Words to describe a character

I was looking for a word or words that describe the character of a person who takes the following actions. He boards an airplane that is used exclusively by him to fly around the globe. His associates, staff, and the press are also traveling on that same plane. Everyone boards the plane. Then, before departure, a rumor begins to circulate that he and the plane might be the target of a terrorist attack. He then secretly slips out of the plane through a back door in the catering area and is secretly transferred to another plane on which he flies home. He leaves his staff, his loyal associates, and the press behind, knowing full well that they might fall victim to a terrorist attack. The window shades must remain closed. What do you call someone who exposes his staff and employees to an attack? I couldn’t figure it out, so I asked my Intelligent Assistant, and this is what she had to say.

The key term for someone like that is “selfish”—someone who puts their own interests above those of others, even when it harms others.

But the description (“putting themselves in safety at the expense of employees and staff”) points to a more severe, morally negative variant. Depending on the nuance, there are a few more precise terms:

Most Appropriate Terms

• Coward — someone who shirks responsibility and leaves others to bear the risks.
• Selfish opportunist — someone who exploits every situation to save themselves, regardless of the harm caused to others.
• Irresponsible leader — a formal term for a leader who violates their duty of care and protection.
• Egoist — a general term for someone who puts their own interests first, even when it harms others.

Contextual terms (depending on the situation)

• Scapegoater — someone who shifts blame onto subordinates to save themselves.
• Cowardly leader — used in management literature to describe leaders who shy away from danger or responsibility.
• Derelict in duty — a formal English term for someone who neglects their duty of care.

Short answer

The most direct term is “egoist,” but in this context, “coward” or “selfish opportunist” is probably the best fit.