Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, has called for significant tax reforms to combat what he describes as a dangerous wealth inequality in society. With a compensation package that is 334 times greater than that of the average employee at United, Kirby’s remarks highlight the growing economic divide.
In an interview with the New York Times, Kirby declared, “We should have a national wealth tax—it won’t work at the state level because people will simply move. I also believe we should have inheritance taxes approaching 100% at a certain level. I would pay them.” His willingness to forfeit his own wealth underscores his commitment to addressing social disparities.
Kirby’s total compensation last year amounted to $32.28 million, which included bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. In stark contrast, the average United Airlines employee earned $96,670 during the same period. This disparity is not just a reflection of Kirby’s high pay but is indicative of broader trends within corporate compensation; according to Oxfam, CEO salaries increased by 11% in 2025, while employee wages rose merely 0.5%.
The gap is further illustrated by United’s job postings, including positions at the airport starting at $19.64 per hour. Even if an employee worked a full 40-hour week, it would take approximately 790 years for them to earn what Kirby makes in just one year.
Kirby’s warning comes amid increasing social inequality, with recent Federal Reserve data revealing that the wealthiest 1% of American households now control 32.5% of the nation’s net worth, while the bottom half hold only 2.3%. Despite support from influential figures like Bill Gates and Marc Benioff for similar measures, Kirby’s radical proposal has sparked criticism in political circles. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly mocked Kirby on X, suggesting that with such strong beliefs, he could simply write a check directly to the Treasury to help reduce national debt.
