United Airlines

United Airlines, birthed in 1926 by aviation tycoon William Boeing, is the love-hate child of the skies, known as much for its transcontinental triumphs as for its notorious blunders. Once a pioneer of the airline industry, United has had its fair share of turbulence—remember the infamous 2017 David Dao incident that sent their PR team into a nosedive? Despite such scandals, this Chicago-based behemoth still soars, boasting a current valuation in the tens of billions and a fleet that spans the globe. It’s a tale of two airlines: the same company that clinched the coveted title of “Eco-Airline of the Year” also faces accusations of customer service fiascos that would make a Yelp reviewer weep. At the helm, CEO Scott Kirby attempts to navigate the dual challenge of pandemic recovery and modernizing a fleet as ancient as aviation itself. United's achievements include the first-ever all-women crew flight, yet its legacy is also peppered with union clashes and environmental criticisms. Love it or loathe it, United Airlines is the epitome of high-flying ambition and occasional disaster, forever teetering on the edge between altitude and attitude.