United CEO Says Vaccinated Flyers Essential For Long-Haul Travel Rebound
Photo Credit: United's CEO expects travelers will need a vaccine for long-haul international travel. Flickr / Markus Eigenheer/FlugZüge
Skift Take
People jokingly throw around the phrase "have vaccine, will travel" as Covid-19 inoculations roll out. But the phrase appears poised to take on some gravity with the CEO of United Airlines saying vaccines are a likely to a prerequisite as long-haul travel comes back.
United Airlines is eager for long-haul international travel to return, with the segment critical to its returning to profitability after the dark days of the coronavirus pandemic.
But if Americans want to relax on Greek beaches or see the Eiffel Tower this summer, the Chicago-based carrier's CEO Scott Kirby says they will likely need a Covid-19 vaccine.
"For anybody who wants to travel long-haul — go to Europe this summer, or go to New Zealand or Australia [during] the North American winter, I expect you're going to have to have a vaccine," United CEO Scott Kirby said during a Washington Post Live event on Thursday.
Nearly 55 percent of Americans 18 years of age and older had received at least one shot of a
