Prime Highlights:
- United Airlines expects record earnings in 2026, driven by strong sales of premium and no-frills tickets.
- CEO Scott Kirby emphasizes the airline’s growth as more customers are choosing United.
Key Facts:
- Full-year 2025 adjusted earnings were $10.20 per share, up 8% from the previous year, with net income of $3.5 billion, a 6% increase.
- Fourth-quarter profit rose 6% to $1.04 billion, while premium revenue increased 9% for the quarter.
Background
United Airlines is off to a strong start in 2026, fueled by rising demand for both premium and no-frills tickets, the carrier said Tuesday. The airline expects to generate record earnings this year, supported by robust sales in business travel and high-end seating.
The airline forecasts adjusted earnings per share between $12 and $14 for the year, aligning with analysts’ expectations of $13.16. For the first quarter, United anticipates earnings per share of $1 to $1.50, slightly above the $1.13 analysts had projected.
United joins rival Delta Air Lines in predicting potential record profits, with the two carriers accounting for nearly all U.S. airline industry earnings during the first nine months of 2025.
Despite a 1.6% decline in unit revenue in the fourth quarter compared with last year, premium revenue climbed 9% in the quarter and 11% for the full year. Sales of basic-economy tickets, which compete with discount airlines, rose 7% in the final quarter of 2025.
The airline reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of $3.10 per share, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $2.94. Revenue matched projections at $15.4 billion, while profit for the quarter rose 6% to $1.04 billion. United Airlines reported full-year 2025 earnings of $10.20 per share, up 8% from last year, with net income of $3.5 billion, a 6% increase. CEO Scott Kirby said the airline is growing as more customers are choosing United.
The airline also noted that the longest-ever government shutdown in Q4 affected pre-tax results by $250 million. Air traffic controller shortages caused delays and temporarily slowed bookings, but demand recovered quickly, executives added.
