The Highest Paid US Airline CEOs of 2017
When it comes to air travel, for consumers, it's usually all about the fare and the experience. But what about the people behind the scenes running the show and determining what that experience and those fares looks like? Well, behind each of the largest US airlines is a CEO at the helm — and they earn a lot of money. But how much do each of them earn exactly, and who makes the most?
According to filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the six largest airlines in the US raised the earnings of their CEOs for 2017 with two exceptions — JetBlue's CEO Robin Hayes, who saw a minimal decrease, and United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, whose earnings fell early 49% from 2016.
Here's a look at which of the airline CEOs made the most in 2017:
1. Delta Air Lines CEO Edward Bastian — $13,205,703
Ed Bastian's 2017 pay totaled $13.2 million — up 5% from the year prior. Bastian's total pay broke down as just more than $800,000 in salary, but he earned a vast majority of his total compensation in the form of stock ($6.7 million) and option awards ($3.3 million), as well as with the company's non-equity incentive plan compensation ($2.1 million).
Aside from Bastian, who has been the CEO of Delta since May 2016, the next-highest earner at Delta for 2017 was the company's President Glen W. Hauenstein, who earned $8.2 million. As a point of comparison, Hauenstein's 2017 earnings were more than double that of JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes.
2. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker — $12,175,486
In 2017, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker took home $12.1 million. Parker's 2017 earnings totaled 9% more than his total in 2016. Parker hasn't received a salary since 2015, instead only being paid exclusively in AA stock.
The next-highest earner at AA was the company's President Robert Isom, who took home $7 million — again, more than Robin Hayes of JetBlue.
3. United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz — $9,561,134
2017 was a tough year for United. At the forefront of its issues was the infamous Dr. David Dao dragging incident, followed by several other noteworthy events. Internally, United CEO Oscar Munoz was the biggest name to take some of the blame, coming in the form of a pay cut.
In total, his 2017 earnings of $9,561,134 totaled nearly half of what he earned in 2016 — $18,720,548. Munoz announced in a memo to employees in April that he decided to skip his 2017 bonus from the airline's compensation committee. "I felt it was important to send a message about the culture of accountability and integrity that we are building here as a United team."
Of the six largest US airline CEOs, Munoz made the most in 2016. In fact, his 2016 earnings were higher than any of the six CEOs even for 2017. Also, Munoz' base salary is higher than that of the other five largest US airline CEOs.
4. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly — $7,560,200
Southwest, the low-cost carrier known for offering travelers no frills tickets with two free checked bags, was the fourth-highest paying for its CEO. Gary Kelly, the airline's chief executive took home a total of $7,560,200 in 2017, about $1.4 million more than his payout from the year prior. Kelly earned a base salary of $740,625 for the year.
The next-highest earner on the Southwest executive board was its Chief Operating Office Michael G. Van de Ven who took home $3,449,487 — again, more than JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes.
5. Alaska Airlines CEO Bradley Tilden — $5,718,166
For Alaska Airlines, 2017 was a year of preparing for and nearing completion of a merger with Virgin America. The combined company's CEO Bradley D. Tilden was compensated a total of $5,718,166 for 2017. His earnings were based off of a base salary of $534,616, with a majority of his final earnings — $2.7 million — from his stock awards.
The remaining Virgin America member on the airline's executive team walked away with $1.8 million in compensation in 2017.
6. JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes — $3,142,893
Of the six largest US carriers, JetBlue awarded its CEO Robin Hayes the smallest amount of compensation in 2017. In total, Hayes earned $3,142,893. While Hayes didn't earn as much as his peers, his base salary of $565,000 was higher than that of Alaska's Bradley Tilden.
The majority of Hayes' compensation — $2.2 million — came in the form of stock awards. Notably, his 2017 compensation was about $258,000 less than that from the year prior.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.