Highest Paid US Airline CEO Earns Almost $34 Million

CHICAGO- In 2024, United Airlines (UA) CEO Scott Kirby emerged as the highest-paid airline executive among major US carriers, with a total compensation of $33.9 million.

This marked a significant rise from his 2023 earnings and signaled a return to uncapped executive pay following COVID-era restrictions.

The compensation figures, disclosed in SEC proxy filings, also showed significant variations among CEOs of other major carriers like Delta Air Lines (DL), American Airlines (AA), and Southwest Airlines (WN).

These figures reflect not just performance, but also shifting priorities in the post-pandemic aviation market.

Photo: Aviation A2Z, Source Wikimedia Commons

Highest Paid US Airline CEO

The airline industry in the US underwent strict pay limitations between 2020 and 2022 due to the CARES Act, which tied federal aid to executive compensation caps.

CEOs during this period were limited to a base of $3 million plus a fraction of their 2019 compensation.

According to OMAAT, these caps officially ended on April 1, 2023, enabling 2024 to be the first full year of unrestricted executive earnings since the pandemic began.

With that regulatory constraint lifted, US airlines have realigned CEO salaries to reflect performance, market expectations, and shareholder interests.

The compensation breakdowns vary in structure, incorporating base salary, bonuses, stock awards, and incentive plan earnings, depending on the airline’s financial strategy and board decisions.

Each airline structures executive pay differently, combining salary, bonuses, incentive plans, and equity awards. The table below shows how each US airline CEO’s 2024 compensation was allocated:

Photo: American Airlines 777 by Clément Alloing Compounded by Aviation A2Z

Factors Influencing CEO Pay in 2024

Several factors contributed to the differences in CEO compensation:

• Stock Performance: United Airlines (UA) saw stronger stock growth compared to peers, which directly influenced executive equity compensation.
• Operational Metrics: Delta (DL) maintained consistent profitability and customer satisfaction, supporting steady executive pay.
• Board Priorities: American Airlines (AA) adjusted Robert Isom’s compensation downward amid mixed financial outcomes and shareholder concerns.
• Corporate Governance: Southwest Airlines (WN), known for its conservative culture, kept CEO pay lower than competitors despite activist pressure.

Comparison with Previous Years

Here’s a comparative look at CEO compensation for the top four US airlines over the past three years:

US vs Global Pay Norms

US airline CEOs consistently earn significantly more than their global counterparts. This is due to the nature of US corporate governance, investor expectations, and the emphasis on stock-based compensation.

While some critics argue this model leads to excessive executive pay, others see it as a vital tool to retain talent in a high stakes, low margin industry.

Although airline margins are generally thinner compared to sectors like tech or finance, the executive pay in aviation remains robust due to its strategic importance and intense competition.

Photo: Southwest Airlines

Bottom Line

CEO pay in the US airline sector rebounded sharply in 2024, especially at United Airlines (UA), where Scott Kirby topped the charts.

With the CARES Act caps fully lifted, compensation now mirrors performance more transparently.

The figures from 2024 reveal a competitive executive market that ties leadership rewards to financial results, especially stock performance and operational resilience.

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