United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz was in a reflective mood in New York City, where he delivered the keynote address at the Wings Club, a nonprofit aviation forum for industry leaders to share ideas and collaborate on issues.

For Munoz, the occasion Thursday was also an opportunity to reflect on his nearly two years at the helm of Chicago-based United, the No. 1 airline at Denver International Airport.

As anyone who has been following United’s history, these weren’t the easiest of times to be in charge…