United Airlines, Like Delta, Just Saw A Week With Record Ticket Sales

Like Delta a week ago, United Airlines reported strong fourth quarter results and provided optimistic guidance. Both beat analyst estimates. United released earnings after the market closed on Tuesday.

Speaking on CNBC on Tuesday afternoon, United CEO Scott Kirby said, “As we enter 2026, there is really cause for optimism. Demand is really strong. Business demand is up well into the double digits. Demand is off to a really good start.”

He noted that in 2026 United will take delivery of 20 widebody aircraft, the most widebodies taken by a U.S. airline in a single year since 1988.

Asked about the potential impact of tariff wars, Kirby responded, “These things tend to have a pretty short impact in the booking window.”

And while the three U.S. global carriers are focused on premium customers (United said premium revenue was up 9% for the fourth quarter and 11% for the full year), Kirby said main cabin is also doing well and noted that United is “the only airline with ovens in coach” and that passengers can order hot meals in advance. “Our main cabin is not doing as well as premium, but it’s doing pretty well,” he said.

In its earnings press release, United said, “Strong revenue momentum has continued into 2026. The week ending January 4th was the highest flown revenue week in United history, and the week ending January 11th was the highest ticketing week and the highest week for business sales in United history.”

On the Delta earnings call on Jan. 13, CEO Ed Bastian said, “Turning to our outlook, the year is off to a strong start. Last week, we set a new record for bookings with cash sales up double-digits on top of the strength that we saw last year.”

For United, of course, the focus is on catching up with industry leader Delta in financial metrics. The two carriers will likely account for 100% of airline industry profits in 2025.

In the fourth quarter, United reported operating revenue of $15.4%, up 4.8% from the same period a year earlier. Net income was $1.04 billion, compared with $985 million. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $3.10. Analysts had forecast $2.94.

Delta reported fourth quarter adjusted revenue of $16 billion, up 3%. Adjusted net income was $1.2 billion, up from $843 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Delta said its pre-tax margin was 9.5%, while United said its adjusted pre-tax margin was 8.5%. Delta reported that the impact from the government shutdown was $200 million, while United put its number at $250 million.

As usual, the big question in the airline industry continues to be whether American Airlines made progress as it struggles to catch up with competitors. American will report earnings on Tuesday Jan. 27^th.