As CEO of one of the world’s most profitable airlines, Ed Bastian remains among the highest-paid executives in global aviation.
US Airline CEO Salary
Here is a closer look at who Tony Fernandes is, and how much he earns heading AirAsia in 2026.
As a result, CEO compensation in aviation is heavily performance-linked, often volatile, and sometimes controversial.
Below is a closer look at Bob Jordan, his professional background, and his salary package as of 2025.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian’s fixed base salary is roughly US$991,000 per year, which forms just a small portion of his overall pay package.
United Airlines’ executive pay structure is performance-based and heavily tied to shareholder return, profitability, and long-term growth.
In 2024, the average salary of a pilot at Chicago-based United Airlines (UA) is approximately $248,118 per year.
In 2024, United Airlines (UA) CEO Scott Kirby emerged as the highest-paid airline executive among major US carriers, with a total compensation of $33.9 million.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, among highest-paid airline executives in the US, earned a salary and compensation of $18.6 million in 2023.
A report published by the Senate subcommittee has revealed that US airlines are earning billions of dollars in so-called ‘junk fees’ for charging customers for ad-hoc items like carry-on baggage, checked-in luggage as well as pre-booking of seats.