Kelly’s positive test came after he attended a hearing in Washington, D.C. with the executives of other airlines.
By Kyle Arnold
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly tested positive for COVID-19 following a U.S. Senate committee hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill, the company confirmed Friday.
Kelly, the 66-year-old CEO of Dallas-based Southwest, appeared in the hearing sitting next to the CEOs of American Airlines, United Airlines, the chief of operations at Delta Air Lines and Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
A Southwest Airlines spokeswoman said Kelly was tested several times before the hearing and did not test positive until after he returned home.
The diagnosis was first reported by Reuters, which learned of the positive COVID-19 test through official sources. Kelly is experiencing mild symptoms and is resting at home. He is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot.
“Gary’s symptoms continue to be very mild, and each day he is moving closer to a full recovery,” Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said.
At the hearing, Kelly questioned whether masks added extra protection on top of the air filtration systems inside airplanes.
“I think the case is very strong that masks don’t add much, if anything, in the air cabin environment,” Kelly said at the hearing. “It is very safe, very high quality compared to any other indoor setting.”
Photos and video taken of the hearing show Kelly without a mask, along with the others who also didn’t wear masks during the duration of the hearing. However, Associated Press photos show the CEOs and other speakers wearing masks while talking before the hearing.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines said CEO Doug Parker is symptom-free and is planning on being tested Friday afternoon. Parker is also fully vaccinated.
Delta said chief of operations John Laughter, who also testified but did not sit immediately next to Kelly, has tested negative and is taking precautions.
Nelson, who reiterated the importance of wearing masks on planes, said she is also taking precautions after learning of Kelly’s diagnosis.
“I was advised by Gary Kelly shortly after he tested positive and, ironically, just as I was returning to work after getting the booster shot,” Nelson said in a statement. “I am following CDC protocols and will test several times within the 5-7 day recommended period, and before traveling with my family for the holidays.”
Chicago-based United did not respond to a request asking for CEO Scott Kirby’s status following the meeting.
In a message to employees on Friday, Kelly disclosed his health status and also said he “confused some with a short answer to a question about masks” at Wednesday’s Senate hearing.
“So, to be clear, I and Southwest and the A4A are all aligned and support the current federal mask mandate at airports and on airplanes,” his note to employees said. “There is no effort underway to change it before it expires.”
A4A refers to the Airlines for America trade association and lobbying group.
The mask mandate on planes is effective through March 18.
Kelly has already announced that he plans to retire on Feb. 1 and give the CEO title to executive vice president of corporate services Bob Jordan. Kelly plans to stay on as chairman.
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