United Airlines. Photo: Anthony Hershko American airline veteran United Airlines released its third-quarter financial results, showing strong revenue growth and a new record in passenger numbers, despite a sharp rise in fuel costs.
The company's revenue totaled $17.9 billion, up 17.4% from the same quarter last year. This is the highest quarterly revenue in United's history.
Net profit reached about $1 billion, while profit before tax was about $1.3 billion, for a profitability rate of 7.3%.
The results were achieved despite a 62% increase in fuel expenses, totaling about $4.8 billion, amid the sharp volatility in jet fuel prices. One of the most impressive figures in the report is a new record in passenger traffic. During the third quarter, United flew 49.5 million passengers, with six of the company's ten busiest operating days so far this year recorded during this period.
On average, the company carried about 538,000 passengers daily. Along with the traffic increase, the company reported improved revenue across all areas of its operations.
Premium class revenue rose 17%, Basic Economy card revenue rose 16%, loyalty club revenue grew 17%, and air cargo revenue jumped 23%.
Revenue from business travel under commercial agreements grew by 26%, reflecting high demand from business customers.
United also continues to invest in improving the passenger experience. According to the report, more than 640 aircraft in the company's fleet are already equipped with Starlink satellite internet service, allowing passengers to enjoy fast connectivity during flights.
The company is installing the system on about three additional aircraft every day, and the service is already available on about half of its flights. The company estimates the availability rate will reach 61% by the end of 2026 and 87% by June 1, 2027, with fleet-wide deployment planned for the end of 2027. In September alone, more than 5.4 million passengers used the service.
The report also outlines United's continued international expansion. Among other things, the company plans to launch flights to new destinations in Europe and Asia in the summer of 2027, including Valencia, Ibiza, Marseille, Ljubljana, Luxembourg and Okinawa.
In addition, the company announced planned additional activity on existing international routes, including the route between San Francisco and Tel Aviv.
United expects the growth trend to continue in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The company estimates that its revenue in the last quarter will grow by more than 20% compared to the same period last year, reaching another quarterly record.
United CEO Scott Kirby emphasized that the company's continued investment in service, technology and passenger experience is helping the company expand its loyal customer base and strengthen its competitive position.
The results illustrate the continued growth of one of the world's largest airlines, even as the industry faces high fuel costs and operational and financial challenges.