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Tags: Southwest CEO Gary Kelly | COVID-19 | vaccine | booster

Southwest CEO Tests Positive for COVID-19 After Senate Hearing

Gary Kelly
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly (right) and American Airlines CEO Doug Parker testify before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (AP)

Friday, 17 December 2021 02:34 PM EST

Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly tested positive for COVID-19 after appearing at a U.S. Senate hearing on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to Reuters.

Kelly appeared at the Senate Commerce hearing with the CEOs of United Airlines and American Airlines as well as a senior Delta Air Lines executive and the head of a flight attendants union. Kelly drew attention at the hearing for questioning the health benefits of masks on airplanes.

The other airlines did not immediately comment on whether their executives had tested for COVID-19.

Southwest said that "although testing negative multiple times prior to the Senate Commerce Committee Hearing, Gary tested positive for COVID-19 after returning home, experiencing mild symptoms, and taking a PCR test."

Has 3 Shots, Resting at Home

The airline added that Kelly "is doing well and currently resting at home, he has been fully vaccinated and received the booster earlier this year. Gary's symptoms continue to be mild, and each day he is moving closer to a full recovery."

Kelly is set to step down next year as chief executive.

Southwest confirmed Kelly's positive test after Reuters learned of it through other officials. Kelly did not wear a mask for parts of the hearing and questioned the health benefit of masks on airplanes.

"I think the case is very strong that masks don't add much if anything in the air cabin environment -- it's very safe, very high quality compared to any other indoor setting," Kelly said.

Kelly told other airlines of the positive test on Thursday.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for the Senate Commerce Committee alerted reporters who had been at the hearing of a positive test of someone who had been at the hearing but did not disclose the identity.

© 2025 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.


StreetTalk
Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly tested positive for COVID-19 after appearing at a U.S. Senate hearing on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to Reuters.
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly, COVID-19, vaccine, booster
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2021-34-17
Friday, 17 December 2021 02:34 PM
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