United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby wants the carrier he runs to be among the first companies to require that employees get a Covid-19 vaccination.
The other major U.S. airlines, however, have yet to take the same view.Speaking to employees late last week, Kirby said he believes that writing letters to the family members of United staffers who have died from Covid-19 is the worst thing he will have to do in his career.
"And so, for me, because I have confidence in the safety of the vaccine -- and I recognize it's controversial -- I think the right thing to do is for United Airlines, and for other companies, to require the vaccines and to make them mandatory," he said.
Scott Kirby
Other airlines are vowing to facilitate employee vaccinations but have not expressed an appetite for making them mandatory.
Southwest, for example, said in a statement that it strongly encourages employees to get vaccinated and noted that vaccinations are free for employees and dependents through all of its health insurance plans.
Alaska said it is working on a plan to enable easy vaccination access to its staff.
Delta said it is strongly advocating for its frontline workers to be considered essential under CDC vaccination priority recommendations.
American, too, said it is working to develop a program for employees vaccinations.
"We do not plan to require our team members to receive the vaccine unless vaccinations are ultimately mandated for entry to certain destinations," the carrier said.
The question of whether airlines, and other travel industry companies, should require that employees take the Covid-19 vaccine is on the radar of the U.S. Travel Association, a spokesperson said. But the trade organization has yet to take a position on the matter.
Kirby told United staff that requiring that they take the vaccine is the best way for the company to ensure not only their safety, but the safety of customers. But he added that United can't go it alone.
"We need some others to show leadership. Particularly in the healthcare industry," he said.