United Airlines affords upbeat outlook on premium‑journey demand, loyalty power

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  • United forecasts greater Q1 revenue than analysts’ estimates
  • Airline reviews document passenger income and ticket gross sales in early January
  • Shares rise 4.2% in after-hours buying and selling
CHICAGO, Jan 20 (Reuters) – United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab on Tuesday issued an upbeat outlook for the present quarter and the complete yr, ‌buoyed by robust demand from higher-income and company vacationers.

The Chicago-based provider additionally exceeded revenue expectations for the December quarter.

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United’s earnings report underscores how U.S. airways are more and more counting on premium cabins, company journey and loyalty applications to drive revenue progress, at the same time as competitors and softer demand from price-sensitive vacationers strain economy-class fares.

The shift has helped carriers stabilize income, offset greater prices and justify continued funding ‌in plane and cabin upgrades geared toward higher-yield passengers.

“Our results are built on winning more ​and more brand-loyal customers,” United CEO Scott Kirby mentioned in a press release.

United mentioned premium income rose 9% within the December quarter from a yr earlier, whereas loyalty income elevated 10%.

Rival Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), opens new tab mentioned final week that premium-cabin income surpassed main-cabin ‍income for the primary time within the fourth quarter, as progress in higher-end seating greater than offset declines within the economic system cabin. The Atlanta-based provider has mentioned practically all of its near-term seat progress will come from premium cabins.
By distinction, low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers, which rely ⁠closely on price-sensitive vacationers, have struggled with weak profitability and extra capability, prompting consolidation and retrenchment. Allegiant (ALGT.O), opens new tab has introduced plans to ‍purchase Sun Country Airlines (SNCY.O), opens new tab, ⁠whereas Spirit Airlines has entered a second chapter.
United’s shares had been up about 4.2% in after-hours buying and selling. American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab, which is due ‌to ‌report earnings subsequent week and has ramped up funding in its premium choices, was up 1%.

RECORD REVENUE AT UNITED

United mentioned that regardless of taking a roughly $250 million hit to pre-tax earnings within the December quarter, it nonetheless posted its highest-revenue quarter on document and earned extra income per seat than in every other quarter of the yr.

That momentum has carried into 2026, the ⁠airline mentioned, with the week ending ⁠January 4 delivering the ​highest passenger income from flown tickets in its historical past, adopted by a document week for ticket gross sales and business-travel bookings.

United mentioned it expects to obtain greater than 100 narrowbody jets and about 20 Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab 787 widebody planes this yr, giving it the pliability so as to add ‍flights and increase its community. It additionally plans upgrades at its Washington Dulles and Houston hubs.

The provider forecast first-quarter adjusted revenue of $1 to $1.50 per share. The midpoint of the vary, $1.25, is above analysts’ common estimate of $1.13, in keeping with LSEG information.

For 2026, United projected adjusted earnings of $12 to $14 ​per share, in contrast with analysts’ common estimate of $13.16 a share.

Its adjusted earnings ‍for the fourth quarter got here in at $3.10 per share, topping analysts’ estimate of $2.94. Total income rose 4.8% to $15.4 billion.

The firm will focus on its monetary outcomes ​on a name with analysts and traders on Wednesday morning.

Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Rod Nickel and Jamie Freed

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