United Airlines CEO receives bumper deal after resignation, despite federal probe

United Airlines (UA) CEO will recieve free flights for life and other benefits despite leaving the company during a federal probe.

The UA CEO Jeff Smisek will receive at least $21million (£13.6million) in cash and stock, free flights for life (plus companion tickets), free parking in downtown Chicago and Chicago and Houston airports, and get to keep his company car, after leaving the company.  

He stepped down last week amid a federal corruption investigation. The compensation package could rise further – he is still eligible for the incentive pay he accumulated prior to his resignation.

The ongoing investigation concerns whether UA launched a money-losing flight from Newark, New York (NY), to Columbia, South Carolina. The flights would have been for the benefit of the former Chairman of the Port Authority of NY and New Jersey, who had a home in Columbia.