Altria's G600 returns to Richmond as CEO Billy Gifford prepares to retire

Altria's Gulfstream G600 landed at Richmond International Airport on the evening of May 12 after a 90-minute flight from Chicago O'Hare. The aircraft, tail number N805AG, departed KORD at 5:17 PM local time and arrived at KRIC at 6:49 PM, according to flight data.

The return to headquarters came two days before CEO Billy Gifford's retirement, which was announced in December 2025 and took effect on May 14, 2026, per an SEC filing. Gifford had led the company since 2020 and was succeeded by Sal Mancuso. The flight likely brought Gifford back to Richmond for his final days in office, as the company reported a strong first quarter with adjusted EPS up 7.3%, per the Stock Observer.

The Chicago stopover followed an earlier leg from Reno, Nevada, suggesting Gifford may have been at a personal event or industry gathering before returning to the home base. The flight pattern underscores a leadership transition at a pivotal time for Altria, as it navigates regulatory shifts and market pressures in the nicotine industry.