Q3 diluted earnings per share were $3.14; Q3 adjusted diluted earnings per share1 were $2.54, within guidance despite a 62% increase in fuel expense

Q3 total operating revenue of $17.9 billion rose 17% year-over-year and set an all-time record; Q3 total revenue per available seat mile up 16% year-over-year, representing best quarterly unit revenue growth since the pandemic

United expects Q4 total operating revenue growth to accelerate versus Q3 and set another record with an over 20% year-over-year increase

Starlink Wi-Fi emerges as a meaningful differentiator, installed on more than 640 aircraft. Starlink is now available on about half of all United flights, including regional flights. Availability is expected to reach 61% by the end of 2026, 87% by June 1, and available fleet-wide by the end of 2027

United's newest aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR, named "Born to Explore," debuted with domestic service in September

United's operational momentum continued, posting the lowest seat cancellation rate among the three largest U.S. airlines during the quarter. United carried a record 49.5 million customers during Q3, recording six of its 10 highest-volume travel days for the year so far

CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines (UAL) today reported pre-tax earnings of $1.3 billion, with a pre-tax margin of 7.3%. Adjusted pre-tax earnings1 were $1.1 billion, with an adjusted pre-tax margin1 of 6.2%. Fuel expense was up $1.8 billion compared to third-quarter 2025 as jet fuel prices remained volatile.

"Our employees met the challenge of our ever-changing environment and our results prove the resilience of focusing on building a brand-loyal airline for customers," said United CEO Scott Kirby.

United continued to see broad-based strength across all revenue streams: compared to the third quarter of 2025, Premium revenue was up 17%, revenue from Basic Economy was up 16%, loyalty revenue was up 17% and cargo revenue was up 23%. Contracted business revenue was up 26% during the quarter compared to the third quarter of 2025, showing strong and resilient close-in demand across all industries. Economy cabin revenue grew for the third consecutive quarter, with unit revenue up 17% year-over-year.

United now offers Starlink on more than 640 aircraft, equipping approximately three more aircraft per day. United offers more daily Starlink flights now than the entire U.S. industry, further increasing United's competitive advantage. In September, more than 5.4 million United customers experienced Starlink. United expects it to be available fleet-wide by the end of 2027.

"We are winning new long-term, brand-loyal United customers because they are trying us for Starlink but staying with us for the industry-leading app, great service, on-board product and technology," Kirby said. "These advantages will persist long after the fast, low-Earth orbit Wi-Fi we are offering today becomes the industry standard. By then, United will be leading on the next innovation as we seek to sustain our lead with customers."

On September 17 United announced that travelers can now watch live professional and college football on their Starlink-enabled seatback screens, including live broadcasts from all networks that carry NFL games. Starlink is free for MileagePlus® members in every class of service.

Ongoing customer investments include the new concourse in Terminal B at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The United ClubSM in the new, three-level concourse is the largest airline club in the Americas, with seating for 800 people and an outdoor terrace. During the quarter United also unveiled modernization plans for Washington Dulles International Airport together with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the U.S. Department of Transportation, with new and expanded airport facilities expected to support more flights.

For the third quarter of 2026, United achieved its highest third-quarter customer satisfaction rate as measured by net promoter score since 2022. Customer service scores on Starlink-equipped planes were nearly double those with other Wi-Fi service, and United achieved with the best scores in company history in a third quarter for inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi experience.

On October 16, United expanded its revolving credit facility, with available liquidity rising from $3 billion previously to $5 billion under the new facility. The favorable terms in this expanded revolving credit facility demonstrate United's continued focus on strengthening its balance sheet and achieving an investment-grade credit rating.

Third-Quarter Financial Results

- Capacity up 1.3% compared to third-quarter 2025.

- Total operating revenue of $17.9 billion, up 17.4% compared to third-quarter 2025.

- TRASM up 15.9% compared to third-quarter 2025.

- CASM up 17.3%, and CASM-ex1 up 7.8%, compared to third-quarter 2025.

- Pre-tax earnings of $1.3 billion, with a pre-tax margin of 7.3%; adjusted pre-tax earnings1 of $1.1 billion, with an adjusted pre-tax margin1 of 6.2%.

