United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said he approached American Airlines about exploring a possible merger that he argued would create a larger, more globally competitive U.S. airline capable of challenging foreign carriers, although the proposal was dismissed by American, effectively ending the talks.

Kirby publicly confirmed that he initiated the discussions, saying he believed a combined airline could expand international service, strengthen the U.S. aviation industry, and offer more affordable options for travelers.

"Over the last two weeks, there's been a lot of commentary about a potential merger between United Airlines and American Airlines. And to be direct, here's what happened: I approached American about exploring a combination because I thought we could do something incredible for customers together. I always knew that the only way any merger could be successful (and approved) is if it was great for customers and with a willing partner that shared my big, bold vision," Kirby said in a statement on April 27.

He framed the idea as a growth‑focused merger that would "create a truly great airline" and give the United–American combination the scale to "compete and lead around the globe."

"I recognized from the beginning that a merger this big in our industry would attract a lot of skepticism in the media, including from some government officials. Since previous mergers have been about saving struggling airlines, previous legal and regulatory reviews have always focused on subtraction and what's being lost. But, a different kind of merger proposal – one that's focused on growth, customer investments and global competitiveness – would have been a different proposition altogether," Kirby said.

But without a willing partner, he acknowledged the idea is "off the table for the foreseeable future."

"I was confident that this combination, which would have been about adding and not subtracting, creating a truly great airline that customers love, could get regulatory approval. I was hoping to pitch that story to American, but they declined to engage and instead responded by publicly closing the door. And without a willing partner, something this big simply can't get done," the United chief added.

Kirby explained that in the past, airline mergers usually have been about two struggling airlines coming together to cut costs, flights and headcount — but his aspirations is different. "The bold idea I wanted to pursue was about growth that would usher in a brand new era of leadership by U.S. aviation. After all, flight was born here and the storied names of the past, including both United and American, set the standards that the rest of the world aspired to. By combining our airlines and using that scale to revolutionize our customers' experience, we'd create a new, thriving U.S. airline that would be the very best in the world for customers – full stop."

"While American's public comments make it clear that a merger like this is off the table for the foreseeable future, I do think it's worth taking the time to describe in some more detail what this could have looked like," he added.

The United chief said in the simplest terms, combining United and American "could scale and grow that winning, customer-focused approach; unlock incredible, new opportunities for both airlines' customers, employees and the communities we serve and; create a great, new U.S. airline with the scale to compete and lead around the globe."

Globally competitive US airline

Kirby said the United-American merger could create a "truly globally competitive airline – based in the U.S."

"Today, there's a big trade deficit with foreign flagged airlines – they fly about 65% of the long haul seats into our country even though only 40% of the customers are foreign citizens – and the combined scale of United and American would be a better way to compete with foreign carriers," he said, adding that a larger US global airline would deliver U.S. jobs and economic opportunities.  

"This U.S. airline would set the standard for the next century just like U.S. airlines used to in the first century of passenger flight. And this would be a great U.S. airline that is the best, whether you're a customer from Chicago, Des Moines or Dubai.

Kirby added that the combination would also boost the U.S. economy, creating millions of jobs and revitalizing and strengthening the U.S. aircraft manufacturing industry.

"A combined company would have created tens of thousands of new high paying, unionized jobs with great benefits which would have led to even more career growth opportunities for the 250,000 employees already at United and American," he said. "Plus, the combined airline's need for new aircraft would have supported American manufacturing and domestic supply chains and driven even more job creation. And by flying more seats to more places in the U.S., this merger would boost local tourism and business travel, generating billions of dollars in U.S. economic activity and even more jobs," he added.

American Airlines rejected the approach, stating it was “not engaged with or interested” in merger talks and arguing that such a deal would be anti‑competitive and harmful to consumers. "

Despite the end of possible merger talks with American, United said its long‑term vision remains the same. "While our pursuit of talks with American have ended, our mission to build the greatest airline in the history of aviation at United is well underway," Kirby said.

"While the airline industry has always been dynamic and unpredictable (it's one of the reasons that I love this business), United's future is brighter than it's ever been," he added.