Investors were bracing themselves for what airlines like Delta Air Lines (DAL -0.69%) and United Airlines (UAL -0.17%) might report for the second quarter in light of the surge in jet fuel prices. However, although rising fuel costs are definitely having an impact on both airlines, Delta affirmed its forecast, and United Airlines actually increased its earnings outlook. Does this make both airline stocks a buy?
Rising jet fuel costs It's no secret that hostilities in the Middle East led to sharply higher crude oil prices throughout the second quarter. The shortage of crude oil and jet fuel flowing through the Strait of Hormuz not only increased crude oil prices but also sent jet fuel crack spreads soaring. The end result was a major increase in jet fuel costs for airlines in the quarter.
Image source: Getty Images.
As you can see below, the overwhelming majority of the increase in operating expenses in the second quarter was due to higher fuel costs, and in both cases, year-over-year operating income deteriorated.
Year-over-Year Change Operating Revenue Change
Fuel Cost Change
Total Operating Expenses Change
Operating Income Change
United Airlines
$2,436 million
$2,335 million
$2,665 million
($229 million)
Delta Air Lines*
$2,159 million
$1,913 million
$2,659 million
($501 million)
Data source: Company presentations. *Adjusted figures
Both stocks look like excellent values Rising fuel costs do matter, and both companies' management teams told the market they plan for significantly increased fuel costs in 2026.
Today's Change
(
-0.69
%) $
-0.59
Current Price
$
84.05
Delta Air Lines expects its fuel costs to increase by $4 billion in 2026 compared to 2025, and United Airlines expects its fuel costs to be $6 billion higher than its original estimate going into the year.
Today's Change
(
-0.17
%) $
-0.20
Current Price
$
117.50
However, before getting despondent over rising fuel costs eating into profitability, it's important to note a few things:
Both companies are demonstrating the ability to offset rising costs by raising prices, cutting unprofitable capacity where necessary, and leaning into their premium cabin offerings, including pricing and other services. Although crude oil and jet fuel prices rose in the second quarter, it's far from clear that they will remain at the same elevated level. Even though rising costs reduced earnings for both airlines, they remain highly profitable, and both companies provided outlooks that placed their stocks firmly in value territory. Fleshing out the last point, Delta Air Lines continues to expect full-year earnings per share (EPS) of $6.50 to $7.50, and United Airlines actually raised its full-year EPS estimate range to $9 to $11 from a previous range of $7 to $11.
To put these figures into context, here's what these guidance ranges mean in terms of valuation based on their price-to-earning (P/E) ratios:
Company
2026 Price to Earnings at Low End of EPS Range
2026 Price to Earnings at High End of EPS Range
United Airlines
12.9 times
10.6 times
Delta Air Lines
13 times
11.3 times
Data source: Company presentations. The author's analysis is based on prices on July 17.
In other words, you are going to have to believe that both companies will miss the low end of their projections for them not to look like a good value based on 2026 earnings estimates. Moreover, note that the forecasts already have significantly higher fuel costs baked in.
Are they a buy? In the end, the debate over the stocks comes down to the core question of whether the airline industry is still the same old cyclical industry characterized by violent boom-and-bust periods. If you believe it is, then a low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio won't appease you, because many fortunes have been lost buying cyclical stocks at low P/Es just as their earnings peaked and then collapsed.
However, if you share my belief that Delta and United have diversified their revenue streams away from overreliance on main cabin ticketing and toward premium cabin ticketing, auxiliary services, co-branded credit card remuneration, and loyalty programs, then there's a strong case for buying their stocks. Not least because they are being stress-tested right now by rising fuel costs and appear to be handling a difficult scenario well enough to at least maintain their forecasts.
Odborový svaz zastupující více než 11 000 mechaniků a dalších zaměstnanců United Airlines uzavřel po dvou letech vyjednávání předběžnou dohodu o nové smlouvě. Dohoda počítá s podpisovým bonusem 5 000 USD na člena a rychlejším růstem mezd.
