United Airlines has reported a third-quarter profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations. The company posted pre-tax earnings of $1.3 billion, with a pre-tax margin of 8.2 percent, and adjusted pre-tax earnings of $1.2 billion, with an adjusted pre-tax margin of 8.0 percent. Diluted earnings per share came in at $2.90, while adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.78, surpassing guidance of $2.25 to $2.75. Total operating revenue rose 2.6 percent year-over-year to $15.2 billion.
The carrier anticipates a strong fourth-quarter performance, with earnings of $3 to $3.50 per share, exceeding analysts’ estimate of $2.86.
These financial results show how the airline has thrived in an economically volatile year thanks to brand-loyal customers who choose to fly United because of the value in the United experience. United continued to benefit from diverse revenue sources during the quarter. In the third quarter, premium cabin revenue rose 6 percent year-over-year; revenue from Basic Economy rose 4 percent year-over-year; cargo revenue rose 3 percent year-over-year and loyalty revenue rose 9 percent year-over-year. This great momentum has continued so far in the fourth quarter and we expect the fourth quarter of 2025 to have the highest total operating revenue for a single quarter in company history.
“We’ve invested in customers at every price point: Seatback screens, an industry-leading mobile app, extra legroom, a lie-flat United Polaris seat, and fast, free, reliable Starlink on every plane by 2027. Our customers value the United experience, making them increasingly loyal to United,” CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. “Those investments over almost a decade, combined with great service from our people, have allowed United to win and retain brand-loyal customers, leading to economic resilience even with macro economic volatility through the first three quarters of the year and significant upside as the economy and demand are improving in the fourth quarter.”
United continues to make significant investments in winning brand-loyal customers, including more than $1 billion planned on enhancements including Starlink installations, seatback screens, and 25 percent more on food. Over half of the United narrowbody fleet now has its signature interior and seatback screens, leading to a 15-point increase in customer satisfaction with the inflight entertainment system since third quarter 2022. United plans to invest an additional $1 billion in the customer experience in 2026.
United’s reliable operation is also benefiting customers and building brand loyalty. United had its highest third-quarter completion factor, carried more than 48 million customers, the most-ever during a quarter, and flew its largest daily mainline schedule with 2,940 daily flights carrying more than 427,000 passengers a day. Six of United’s seven hubs ranked first or second for on-time departures. Reliability continues to be a focus—customers who arrive on time are more than three times as likely to recommend United as compared to customers whose flights are delayed.
United’s network strength is another reason it is winning customer preference. Last week it announced summer 2026 flights to Split, Croatia; Glasgow, Scotland; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; and Bari, Italy, while also bringing back all six new Atlantic destinations from its summer 2025 international expansion. United is the largest carrier across the Atlantic, with service to 46 cities planned for 2026.
“Customers are increasingly choosing an airline that can deliver value for them across the full travel experience, from Basic Economy to United Polaris,” Kirby said. “We are well-positioned to be the airline those brand-loyal customers choose to fly them across the U.S. and around the world.”
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