United Airlines sees 2026 profit at high end of forecast

Strong travel demand and higher fares help offset a renewed surge in fuel costs

United Airlines UAL-Q said on Wednesday it expected full-year profit at the high end of its previous forecast as strong travel demand and higher fares help offset a renewed surge in fuel costs, even as its third-quarter earnings outlook fell short of Wall Street expectations. The Chicago-based carrier now expects 2026 adjusted earnings per share at the high end of its previous range of US$9 to US$11, even as it forecasts its fuel bill will be about US$6 billion higher than it expected at the start of the year. The top end of the range is about 5 per cent above the US$10.46 per share expected by analysts surveyed by LSEG.

For the third quarter, United forecast adjusted earnings of US$2.50 to US$3.50 per share and an average fuel price of US$3.69 per gallon. The US$3 midpoint compares with analysts’ average estimate of US$3.60 a share, according to LSEG.