Traveling Blog: United's Revenue Boss + Minor CEO Disses Hyatt + Behind Eventbrite's IPO

August 27, 2018

Editor's Note

The good news is that United Airlines President Scott Kirby is one of the first executives to commit to being a guest at our inaugural Skift Forum Asia in Singapore next May. The even better news is that Aviation Business Editor Brian Sumers didn't want to wait that long to talk to Kirby, so he tracked him down last week at an aviation summit in Denver and had him sit for a few questions.

Kirby is undeniably a breath of fresh air in airline executive ranks. Cocky, to be sure, but that comes with no inhibitions to speak his mind. Just read Sumers' Q&A below. After you finish reading the piece, you may wonder, as we did, if it's time for United CEO Oscar Munoz to step aside and hand the controls to Kirby. Munoz's tenure has certainly been a magnet for controversies, and a smooth transition might signal United is ready to start a new chapter. Kirby is voracious about revenues, but as he tells Sumers he had an epiphany this past year as United was being slammed on social media about the importance and power of public opinion.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

Register Now For Skift Restaurants Forum

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You'll hear from Airbnb, Delta Air Lines, Marriott International, and many more at Skift Global Forum! Take a few days away from your desk to immerse yourself in the perspectives of travel's savviest professionals.

United Airlines President on Turning Skeptics Into Believers

Not everyone likes Scott Kirby because he has a habit of speaking his mind, whether his opinions are popular or not. But there's little doubt about his track record. The man knows how to increase an airline's revenue. He's done it at America West, US Airways, American, and now United.

Minor Hotels CEO: Why Hyatt's Interest Was an Embarrassment

Minor Hotels CEO Dillip Rajakarier talks a pretty big game, and he doesn't hold back on what's on his mind about where his company stands in global hospitality.

Eventbrite's Planned IPO Reveals Tension in Global Event Marketplace

Taken as a whole, Eventbrite's IPO filing shows the company has been spending to scale its ticketing platform globally and tee up a strong offering for investors. It will be interesting to see if the company can continue its explosive growth while being scrutinized as a public company.

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New technologies, practices, and vendors are emerging to help airlines distribute their airfares. The new landscape is complex. But Air Canada's latest effort reveals at least one part of the emerging picture.

Autogrill Designs Roadside Eating With Civility

For 70 years, Autogrill has been keeping its menu and its business model fresh. Not easy when you sit along the world's busiest highways. The Italy-based chain is one of the subjects in Skift's recent sixth anniversary book, For the Long Haul, Lessons on Business Longevity, whose chapters we are excerpting for you here.

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For years, travel insiders have figured all brands, including airlines, would make big money in China. That is almost certain to happen someday. But it's not the case now, and with fuel prices rising, it makes sense that U.S. carriers are reevaluating their strategies.

Rental Brand Sonder Raises $85 Million on Soft Brand Boom

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