United Airlines CEO: “We Are The Best Airline in The History of Aviation”

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confidently declared, “We are the best airline in the history of aviation,” as the company wrapped up a stellar 2024.

While Kirby may be puffing his chest a little too much, the numbers that have been reported are a certain reason to boast.

During today’s earnings call, United reported pre-tax earnings of $4.2 billion and an adjusted pre-tax margin of 8.1 percent. Full-year diluted earnings per share reached $9.45, while adjusted earnings per share landed at $10.61, aligning with the upper end of its initial guidance.

Post-Pandemic Success

United has crafted a remarkable post-pandemic strategy that sets it apart in the competitive aviation landscape. The airline is experiencing robust demand across all sectors, indicating a swift recovery in travel preferences.

In response to this evolving market, the airline has successfully adjusted its service offerings, resulting in a noteworthy 10 percent increase in premium revenue, demonstrating a growing appetite for enhanced travel experiences.

Photo: Courtesy of United

Additionally, corporate travel has seen a seven percent uptick, reflecting the resurgence of business-related flights as companies resume face-to-face meetings.

One of the most notable highlights is the impressive 20 percent year-over-year increase in Basic Economy ticket sales, which indicates a growing interest among budget-conscious travelers who are eager to explore more options. In previous earnings calls, Kirby has pointed out that the decline of the low-cost carrier industry in North America is partly due to the presence of United’s Basic Economy product. This offering not only serves cost-conscious travelers seeking affordable options but also appeals to regular United customers looking for better prices in certain markets.

Meanwhile, loyalty revenue increased by 12 percent, and cargo operations saw a significant 30 percent jump.

Record-Breaking Operations and Expansion

United operated more flights and carried more passengers than ever before in 2024, transporting nearly 174 million customers system-wide. The airline averaged 4,340 daily flights, operating 145 more mainline flights per day compared to 2023.

Investments in technology, infrastructure, and staff training propelled the airline to first place in on-time performance across all seven of its U.S. hubs.

Photo: United Airlines, Boeing 777-200ER. Courtesy of Denver International Airport.

As part of its aggressive international expansion, United announced the largest international growth in its history, adding nine new destinations for Summer 2025, eight of which are not served by any other U.S. airline.

These include Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Nuuk, Greenland; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Faro, Portugal; Madeira Island, Portugal; Puerto Escondido, Mexico; and Dakar, Senegal.

The airline also introduced its largest-ever winter schedule, including new services to Marrakesh, Cebu, and Medellin.

Customer Experience Enhancements

United’s focus on the passenger experience paid off, with customer satisfaction scores improving throughout the year. The airline launched MileagePlus pooling, becoming the first legacy U.S. airline to allow customers to share and redeem miles in one linked account.

United also introduced new cabin interiors across over 300 new and retrofitted aircraft, featuring larger overhead bins, seatback screens at every seat, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Photo: Courtesy of United

According to the airline, this cabin retrofit program has led to a 4.5-point improvement in customer satisfaction with inflight entertainment.

In addition, United secured a groundbreaking deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink Wi-Fi to more than 1,000 aircraft as early as spring 2025.

The airline also launched Kinective MediaSM, a pioneering media network leveraging travel behavior insights to deliver personalized advertising, experiences, and offers from leading brands.

Investment in Workforce and Infrastructure

United continued to invest in its employees and facilities, opening an expanded Flight Training Center at its Denver hub and breaking ground on a new state-of-the-art Inflight Training Center near its Washington, D.C., hub.

With strong demand trends continuing into 2025, United expects to maintain its momentum and aims for double-digit pre-tax margins. The airline is set to serve more international destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific than any other U.S. carrier, offering flights to 147 international destinations, including nearly 40 not served by any other U.S. airline.

Photo: Scott Kirby, United Airlines CEO. Courtesy of United Airlines

As United expands its network, enhances customer offerings, and embraces new technologies, its trajectory remains firmly upward, reinforcing its position as a leading global carrier.

Kirby’s statement that United is “the best airline in the history of aviation” is both ambitious and open to debate. While it will take time to fully assess this claim, the airline’s record-breaking growth, customer-focused innovations, and bold expansion strategies certainly indicate that it is moving in the right direction.

If United continues to execute its vision with the same momentum, Kirby’s words might not seem like an overstatement for long.