviewers that the nation’s future remains incredibly bright.
🇺🇸United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby endorsed a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100% at high levels, calling wealth inequality “a danger to our society” and saying he would pay them himself.Kirby also defended charging more to avoid middle seats and said… pic.twitter.com/T4dXWKK257