Southwest CEO Gary Kelly tests positive for COVID-19 after unmasked Senate hearing
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, two days after appearing unmasked at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing with executives from other airlines.
The positive test was first reported by Reuters.
Kelly first began informing close contacts of his positive test result on Thursday, a source familiar with the matter told TPG on Friday. Southwest disclosed the positive test after being approached by Reuters on Friday.
Kelly's symptoms were mild, a spokesperson for Southwest said.
"Although testing negative multiple times prior to the Senate Commerce Committee Hearing, Gary tested positive for COVID-19 after returning home, experiencing mild symptoms, and taking a PCR test," the Southwest spokesperson said in the statement. "Gary is doing well and currently resting at home, he has been fully vaccinated and received the booster earlier this year."
The spokesperson confirmed that Kelly's positive test result came on Thursday.
Kelly appeared unmasked at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday sitting between American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who were also unmasked. Delta chief operating officer John Laughter and Association of Flight Attendants president Sara Nelson were also at the table with Kelly.
Kelly's appearance drew scrutiny following the hearing after he seemed to question the value of the federal mask mandate in public transportation settings, including in airports and on board commercial aircraft.
"I think the case is very strong that masks don't add much, if anything, in the air cabin environment," Kelly said. "It is very safe and very high quality compared to any other indoor setting."
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker appeared to agree with Kelly initially, but later clarified that he was only agreeing that cabin air is clean, emphatically stating that he supported the mask mandate.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian, speaking with CNBC on Thursday, took a different tone than his Texas-based counterparts, saying he still supports the mask mandate.
"I don't know that I agree with Gary's remarks, particularly as we see omicron continue to enter into our country," Bastian said during an interview. "Masks are going to be important as a safeguard for a while yet."
In a statement on Thursday following the hearing, Southwest said that it would continue to abide by the mandate.
"Southwest Airlines continues to abide by the federal mask mandate for customers and employees both within the airport environment and onboard all Southwest aircraft," the statement said.
Southwest did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Friday following reports of Kelly's positive test.
United CEO Scott Kirby tested negative on Friday, according to a person at United Airlines familiar with the situation.
Read more: Mask mandates questioned during Capitol Hill hearing, but — in the end — airline CEOs hold the line
A spokesperson for Delta confirmed that Laughter tested negative on Friday. Nelson said in a statement that she planned to follow CDC guidance and test repeatedly over the next several days, while a spokesperson for American Airlines did not immediately return a request for comment.
"Get vaxxed, wear a mask, and be kind," Nelson added. "My dear friend is in the ER for days with her husband waiting on emergency surgery while in extreme pain, but there are no hospital beds and no way to get him the treatment he needs. This is not freedom. Only solidarity will get us there."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.