United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby Shares His Daily Routine

Meet Scott Kirby: The Man Behind United Airlines

In a recent conversation, Scott Kirby, the 59-year-old CEO of United Airlines, shared insights into his life and leadership style. Based in Dallas, Kirby discussed his background, career journey, and the daily practices that keep him grounded and effective.

From the Air Force to Airline Leadership

Kirby began his journey at the Air Force Academy but soon realized that an inner-ear condition would prevent him from becoming a fighter pilot. Instead, he transitioned to work at the Pentagon and later earned a graduate degree in operations research.

With a desire to apply his mathematical skills without residing in a major city, Kirby returned to Texas and joined a technology subsidiary of American Airlines. His career progressed through various roles, eventually leading him to United Airlines, where he became president nearly a decade ago and took on the CEO role in 2020.

A Day in the Life

Kirby describes his daily routine as both structured and flexible. He starts his day between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m. after an average of eight and a half hours of sleep, without the use of an alarm clock. His morning begins with a piece of fruit followed by a workout that includes a mix of upper body weights, kettlebells, running, and core exercises. During his workouts, he catches up on emails and reads major newspapers.

“The industry is never boring — occasionally I wish for boring — but it’s always stimulating,” Kirby said.

Once his workout is complete, Kirby spends quality time with his children, often having breakfast together before taking them to school. He cherishes a family tradition of sharing big hugs and kisses, which he finds amusing, especially for his seventh-grader.

Work Ethic and Meeting Philosophy

Kirby typically begins his workday around 8 a.m., though he is available earlier for international calls. He maintains a strict guideline of limiting meetings to no more than four hours a day, ideally around two to two and a half hours. He emphasizes the importance of productive discussions over slide presentations.

• Executive team meetings occur three times a week for one to two hours.
• Kirby prefers open dialogue to formal presentations.

During lunch, Kirby opts for quick meals, often eating in five minutes, and prefers to communicate through calls rather than lengthy meetings. He dedicates about three hours daily to reading, walking while he does so, and averages over 20,000 steps each day.

Insights on Reading and AI

Kirby, an avid reader, consumes about one and a half books weekly, with a preference for science fiction. He believes reading enhances his understanding of global events, which proved invaluable during the onset of COVID-19. His foresight allowed United Airlines to secure crucial financing just before the pandemic escalated.

“I was a week and a half ahead of the news… We raised $2 billion in financing two days before the NBA walked off the court,” he recalled.

Family Life and Travel

After work, Kirby makes an effort to engage with his children, often shuttling them to various activities. Family dinners are a staple, followed by a bedtime routine that involves playful activities and reading.

While he travels frequently for work, including several overseas trips each year, he values flexibility in his travel arrangements, often flying with other airlines to gain insights into their operations.

Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence

Kirby holds a nuanced view of artificial intelligence, recognizing its potential while critiquing its current applications. He believes that AI’s role in programming is powerful, having personally engaged with AI tools to enhance his own programming skills.

“Nobody should trust AI answers, because all you get is all the crap from the internet. If you have bad input, you get bad output,” he stated.

At United Airlines, Kirby is committed to leveraging AI to develop innovative solutions that were previously impractical.

Source Reference (businessinsider.com): I’m the CEO of United Airlines and the least stressed person you've ever met. Here's my daily routine.