AbbVie vs United Airlines: Founders, CEOs and History
AbbVie was founded in 2013 by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin) and is led by Robert A. Michael. United Airlines was founded in 1926 by Walter T. Varney, William Boeing and is led by Scott Kirby.
Company facts
AbbVie
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- North Chicago, Illinois
- Current CEO
- Robert A. Michael
- Employees
- 57,000
United Airlines
- Founded
- 1926
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois
- Current CEO
- Scott Kirby
- Employees
- 113,200
Founders
AbbVie
Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin)
Abbott Laboratories was AbbVie's corporate predecessor. AbbVie's official launch materials describe the company as formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. Richard A.
United Airlines
Walter T. Varney
Walter T. Varney founded Varney Air Lines, which won Contract Air Mail Route 5 and flew its first route between Pasco, Washington, and Elko, Nevada, via Boise, on April 6, 1926.
William Boeing
William Boeing formed Boeing Air Transport in 1927 to fly the Chicago-San Francisco air mail route and then, with Frederick Rentschler, created United Aircraft and Transport Corporation in 1929.
CEOs and their tenures
AbbVie
- Richard A. Gonzalez2013–2024
Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Served as AbbVie's chief executive officer from its formation in 2013 through June 2024 and as executive chairman through June 2025.
Source - Robert A. Michael2024–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Became chief executive officer on July 1, 2024 and chairman on July 1, 2025. He previously led finance, commercial operations, and corporate strategy roles at AbbVie.
Source
United Airlines
- Oscar Munoz2015–2020
Former CEO
Munoz handed over to Scott Kirby in May 2020 and served as executive chairman for a transition period.
Source - J. Scott Kirby2020–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under Kirby, United's revenue rose from $15.4 billion in 2020 to a record $59.1 billion in 2025, with premium cabins and MileagePlus as the main growth drivers.
Source
Timeline: AbbVie and United Airlines side by side
1926United Airlines
Varney Air Lines begins
United traces its roots to Varney Air Lines and early air mail service.
1931United Airlines
United Air Lines organized
United Air Lines was formed to manage airline subsidiaries tied to United Aircraft and Transport.
1997United Airlines
Star Alliance founded
United became one of the founding members of Star Alliance.
2010United Airlines
Continental merger closes
UAL Corporation completed the Continental merger, later operating under the United brand.
2013AbbVie
AbbVie Launches as an Independent Company
AbbVie launched after Abbott Laboratories separated its research-based pharmaceutical business and began NYSE trading under ABBV.
2015AbbVie
Pharmacyclics Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of Pharmacyclics, adding Imbruvica and expanding its hematologic oncology business.
2015United Airlines
Oscar Munoz becomes CEO
Oscar Munoz became chief executive of United in September 2015.
2019AbbVie
Skyrizi Receives Initial U.S. Approval
The FDA approved Skyrizi for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in April 2019.
2019AbbVie
Rinvoq Receives Initial U.S. Approval
The FDA approved Rinvoq for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in August 2019.
2020AbbVie
Allergan Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed the Allergan acquisition, adding neuroscience, eye care, and Allergan Aesthetics products including Botox and Juvederm.
2020United Airlines
Scott Kirby becomes CEO
Scott Kirby succeeded Oscar Munoz as CEO in May 2020.
2023AbbVie
U.S. Humira Biosimilar Competition Begins
Humira began facing U.S. biosimilar competition, and AbbVie reported a subsequent decline in Humira revenue.
2024AbbVie
ImmunoGen Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of ImmunoGen, adding Elahere and antibody-drug conjugate programs.
2024AbbVie
Robert A. Michael Becomes CEO
Robert A. Michael succeeded Richard A. Gonzalez as chief executive officer effective July 1, 2024.
2024AbbVie
Cerevel Therapeutics Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics, adding clinical-stage neuroscience programs.
2025AbbVie
Robert A. Michael Becomes Chairman
Robert A. Michael added the chairman role effective July 1, 2025, when Richard A. Gonzalez retired from the board.
2025AbbVie
FY2025 Revenue Reaches $61.160 Billion
AbbVie reported FY2025 net revenue of $61.160 billion and net income of $4.226 billion.
2025United Airlines
Revenue reaches record level
United reported record 2025 total operating revenue of $59.1 billion.
2026AbbVie
Q1 2026 Revenue Reaches $15.002 Billion
AbbVie reported first-quarter 2026 net revenue of $15.002 billion, up 12.4 percent on a reported basis.
2026United Airlines
Q2 2026 revenue up 16%
United reported Q2 2026 revenue of $17.7 billion and raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $9-$11 despite nearly $6 billion in added fuel costs.
Acquisitions
AbbVie
- ImmunoGen, Inc.2024$10.1B
- Cerevel Therapeutics2024$8.7B
- Allergan plc2020$63B
- Pharmacyclics, Inc.2015$21B
Questions about AbbVie vs United Airlines
Who is the CEO of AbbVie Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
AbbVie Inc. is led by Robert A. Michael and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is led by Scott Kirby. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was AbbVie Inc. founded vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1926 — 87 years before AbbVie Inc., which was founded in 2013. United Airlines Holdings, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger AbbVie Inc..
How many employees does AbbVie Inc. have compared to United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
AbbVie Inc. employs approximately 57,000 people, while United Airlines Holdings, Inc. employs approximately 113,200. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has the larger workforce at 113,200 employees, compared to AbbVie Inc.'s 57,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are AbbVie Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. headquartered?
Both AbbVie Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded AbbVie Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
AbbVie Inc. was founded by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin). United Airlines Holdings, Inc. was founded by Walter T. Varney, William Boeing.
Which company has a longer operating history — AbbVie Inc. or United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has been operating for approximately 100 years, making it the more established of the two companies. AbbVie Inc. has been in operation for around 13 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the AbbVie vs United Airlines overview