United Airlines has reported a third-quarter profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations, supported by rising passenger demand, record cargo volumes, and continued investment in customer experience.
The airline posted pre-tax earnings of $1.3bn (£1.03bn), with a pre-tax margin of 8.2%. Adjusted pre-tax earnings totalled $1.2bn, while total operating revenue grew 2.6% year on year to $15.2bn. Diluted earnings per share reached $2.90, above its guidance range of $2.25 to $2.75.
Scott Kirby, Chief executive, said United’s performance reflected its ability to attract “brand-loyal customers” through investments across all cabin classes, including seatback entertainment screens, extra legroom and its premium Polaris business class.
“Those investments, combined with great service from our people, have allowed United to retain loyal customers and remain resilient through economic volatility,” he said.
The airline’s diverse revenue streams helped offset cost pressures. Premium cabin sales rose 6% year on year, Basic Economy revenue increased 4%, cargo revenue climbed 3%, and loyalty programme income jumped 9%. United expects the fourth quarter of 2025 to deliver the highest quarterly revenue in its history.
United carried more than 48 million passengers during the quarter, operating 2,940 daily mainline flights — the largest schedule in its history. The carrier also achieved its highest third-quarter completion rate and said six of its seven hubs ranked first or second for on-time departures.
Cargo operations reached a new record, transporting 9.5 million pounds of medical shipments and 262,000 pounds of military freight, alongside humanitarian aid deliveries to disaster zones through its Airlink partnership.
United also announced several new routes for summer 2026, including Split, Glasgow, Santiago de Compostela and Bari, and confirmed it will resume flights to Tel Aviv from Chicago and Washington Dulles in November.
The airline continues to invest heavily in customer experience, pledging over $1bn on upgrades including faster in-flight connectivity via Starlink, enhanced catering, and new United Club lounges. More than half of its narrowbody fleet now features the airline’s signature interiors.
