United Airlines cuts 2026 profit outlook as jet fuel costs climb
The gist
United Airlines forecast fourth-quarter earnings of 50 cents to $1.50 a share, below the $1.76 analysts expected.
Rising fuel costs are squeezing airline profits even as ticket prices climb.
How it unfolded
- Oct 20, 2026United reports third-quarter net income of $1.03 billion, or $3.14 a share, up from $949 million a year earlier, on revenue of $17.88 billion, up 17.4%.
- Oct 20, 2026United forecasts fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of 50 cents to $1.50 a share, versus an LSEG analyst estimate of $1.76; the $1 midpoint is 43% below expectations.
- Oct 20, 2026United says its third-quarter adjusted pretax margin narrowed to 6.2% from 8%, with extra fuel spending equal to nearly 70% of the increase in quarterly revenue, and expects to pay $4.80 a gallon for jet fuel in the fourth quarter.