A United Airlines flight lands in front of the U.S. Capitol at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesJuly 21 (Reuters) - A union representing over 11,000 mechanics and other employees at United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab secured an in-principle agreement for a new contract following two years of bargaining, it said on Tuesday.
Jumpstart your morning with the latest legal news delivered straight to your inbox from The Daily Docket newsletter. Sign up here.
The new contract agreed by the Teamsters United Airlines union will provide a $5,000 signing-on bonus per member, totaling $54 million.
The union said it "fully recommends ratification of this agreement."
The contract promises "industry-leading wage increases" and brings down "wage progression to top-of-scale pay" to five years, from the current eight-year period.
Union members will have the opportunity to review the full contract and vote for ratification once the details and language of the contract are finalised.
Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Delta i United zvládly vyšší ceny leteckého paliva, ale Delta má lepší ochranu marží díky rafinerii Monroe Energy. United naopak spoléhá hlavně na likviditu a očekává téměř 6 miliard USD dodatečných nákladů na palivo v roce 2026.
Airline stocks’ sensitivity to jet fuel prices is tested whenever fuel spikes. In 2026, fuel costs are testing every airline's balance sheet. This quarter, both Delta Air Lines NYSE: DAL and United Airlines NYSE: UAL passed the test on paper. But they passed it in very different ways—and the difference matters more than the headline numbers.
Delta's adjusted fuel price rose to $3.93 a gallon, up 75% year over year. United's was worse: $4.19 a gallon, up nearly 80%. Neither number is small. United took a significant year-over-year hit to adjusted earnings per share (EPS) and now expects almost $6 billion in incremental fuel expense for full-year 2026, up from its original budget.
Get Delta Air Lines alerts:
That's real data that investors shouldn’t dismiss as quarterly noise. The question becomes which airline has the structural tools to keep passing that cost through to ticket prices without losing the traveler?
How Higher Jet Fuel Costs Are Impacting Delta and UnitedAs noted above, United's adjusted EPS fell 48.6% year-over-year, from $3.87 to $1.99. Delta's adjusted EPS fell 26%, from $2.12 to $1.56. The same pattern was evident in margin compression. United's adjusted pre-tax margin fell just over six points, from 11% to 4.8%. Delta fell four points, from 11.7% to 7.7%. Delta's earnings base shrank by a smaller proportion, even though both carriers faced comparable fuel inflation.
To be fair, not all of the weakness in United’s EPS and margin numbers was due to fuel costs. The company absorbed $184 million in one-time labor contract charges this quarter, versus $561 million a year ago.
Delta's Fuel Hedging Strategy Vs. United's Liquidity ApproachAt the crux of the "built for higher fuel costs" question is the strategy of fuel hedging. Most U.S. major airlines walked away from large-scale fuel hedging years ago. Unlike European carriers such as Air France-KLM OTCMKTS: AFLYY or Ryanair NASDAQ: RYAAY, which routinely lock in 70%–90% of fuel needs through derivative contracts extending a year or more out, U.S. legacy carriers have largely stopped using the strategy.
Delta Air Lines Today
DAL
Delta Air Lines
$84.15 -2.55 (-2.94%)
As of 07/17/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$50.44▼
$95.68Dividend Yield1.02%
P/E Ratio13.96
Price Target$100.40
Industry reporting has pegged the impact of that exposure, and it explains the problem well. A 1-cent move in jet fuel can cost a major U.S. carrier roughly $50 million a year, with no derivative book absorbing the blow.
Delta is the partial exception because it owns Monroe Energy, a Trainer, Pennsylvania refinery that supplies a meaningful share of its jet fuel needs. Third-party refinery sales hit $2.09 billion this quarter, up 83% year-over-year, and Delta credits the refinery with an 11-cents-per-gallon benefit this quarter (including a 5-cent hit from a temporary outage).
Delta's earnings report showed $301 million in mark-to-market hedge adjustments and settlements this quarter alone. That's not the 80%+ coverage ratios you see at Ryanair or Air France-KLM, but it's meaningfully more structural protection than a pure spot-market buyer.
