United CEO Oscar Munoz Heading Home from Hospital After Heart Transplant

United Chief Executive Oscar Munoz, who had a heart transplant on Jan. 6, said Friday that he is headed to his Chicago home from the hospital.

In a letter to employees of the Chicago-based airline, Munoz, who had been in the top job for six weeks when he was felled by a heart attack, said he feels “as strong as ever.”

He credited his medical team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

“My doctors have been impressed with my progress and foresee a quick recovery,” Munoz wrote. “I feel great, and it won’t be long before we are working side by side again.”

Meanwhile, he said he expects to participate in key meetings.

“My new heart makes me feel like I’ve been given a new set of wings,” he said.

United has said Munoz is expected to return from medical leave at the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter. He had a heart attack Oct. 15.

Munoz, 57, also noted that United received its highest customer satisfaction performance for a holiday period in more than three years.