United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby celebrates the opening of a new addition to the Flight Training Center in Denver, Colorado, on February 22, 2024.
Hyung Chang | Denver Post | Getty Images
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says he’s optimistic Boeing‘s recovery after a meeting with the new chief executive Producer.
It was a change of tone from the head of United, Boeing’s top customer who has been one of public frustration over the planemaker’s problems, which have led to delays in the delivery of dozens of planes.
Kirby and new Boeing CEO Robert “Kelly” Ortberg had lunch earlier this week in the Dallas area. Kirby said in a LinkedIn post on Thursday that he was “not only encouraged by what I heard, but I also came away confident that Boeing is on the right track and will recover faster than expected.”
United has 484 unfilled orders with Boeing, according to the manufacturer’s website.
Ortberg also met with American Airlines CEO Robert Isom earlier this week, according to people familiar with the matter.
Ortberg, who previously ran commercial and defense supplier Rockwell Collins and has more than three decades of experience in the aerospace industry, took the reins at Boeing a week ago, spending part of his first day on the Boeing 737 factory floor in Renton, Washington. Ortberg will be based in Seattle, a change from his previous leadership.
“His engineering background at Rockwell Collins, combined with his instincts to be close to the frontline team in Seattle, make for a winning combination,” Kirby wrote Thursday. “It is clear from our discussions that they are 100% engaged, understand the cultural change needed to transform and are committed to listening to their employees and customers.”
United and other major customers such as Southwest Airlines has been grappling with delayed jetliners as Boeing tries to recover from its latest security crisis after a plug leak in the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 earlier this year.
No one was seriously injured in the accident – which occurred after the bolts holding the door plugs were not installed before the airline received the plane – but it comes after several other manufacturing defects in Boeing planes.
“In speaking with our customers and industry partners so far, I can tell you that without exception, everyone wants us to succeed,” Ortberg said in a note to staff on the first day last Thursday. “In many cases, they need us to be successful.”