United Airlines CEO Advocates for National Wealth Tax
Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, recently voiced his support for a national wealth tax along with significant inheritance taxes for certain estates, citing that escalating wealth inequality is a serious concern for American society.
In an interview with The New York Times, he made these comments in response to questions about the dwindling public trust in corporate leaders. It’s worth noting that Kirby earned about $32.3 million in total compensation for the fiscal year 2025.
“Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that,” Kirby stated during the interview that was published on Sunday.
He emphasized the necessity of implementing a nationwide wealth tax, suggesting that only a national measure could effectively curb the trend of wealthy individuals relocating to evade state taxes. “We should have a national wealth tax — it won’t work by state because people will just move,” he remarked. He also mentioned his support for inheritance taxes that could approach 100 percent at certain thresholds, adding, “I would pay them.”
Kirby didn’t clarify the specific wealth level that would activate the proposed inheritance tax or the rate he envisions for a national wealth tax.
His comments come amid ongoing debates around increasing taxes on the affluent and the potential repercussions for investment, economic growth, and government revenues.
Implementing a federal wealth tax would mark a departure from the existing income and estate taxes, which currently focus on income and wealth transferred posthumously rather than on an individual’s overall asset value.
Additionally, Kirby’s proposal diverges from the current federal estate tax structure, which imposes a maximum rate of 40% on taxable estates exceeding given exemptions. For 2026, the IRS sets a basic exemption of $15 million per individual.
During the interview, he also touched on airline pricing, defending the practice of charging customers more for certain seating arrangements, particularly for those without frequent-flier status who wish to avoid middle seats.
“There are some customers who want to sit in a window seat or a better seat, and that costs money to deliver,” he expressed, according to the Times. He believes that offering various price points allows airlines to cater to different customer preferences.
Despite his worries about the issue of wealth inequality, Kirby maintains an optimistic view of the overall U.S. economy, sharing with the newspaper that he sees a “bright” future ahead for the country.
