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United Airlines slashes 2026 profit outlook on fuel prices, but travelers keep booking despite higher fares

Tuesday 20 October21:03 · 2h agoAI summary
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United Airlines cut its 2026 profit forecast due to rising fuel costs, though passenger demand remains strong and bookings continue to increase.

01Summary

  1. 01United Airlines expects fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of 50 cents to $1.50 a share, below the $1.76 analysts expected.
  2. 02Full-year 2026 adjusted earnings are now forecast at no more than $7.22 per share, down from a previous forecast of $9 to $11 a share.
  3. 03The carrier expects to pay $4.80 a gallon for fuel in the fourth quarter, up from $3.90 in the third quarter.
  4. 04Third-quarter net income rose 8.5% to $1.03 billion, with revenue up 17.4% to $17.88 billion.
  5. 05Passenger counts rose more than 2% year-on-year, with domestic and international unit revenue up 14.5% and 17.4% respectively.

02Why it matters

Higher fuel costs are squeezing airline profits and driving up airfares, which could affect travel costs for consumers despite continued strong demand.

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