While Thousands of United Airlines Passengers Are Left Stranded, CEO Scott Kirby Flees Chaos on Private Jet

United Airlines cancelled almost 3,000 flights this week leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

But United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby didn’t have to endure the chaos.  Instead, on Wednesday he hopped on a private plane to get out of the New York area faster than his customers.

Kirby has now apologized saying in a statement, “Taking a private jet was the wrong decision because it was insensitive to our customers who were waiting to get home. I sincerely apologize to our customers and our team members who have been working around-the-clock for several days — often through severe weather — to take care of our customers.”

AP reports, “Kirby blamed disruptions in Newark last weekend on a shortage of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers. He said in a note to employees ‘that the FAA frankly failed us’ by reducing the rate at which planes could arrive and depart the airport, where United is the dominant carrier.”

Pilots at the airline aren’t buying it and criticized Kirby saying he has known this was coming for months.

Scott Kirby has known this was coming for months. Why isn’t United staffed to assist our affected passengers in a more caring manner? ‘Good leads the way’ is United’s slogan. Deflecting is management’s habit.https://t.co/ZaIkQkVibn#unitedpilots #contractnowunitednext pic.twitter.com/js93xFrQfY

— United Airlines Pilots (@UnitedPilots) June 28, 2023

Inc praises @United‘s CEO Scott Kirby for his leadership masterclass…Meanwhile, he finds his own class – “First in Jetting Out 101”, unable to bag a seat on his own airline to Denver. #IronyAtItsBest #UnitedLeadership #Management #AirlineNews $UALhttps://t.co/b7KMQrtQad pic.twitter.com/uKn04snyQv

— United Airlines Pilots (@UnitedPilots) July 1, 2023