United Airlines Today
UAL
United Airlines
$115.41 -3.40 (-2.86%)
As of 07/17/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
52-Week Range$82.42▼
$138.77P/E Ratio10.80
Price Target$154.26
United's approach is based on liquidity.
Management raised $3.7 billion in new liquidity through private bank transactions this quarter, explicitly described as "low-cost insurance" against a further oil spike.
Per sources, United has also secured select fuel supply contracts that limit some exposure—But these reportedly fall well short of the large-scale, derivative-based hedging programs that European carriers or Delta's refinery model provide.
Can Delta and United Pass Higher Fuel Costs to Travelers?Rising jet fuel costs only matter if passengers aren’t willing to pay. So far, that hasn’t been the case. United grew capacity 3.5% year-over-year while still pushing adjusted unit revenue (TRASM) up 12.1%. Delta grew capacity roughly 1% while pushing TRASM up 12.4%.
Delta is generating comparable unit-revenue growth on a fraction of United's capacity growth—a tighter, lower-risk version of the same pricing story. United is growing into demand harder, which raises the ceiling if travel stays strong, and the downside if it doesn't.
Why Travel Demand Remains Strong Despite Higher AirfaresBoth United and Delta cited increases in premium and economy/main-cabin demand. United's Basic Economy revenue rose 11%, and its overall economy-cabin unit revenue rose 12%. That was the airline’s second consecutive quarter of positive economy growth after a long soft patch. Delta's main cabin ticket revenue rose 8%, also its second straight quarter of positive main-cabin growth, while premium ticket revenue rose 17%.
At first glance, that pattern looks contradictory. The broader travel narrative through 2025 and into 2026 has been a "K-shaped" split: strong premium demand alongside a documented pullback in budget-conscious leisure travel, with ultra-low-cost carriers absorbing the brunt of that softness. If the price-sensitive traveler is genuinely pulling back across the industry, why are Delta and United both showing their cheapest cabins turning positive at the same time?
It may come down to a share shift rather than a demand surge. Neither Delta nor United built its brand around the price-sensitive flyer, but both have spent recent years building lower-tier fare products. United’s Basic Economy and Delta's comparable main-cabin fares are designed to compete for that traveler when needed.
As ultra-low-cost carriers cut capacity or struggle with their own economics, some of that traffic doesn't vanish. It shifts, "below the line," to a legacy carrier's cheapest available seat. That would reconcile positive economy-cabin growth at Delta and United with a well-documented pullback at the dedicated budget carriers.
Which Airline Is Better Positioned for Higher Fuel Costs?Warren Buffett has been one of the most outspoken critics of airline stocks. Buffett’s argument comes down to high operating costs outweighing travel demand, which can be fickle. But every rule has occasional exceptions. In 2026, the airline industry is having a moment where, for now, math is working in its favor.
That doesn’t mean this time is different. It just means that there’s an opportunity for growth despite higher jet fuel prices. That is, as long as travelers are willing to absorb the higher costs.
If stock price growth is the only consideration, both UAL and DAL are attractive targets. In fact, an argument could be made that United has more short-term upside. But for an investor looking for long-term growth, Delta’s hedging strategy should do a better job of protecting its margins. Plus, DAL's dividend increased about 15% (from $0.1875 to $0.2150 per share), and will be paid on July 30, 2026, to shareholders of record as of July 9.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Delta Air Lines Right Now?Before you consider Delta Air Lines, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Delta Air Lines wasn't on the list.
While Delta Air Lines currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
The AI boom extends far beyond the biggest tech names. Discover 10 companies supplying the memory, storage, networking, semiconductor manufacturing, and power infrastructure that make AI possible. Learn where the next wave of AI investment opportunities may emerge—and the key risks investors should watch as the global AI buildout accelerates.
Delta i United Airlines ve 2. čtvrtletí překonaly odhady zisku na akcii, a to i přes vyšší náklady na palivo. United navíc zvýšila celoroční výhled upraveného EPS na 9,00–11,00 USD.
