Who is the Highest Paid Airline CEO in the U.S. for 2025?

2025 CEO Salaries Compared to Previous Years

Here are the details of the salaries for U.S. airline CEOs in 2025:

Scott Kirby - CEO of United Airlines: $32.3 million

Ed Bastian - CEO of Delta Air Lines: $19.2 million

Bob Jordan - CEO of Southwest Airlines: $16.6 million

Robert Isom - CEO of American Airlines: $13.9 million

To put this into perspective, Scott Kirby's salary in 2025 is slightly lower than in 2024 ($33.9 million), but it shows significant growth compared to 2023 and 2022, where the figures were $18.6 million and $9.8 million, respectively.

CEO Salary Policies in the Context of COVID-19

It's important to note that CEO salaries were restricted from 2020 to 2022 due to provisions in the CARES Act, which aimed to support U.S. airlines during the pandemic. Under this act, the maximum fixed salary a CEO could receive was $3 million, plus 50% of total income exceeding that amount compared to 2019.

Different Airlines and Their Salary Structures

While the overall salaries are high, the salary structures among airlines can vary significantly. For Scott Kirby, the $32.3 million salary includes a base salary of $1.2 million, $8 million from non-equity incentives, and $22.6 million from stock awards. This indicates that compensation is not solely cash-based but also tied to the company's performance in the stock market.

Comparing CEO Salaries with Other Countries

In the U.S., airline CEO salaries are often many times higher than those of airline CEOs abroad. This is a common practice in the industry, but it's essential to recognize that U.S. airlines face numerous profitability and margin challenges. For instance, a major airline CEO in Vietnam might earn only around $200,000 to $500,000 annually—a figure that pales in comparison to their U.S. counterparts.

The Need for Accountability and Responsibility

While these figures seem substantial, comparing salaries to actual performance is crucial. For example, Scott Kirby has significantly improved United Airlines' financial performance, leading to strong stock growth. Conversely, Ed Bastian has seen his salary decrease substantially and has become a focal point in discussions about fairness in compensation within the airline industry.

Salary Trends and the Future of the Airline Industry

In today's era, airline CEOs are often compensated as if they are running businesses with high profit margins. 2025 marks the third year since the pandemic began, and CEO salaries are no longer capped. Salaries at the four major airlines range from $13.9 million to $32.3 million.

Useful Information for Vietnamese Travelers

For those looking to fly to the U.S., understanding the airline industry and the various carriers is essential. Currently, U.S. airlines like United Airlines and American Airlines offer direct flights from Vietnam. Round-trip ticket prices can reach around 20 million to 30 million VND, depending on the season and booking time. Vietnamese travelers should also be mindful of the U.S. visa application process, which can take 2-3 weeks.

Conclusion

Although the airline industry is not among the highest profit-margin sectors, CEO salaries are set as if they are managing highly profitable enterprises. With CEO compensation remaining high, careful consideration of salary decisions is imperative in today’s fiercely competitive market.

Article referenced and edited from: One Mile at a Time