## Scott Kirby has never dined on overnight transatlantic flights
David Slotnick recently had the opportunity to interview United CEO Scott Kirby, and he [shared some insights about that in his Substack](https://davidslotnick.substack.com/p/what-united-airlines-ceo-said-last). [Kirby is an intelligent and engaging individual](https://onemileatatime.com/insights/best-airline-ceo/), and he generally engages in open dialogue, often expressing views that other executives might shy away from.
One of the most captivating pieces of information is Kirby’s assertion that United has no intention of merging with JetBlue, arguing that United’s growth organically is sufficiently robust, while JetBlue remains relatively small. Kirby really [finds it challenging to maintain a steady narrative](https://onemileatatime.com/news/united-cfo-airline-merger-comments-jetblue/) in that regard.
Yet, what caught my attention the most was:
> “I’ve crossed the Atlantic probably at least 100 times, and I’ve never once had a meal traveling from the US to Europe,” Kirby remarked. Prioritizing sleep and hydration is what’s most important. So for those of you voicing complaints about United’s catering, this might provide some clarity.
## Kirby’s in-flight dining habits clarify a lot
Interestingly, when airline CEOs discuss their own flight experiences, they often [manage to casually mention how often they fly in economy](https://onemileatatime.com/news/delta-ceo-flies-economy/) to appear more approachable. However, I find Kirby’s comment to be significantly more compelling.
Kirby is not alone in typically bypassing the meal service on eastbound transatlantic flights. Especially when departing from the East Coast or Midwest, the duration of flights is relatively short, leading to a choice between dining and resting.
Some individuals are simply exceptional at sleeping on airplanes, and I find myself a bit [envious of their capability to sleep](https://onemileatatime.com/insights/airplane-sleep-tips/) during a bustling meal service, which I personally struggle to manage.
While United has introduced a number of premium enhancements, catering remains a weak point in the airline’s passenger experience, especially in Polaris business class. United asserts it has poured more resources into its catering, but overall, people are not highly impressed.
I can’t help but speculate that Kirby’s own travel habits and meal preferences might partly account for that. As much as we may try to deny it, it’s instinctive to think that our own tastes align more closely with those of the average traveler.
Naturally, Kirby does not perceive dining as an area requiring significant investment, since it is not something he appreciates during overnight flights. Kirby is by no means the sole executive who adopts this kind of mindset, for better or worse. For instance, Korean Air boasts one of the best economy seat pitches among all airlines, largely because its chairman is quite tall, making it a personal priority.
## Conclusion
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has never dined on an overnight transatlantic flight to Europe. Therefore, if you’ve ever questioned why enhancing the catering in United’s Polaris business class hasn’t been prioritized, this sheds light on at least a part of the issue. Of course, many people head straight to sleep on transatlantic flights, but an equally significant number appreciate a quality meal service.
**What are your thoughts on Kirby’s experience with dining on overnight flights?**