United Airlines Lowers Profit Forecast Amid Rising Fuel Costs

United Airlines lowered its 2026 profit forecast, projecting fourth-quarter adjusted earnings between 50 cents and $1.50 per share. This projection falls short of the $1.76 per share estimate predicted by Wall Street analysts. The company expects fuel prices to average $4.80 per gallon in the fourth quarter, a significant increase from the $3.90 average recorded in the third quarter.

For the quarter ending September 30, the carrier reported a net income of $1.03 billion, representing an 8.5% increase from the previous year. Revenue rose 17.4% to $17.88 billion. However, fuel expenses for the period climbed nearly 62% to $4.84 billion.

Passenger demand remains strong despite higher airfares, with passenger counts increasing by more than 2% over the previous year. CEO Scott Kirby attributed the company's results to the resilience of its employees and a focus on building brand loyalty among customers.