BBC: American Express said its president, Ed Gilligan, died after becoming ill on a flight to New York.
Gilligan started his career at the company as an intern 35 years ago and became vice chairman in 2007 and president in 2013, it said in a statement.
The company did not describe the nature of his illness. American Express chief executive Ken Chenault said Gilligan’s death was “devastating news” in 
a statement.
The company said he is survived by his wife Lisa, and their four children.