I do love how Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, speaks his mind. During yesterday’s Q3 2025 earnings call, Kirby offered a chastising assessment of Mainland China while discussing the Trump administration’s proposed flight restrictions that would impact the ability of Chinese carriers to use Russian airspace on U.S. routes.

United Airlines CEO Chastises Mainland China, Praises Trump Administration For New Flight Restrictions

Earlier this week, I wrote about the Trump administration’s proposed plans to restrict the manner in which Chinese carriers serve the USA by prohibiting the use of Russian airspace. I pragmatically support such a move to offer a more level playing field between U.S. and Chinese carriers and as a way to punish Russia for its continued illegal aggression in Ukraine.

I find it both disappointing yet very straightforward as to why China is supporting Russia’s violence in Ukraine: it will one day attempt the same thing in Taiwan, a nation that is claimed but does not belong to the Mainland…yet.

With that context, Rajesh Singh of Reuters asked Kirby the following question during the call:

“Scott, I have a question on Russian overflights. United said this week that restrictions on flying over Russia mean you are effectively barred from flying directly to China from Chicago, Washington, or New York.

“United has called for expanding a proposed ban on Russian overflights to include Hong Kong. Should this ban be extended to other countries to bar their airlines from using Russian airspace for flights to the U.S.?

“The second part of my question is how much of a competitive disadvantage is it for U.S. airlines compared with other non-U.S. carriers that are currently using Russian airspace?”

Kirby’s response (bolding mine):

“I am going to focus on China, and I absolutely think this is just a matter of basic fairness. The Russian government does not allow U.S. airlines to fly over Russia, and we are competing with Chinese airlines that are allowed to. By the way, a country that is supporting Russia in the Ukrainian war.

“You know, a perfect example is we used to fly from New York to Hong Kong, and we cannot do it now. We are competing with a Chinese airline that is allowed to fly from New York to Hong Kong. That just isn’t right. That isn’t fair. All we want is a level playing field, and I absolutely think we should get it.

“I really appreciate that this administration is looking at the issue and focusing on the issue and has started. They’ve started with Beijing and Shanghai, and I hope they will continue the logical efforts and include, you know, the other large Chinese city, Hong Kong, in those efforts.”

I certainly appreciated that subtle dig and it’s refreshing to see him state the obvious…shame on China for its support of aggression. Unlike Israel in Gaza, this war was no act of self-defense. I also note that the brownnosing of the Trump administration continues unabated.

Why not India and the Gulf carriers too? While I’d like to see that, there is no Open Skies Agreement between the US and Mainland China, making such flight restrictions much easier. Starting with China is logical.

CONCLUSION

I appreciate that Kirby minced no words in his criticism of Mainland China over its use of Russian airspace and support of Russia in the Ukraine War. I concur that as a matter of fairness, it is time to restrict Chinese carriers from using Russian airspace on any flights to or from the USA as a condition for that service.