After meeting with Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, the recently appointed CEO of Boeing, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby expressed fresh hope about the company’s future. Kirby, who has been outspoken about his frustrations with Boeing over continuous problems affecting aircraft delivery, has taken a noticeable turn in attitude with this statement.

In a LinkedIn post, Kirby expressed encouragement from the conversation, highlighting his belief that Boeing is on the path to recovery and will improve more swiftly than anticipated. United Airlines currently has 484 outstanding orders with Boeing, according to the manufacturer’s website.

Ortberg, who assumed the role of CEO just a week ago, also engaged with other major airline executives, including American Airlines CEO Robert Isom. Ortberg, who brings extensive aerospace experience from his previous role at Rockwell Collins, began his tenure at Boeing by visiting the company’s 737 production facility in Renton, Washington. The new CEO will be based in Seattle, marking a departure from the company’s previous leadership locations.

Kirby praised Ortberg’s engineering expertise and his commitment to addressing Boeing’s cultural and operational challenges. He emphasized that Ortberg’s hands-on approach and dedication to listening to both employees and customers could play a critical role in turning the company’s fortunes around.

Boeing has been facing significant hurdles, including delays in delivering aircraft to major clients like United and Southwest Airlines. These issues have been compounded by recent safety incidents, such as a door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 earlier this year. Although no injuries were reported, the incident highlighted ongoing manufacturing defects that have plagued Boeing.

In his initial communication to staff, Ortberg acknowledged the critical nature of Boeing’s success for its customers and industry partners, underscoring the company’s urgent need to address its current challenges effectively.

As Boeing navigates through these turbulent times, the optimism from key customers like United Airlines signals a potentially positive shift in the company’s trajectory under new leadership.