{"id":161486,"date":"2026-10-20T05:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T23:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=161486"},"modified":"2026-10-20T04:26:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T22:56:33","slug":"american-airlines-fired-scott-kirby-paid-him-13-7-million-and-watched-him-rise-at-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/20\/american-airlines-fired-scott-kirby-paid-him-13-7-million-and-watched-him-rise-at-united\/","title":{"rendered":"American Airlines Fired Scott Kirby, Paid Him $13.7 Million, and Watched Him Rise at United"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CHICAGO-<\/strong> United Airlines (UA)<\/a> hired Scott Kirby in 2016 after his departure from American Airlines (AA)<\/a>. His separation benefits were valued at $13.74 million, including cash severance, accelerated stock awards and flight privileges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kirby later became United\u2019s CEO in 2020 and says his departure from American felt like a betrayal that motivated him to prove himself at a rival airline. The decision remains a notable case of executive succession, corporate leadership and competition in the US aviation industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: United Airlines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leadership Decision That Sent Scott Kirby to United<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scott Kirby served as president of American Airlines before leaving the company on August 29, 2016. He had worked closely with Doug Parker through their careers at America West and US Airways, and he had become one of American\u2019s most senior executives following its merger with US Airways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American\u2019s succession plan ultimately placed Robert Isom, then the airline\u2019s chief operating officer, in the position of president. Kirby was no longer part of the planned leadership structure and left the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American\u2019s 2017 proxy statement described his separation as the result of its board\u2019s executive succession planning process rather than his performance as president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision took on greater significance in light of Kirby\u2019s later account. In a 2026 interview with The New York Times<\/a>, Kirby recalled being told he would become CEO before the decision was reversed and he was dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to that account, Kirby first told his wife about the decision and then called a United Airlines board member. United hired him as president in 2016, giving him a route to the top position at one of American\u2019s largest competitors. He became United\u2019s CEO in May 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kirby said the experience motivated him to prove himself elsewhere. His subsequent rise placed him in direct competition with the company where he had spent years building his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Robert Isom (via LinkedIn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Role of Doug Parker and Robert Isom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The original commentary by Gary Leff argues that the succession decision reflected a conflict between 3 senior executives: Parker, Kirby and Isom. In Leff\u2019s interpretation, American could not retain all 3 in their existing roles because Kirby wanted to become CEO, Parker was not ready to leave the top position, and Isom was a viable successor who was likely to remain with the airline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This interpretation offers one explanation for why American selected Isom over Kirby, but the company\u2019s regulatory filing does not establish Parker\u2019s personal motives. Its formal explanation was that the decision resulted from succession planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The distinction matters because the documented outcome and the interpretation of why it occurred are not the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American\u2019s choice removed an experienced executive from its leadership team, while United gained someone with detailed knowledge of its rival\u2019s network, commercial operations and strategic priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Scott Kirby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Kirby\u2019s $13.74 Million Separation Package Included<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

American Airlines\u2019 SEC filing provides a detailed breakdown of the benefits Kirby received when he left the company in August 2016. The total was $13,740,552, but it was not a $13.74 million cash payout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to American Airlines\u2019 2017 proxy statement, the package consisted of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n