United Airlines Anticipates Record Earnings in 2026 Amidst Soaring Demand
United Airlines announced impressive fourth-quarter earnings this Tuesday, alongside an optimistic forecast for 2026. The company anticipates potential record profits, driven by robust travel demand across all cabin classes. The carrier reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.10 for the fourth quarter, surpassing analyst expectations of $2.94. Revenue also hit a record high, reaching $15.4 billion.
For 2026, United predicts adjusted earnings per share to fall between $12 and $14, aligning with analyst forecasts of $13.16. This represents a growth of over 20% at the midpoint. The company’s first-quarter guidance of $1 to $1.50 per share exceeded the $1.13 analysts had projected. CEO Scott Kirby emphasized that the past two weeks have seen the highest booked revenue periods in the company’s history, with business travel demand surging into double digits.
The airline’s exceptional performance was especially evident in premium segments. Premium revenue saw a 9% increase in the fourth quarter and an 11% rise for the full year. United also highlighted its ongoing rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi service across more than 1,000 aircraft as a competitive edge. However, the company acknowledged that the longest-ever government shutdown in the fourth quarter negatively impacted pre-tax results by approximately $250 million due to air traffic controller shortages.
Source: CNBC