United Airlines CEO aims to establish company as U.S. flag carrier

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has expressed his ambition to transform the company into a national flag carrier for the United States. During a press event to unveil the new Airbus A321XLR and announce significant international expansion plans, Kirby stated his goal is to create an airline that all U.S. citizens feel proud of, drawing a comparison to the prestige associated with Dubai-based Emirates.

Kirby has previously advocated for large-scale mergers with competitors such as American Airlines or Delta to achieve a similar status, though such proposals face significant regulatory hurdles. His current strategy focuses on growing the airline's route network and improving the passenger experience to compete with leading Middle Eastern and Asian carriers.