- Net income of $1.0 billion; adjusted net income1 of $833 million.

- Diluted earnings per share of $3.14; adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $2.54.

- Average fuel price per gallon of $3.90.

- Ending available liquidity2 of $17.7 billion.

- Total debt, finance lease obligations and other financial liabilities of $26.4 billion at quarter end.

- Trailing twelve months net leverage1 of 2.4x.

Key Highlights

- Announced the largest-ever international network expansion with service to 10 new destinations planned to start in summer 2027, including Catania, Italy; Ibiza, Spain; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Luxembourg; Marseille, France; Okinawa, Japan; Olbia, Italy; Terceira, Portugal; Toulouse, France; and Valencia, Spain. All new routes are subject to government approval.

- Operated the largest domestic schedule in company history, serving 241 airports across the U.S. and Canada, the most of any carrier in the quarter.

- In an agreement with DISH, launched live TV streaming on aircraft with Starlink-enabled seatback screens, unlocking professional and college football viewership in the air.

- Made aviation and sports broadcast history in collaboration with Disney Advertising, with an ESPN Football Fantasy Draft livestream from a flight, powered by Starlink.

Customer Experience

- In August, United introduced 10 new, exclusive meals in United Polaris® cabins in collaboration with Chef's Table.

- Over 87% of customers used digital check-in — with the increase driven by international customers — thanks to continued enhancements such as Japanese language translations within the app.

- Awarded by Tom's Guide's for "Best of Travel" for the implementation of Starlink, which it called a "masterclass in passenger experience."

- Expanded digital travel notifications in 11 more international markets, bringing real-time trip communications to customers in 33 total markets in their preferred channels and languages.

- Worked with Aperture Cellars to blend a wine at 35,000 feet, expected to be featured on select flights in United Polaris in 2028.

- Launched Flight Finder, giving customers whose travel was disrupted more control over rebooking options and a faster path to recovery.

Operations

- Averaged approximately 538,000 daily customers during the quarter, recording six of its 10 highest-volume travel days for the year so far. United carried a record 49.5 million revenue customers during the quarter.

- Ranked among the most reliable U.S. carriers this summer, with the lowest seat cancellation rate among the three largest U.S. airlines as measured by available seat miles.

- Posted the best July on-time departure rate among the seven largest U.S. carriers despite historic weather disruptions. July was United's busiest month ever, with 18.4 million customers carried.

- Completed a four-year expansion of the Denver Flight Training Center, adding 40 flight simulators for a total of 86, and enabling training for 860 pilots daily.

- Transported more than 352 million pounds of cargo during the quarter, for the largest third quarter in company history.

Network

- Announced additional summer 2027 service on four international routes: Los Angeles-Osaka, Washington Dulles-Milan, Denver-Paris, and San Francisco-Tel Aviv.

- Resumed service from Newark to Tel Aviv in early September.

- Launched nonstop service from Newark to Seoul and four new domestic routes from Newark: Bentonville, Arkansas; Charlottesville, Virginia; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Omaha, Nebraska.

- Expanded 787-9 Elevated service from San Francisco to Zurich and Seoul, joining Singapore and London routes that were introduced in the second quarter of 2026. These premium configured aircraft features 99 total premium seats including 8 United Polaris Studio℠ suites and 56 United Polaris seats.

Employees, Communities and Investments

- Launched the "Wishes Snackbox" with Make-A-Wish, featuring original art and hand-selected snacks from Wish kids. United will donate $1 for each box sold, up to $250,000.

- Kicked off United's Season of Service, with 3,100 employees volunteering 9,000 hours at nonprofits worldwide and packing nearly 471,000 meals to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

- Contributed more than 40 million donated MileagePlus miles, including 18 million for Airlink and World Central Kitchen, to support 20 global response and recovery efforts. With partners, transported more than 200 responders and 30,000 pounds of cargo, supported 43 NGOs, reached more than 722,000 people and saved the NGO community more than $410,000.

- United and its employees raised $1.3 million for Special Olympics through the annual Plane Pull competition.

- Invested in the future aviation workforce through United's inaugural Discovery Day, in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, and annual Girls in Aviation Day.