United Airlines names interim CEO after Oscar Munoz hospitalized for heart attack

New United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz had a heart attack, and United has an interim CEO

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Late Monday, United Airlines confirmed for the first time that CEO Oscar Munoz suffered a heart attack last Thursday, after just 37 days on the job, and named its general counsel, Brett J. Hart, as interim chief executive. United did not provide any other details about the health of Munoz, 56, saying only that it is "too soon to know the course of treatment and timing of recovery." Hart, 46, has been with United since 2010, after serving as general counsel at Sara Lee. "Oscar's agenda is focused on customer service, teamwork, and innovation and I, along with the executive team, will continue to move quickly to implement it," Hart said in a statement.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.