United Airlines lives and breathes confidence, and it shows.
The company’s CEO, Scott Kirby, figuratively pounded his chest and took an early victory lap while speaking with CNBC on Tuesday at the company’s hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
Amid cutbacks and financial struggles affecting airline companies across the industry, Kirby says United is in a strong position due to its onboard amenities, including Bluetooth connectivity and seat-back screens, that have customers choosing it over the rest.
“We’re just a different place because customers are choosing us, and I think that’s one of the biggest changes in the industry,” Kirby told CNBC. “So many airlines thought of air travel as a commodity.”
Kirby is adamant that the economic downturn will expose airline companies, for better or worse.
“This year is going to wind up demonstrating two things: If you’re a brand loyal airline, you’re resilient, even in [a] downturn,” he said. “And I think our fourth-quarter results are going to demonstrate the upside when the economy starts to recover.”
United Airlines is expanding
According to CNBC, United is set to grow domestic U.S. capacity 5.7 percent in 2025, compared to last year. By contrast, U.S. airlines are expanding, on average, just shy of 2 percent.
Related: United Airlines Adding Flights to 15 Cities Amid Rival’s Bankruptcy
Kirby’s comments come just weeks after United announced it’s taking advantage of rival airline’s financial struggles by expanding its winter schedule. United is adding new flights to 15 cities, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Miami, as well as extra flights between three main hubs: Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
The new service begins January 6.
Kirby predicts Spirit’s going out of business
While speaking at an industry conference last week in Long Beach, California, Kirby didn’t mince words when predicting Spirit Airlines’ fate amid its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing last month in less than a year.
Related: Spirit Airlines CEO Breaks Silence After Reports Airline Could Go Out of Business
Per CNBC, Kirby expects Spirit to go out of business.
“I’m good at math,” he said.
