United Airlines reports higher-than-expected Q2 earnings but warns of $6 billion in additional fuel expenses for 2026 due to rising prices.
United Airlines posted second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.99, surpassing Wall Street estimates of $1.88, while revenue reached $17.67 billion against expectations of $17.61 billion. The carrier attributed the results to strong demand but highlighted soaring fuel costs as a major headwind.
Jet fuel prices have surged 34% in July alone, driven by geopolitical tensions, pushing United’s fuel expenses up 84% year-over-year to $2.3 billion in Q2. The airline now expects fuel costs to add nearly $6 billion to its 2026 expenses compared to initial projections, though it plans to hedge up to 90% of this quarter’s costs.
United forecast third-quarter adjusted EPS between $2.50 and $3.50, below analysts’ $3.60 estimate, and maintained its full-year guidance of $9 to $11 per share, unchanged from its April revision.