—
United CEO Scott Kirby Praising President Trump for JetBlue Merger?
Chicago, IL —
In an unexpected turn of events, United Airlines (UA) CEO Scott Kirby has publicly praised former President Donald Trump for his economic policies — specifically linking Trump’s controversial tariff strategies to the recently approved merger between JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines.
Speaking at a private business aviation summit in Dallas this weekend, Kirby commended Trump’s past efforts, arguing that “policies geared towards American industry protection” have ultimately helped stabilize the aviation sector and “set the stage for bold moves like the JetBlue merger.”
“Trump’s vision was about more than just tariffs,” Kirby said to a room full of executives and reporters. “It was about creating durable, middle-class careers in American industries like aviation — industries that have faced relentless pressure from foreign competitors and internal market inefficiencies.”
The comments, Kirby’s second public endorsement of Trump’s economic legacy within a three-week span, have sent ripples through both the airline industry and political circles. Traditionally, the aviation industry — heavily reliant on global trade, open borders, and economic predictability — has been cautious about aligning too closely with nationalist economic policies, often criticizing tariffs for driving up costs.
Yet Kirby struck a different chord, emphasizing that Trump’s tariffs indirectly forced U.S. companies to rethink supply chains and prioritize American manufacturing — a shift that, according to Kirby, has left U.S. airlines more resilient today.
—
JetBlue-Spirit Merger: A “Necessary Evolution”
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) shocked many when it announced last month that it would not block the proposed $3.8 billion merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines. The merger, framed as a necessary strategy to create a stronger competitor to the “Big Four” airlines (American, Delta, United, and Southwest), is seen as a pivotal moment for the industry.
Although United Airlines is not directly involved in the merger, Kirby celebrated the move, claiming it would “inject much-needed competitiveness” into the market while offering consumers more affordable choices.
He controversially linked the regulatory approval to what he called “Trump’s foundational groundwork,” suggesting that the business climate created during Trump’s administration fostered an attitude among regulators to “think differently about competition, consolidation, and the protection of American jobs.”
Kirby argued, “The instinct under President Trump was to focus on the national interest — sometimes to a fault — but in aviation, that attitude recalibrated the balance between free-market idealism and protecting American workers. We’re seeing the benefits today.”
—
Industry Divided on Kirby’s Comments
Not everyone in the aviation world shares Kirby’s enthusiasm. Industry analysts, union leaders, and some rival executives were quick to distance themselves from his remarks, arguing that Trump’s tariffs hurt aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, increased costs for airlines, and exacerbated supply chain woes — issues still plaguing the industry.
Sara Jennings, a senior analyst at AeroEconomics, criticized Kirby’s comments as “revisionist history.”
“The reality is Trump’s policies created major supply disruptions,” Jennings said. “If anything, aviation companies spent much of the last five years trying to undo the damage.”
An executive at a competing airline, speaking anonymously, called Kirby’s remarks “tone-deaf,” especially given that United itself has faced multiple challenges with aircraft deliveries, citing component shortages linked to tariffs.
Union representatives for pilots and flight attendants were equally wary. While some agreed that a focus on American jobs was welcome, they cautioned against “overly simplistic narratives” that credit a single administration for complex, multi-year industry trends.
—
Kirby’s Political Calculus?
Some political observers believe Kirby’s praise may be less about ideology and more about strategic positioning. With whispers of a second Trump presidential run gaining steam and aviation policy expected to be a hot-button issue in upcoming elections, aligning early with Trump’s economic vision could help United curry favor with a potentially returning administration.
Moreover, United has been aggressively lobbying for air traffic control reform, infrastructure investment, and favorable tax treatment for sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) — all issues that could be impacted by the political winds in Washington.
“Kirby may be playing a long game here,” said Mark Reynolds, a political strategist based in Washington. “Praising Trump now could be a way of hedging bets, especially if the regulatory environment tightens again in 2025.”
Kirby himself dismissed such speculation. “I’m not a politician,” he said during his Dallas speech. “I’m a business leader who calls it like I see it. And when it comes to securing middle-class careers in aviation, President Trump deserves some credit.”
—
A New Tone for United Airlines?
Under Kirby’s leadership, United has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan dubbed “United Next,” aimed at drastically increasing the size of its fleet, hiring thousands of new employees, and investing in greener technology.
The airline’s recent moves, including large aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, suggest that Kirby’s vision is focused on long-term resilience — a resilience he now partially attributes to policy shifts from the Trump years.
Whether this public alignment with Trump will pay off remains to be seen. For now, it’s clear Kirby is willing to break with aviation’s traditionally cautious political stance and stake a bold claim: that sometimes, economic nationalism and aviation prosperity can coexist.
As Kirby concluded in Dallas: “At United, we’re not red or blue. We’re red, white, and blue — and we support any policies that put American aviation first.”
—