$32 million [$33.9, but who’s counting?] CEO lectures America on income inequality

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is calling for a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100% for certain estates, arguing that growing wealth inequality poses a threat to American society.
Kirby, who took home about $32.3 million in total compensation in fiscal year 2025, made the remarks when asked about declining public trust in corporate executives during an interview with The New York Times.
"Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that," Kirby told the outlet in an interview published Sunday.
The airline executive argued that a wealth tax would need to be implemented nationwide rather than at the state level to prevent wealthy Americans from relocating to avoid paying it.
"We should have a national wealth tax — it won’t work by state because people will just move," Kirby told the outlet. "And I think we should have inheritance taxes that get close to 100 percent at some level. I would pay them." [“Because I’ll be dead then, and will already have set up trusts for my seven kids, so what do I care? And that wealth tax? Start it at a billion, okay? I let you know if I get near that threshold and need it raised.”

AI Overview

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby's stock holdings in United Airlines Holdings Inc. (UAL) are valued at approximately $78 million to $89.5 million, depending on the exact share count and current market price. [1, 2]

Share Ownership: He owns roughly 810,851 shares of United Airlines stock. [1]
Current Stock Price: UAL trades around $96.10 to $117.70 per share (with recent tracking near $96.10 as of October 18, 2026, and $117.70 following earlier market shifts). [1, 2]
Total Valuation: GuruFocus estimates his UAL holdings at over $78 million, while WallStreetZen values his current UAL stake at approximately $89.52 million. [1, 2]