United Poaches American Airlines President Scott Kirby
Photo Credit: United Airlines was able to pry its new president, Scott Kirby, from rival American Airlines. American Airlines
Skift Take
Scott Kirby, known for his strong financial acumen, could be the savior United's investors have been seeking.
In a surprise move, American Airlines President Scott Kirby has left for the same job at United Airlines, where he will work under new CEO Oscar Munoz, who seeks to transform the airline from industry laggard into one of the world's best-run carriers.
Kirby, respected in the industry for his skill at increasing revenues, had worked with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker for more than two decades, since both joined America West Airlines in 1995. Parker and Kirby rose through the ranks together, helping their small Arizona-based discount airline merge first with US Airways and later with American. Kirby was named US Airways' President in 2006, and took the same job with American in 2013.
Kirby is the third senior executive Munoz has hired this month, joining new CFO Andrew Levy, the former Allegiant Air president, and new chief commericial officer Julia Haywood, a former Boston Consulting Group