Delta Air Lines (DAL - Free Report) ) and United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) ) have both delivered better-than-expected Q2 results, demonstrating that demand for premium, international, and corporate travel remains resilient despite significantly higher fuel costs.
Both carriers exceeded Wall Street's earnings expectations and expressed confidence in the second half of the year. However, they took slightly different approaches to guidance.
Delta reaffirmed its full-year outlook despite the challenging fuel environment, while United became even more optimistic by raising its earnings forecast.
For those looking to capitalize on the continued strength in the airline industry, the question is whether Delta's operational consistency or United's accelerating earnings momentum makes for the better investment.
Delta Delivered Another Strong QuarterLast Friday, Delta reported Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.56, topping expectations of $1.51 despite an expected dip from last year's record Q2 profit of $2.10 per share.
This came on a quarterly peak in revenue at $17.66 billion, which increased 14% year over year but slightly missed estimates of $17.76 billion. Premium travel, corporate demand, and international routes remained key growth drivers.
The quarter was particularly impressive considering Delta absorbed the highest quarterly fuel expense in company history, with fuel costs surging roughly 77% from a year ago due to higher oil prices. Despite the headwind, Delta generated approximately $1.4 billion in adjusted pre-tax income while maintaining an industry-leading balance sheet.
Perhaps most encouraging was management's outlook. Delta reaffirmed its full-year adjusted EPS guidance range of $6.50-$7.50 while maintaining expectations for $3 billion-$4 billion in free cash flow.
Management also projected continued momentum during the September quarter, expecting double-digit operating margins as premium demand remains healthy. Delta further rewarded shareholders by announcing a 15% dividend increase.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
United Raises the BarReporting Q2 results this week, United Airlines posted the more bullish earnings report.
Adjusted EPS reached $1.99, comfortably ahead of expectations of $1.92 despite a dip from a quarterly peak of $3.87 per share a year ago. Still, United posted a new record in quarterly revenue as well, at $17.67 billion, which was up 16% YoY but very narrowly missed estimates.
Strong growth across premium cabins, loyalty programs, cargo operations, and international travel helped offset sharply higher fuel expenses. The company highlighted record passenger volumes while continuing to expand its global network and premium offerings.
Most impressive, United raised the low end of its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $9.00-$11.00, up from its prior outlook of $7.00-$11.00.
Notably, United acknowledged that fuel prices remain volatile but believes stronger pricing and revenue trends should allow the airline to recover most of those higher costs over the remainder of the year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stock Performance & Valuation Comparison (P/E)Delighting investors is that both stocks have impressively outperformed the benchmark S&P 500 in the last three years and even the Nasdaq, although United’s gains of more than 120% have noticeably topped Delta’s 85%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Despite their strong rallies, both airlines continue to trade at valuations that offer steep discounts to the broader market.
United typically commands the lower forward earnings multiple, reflecting its more cyclical earnings profile and greater sensitivity to economic conditions.
Delta generally trades at a modest premium to United because investors have historically assigned higher multiples to its stronger balance sheet, more consistent profitability, premium revenue mix, and industry-leading operational execution.
Still, after a very extensive rally and more explosive earnings growth, United stock certainly stands out with a forward P/E of 11X compared to Delta’s 13X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Delta’s Dividend Levels The Playing FieldIncome investors have a clear favorite.
Delta currently pays a dividend yielding roughly 1%, and management reinforced its confidence in future cash generation by announcing the 15% dividend increase following its Q2 report.
United, meanwhile, does not currently pay a dividend, choosing to prioritize debt reduction, aircraft investments, and strengthening its balance sheet following the pandemic.
While United may offer greater earnings leverage during favorable airline cycles, Delta remains the more appealing option for investors seeking a combination of capital appreciation and residual income.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Bottom LineDelta and United delivered impressive Q2 reports that reinforced the strength of the airline industry's recovery despite elevated fuel costs.
For investors seeking a steadier long-term compounder with a dividend, industry-leading margins, and more predictable cash flows, Delta Air Lines appears to be the more balanced investment.
Those with a higher risk tolerance looking for stronger earnings acceleration may prefer United Airlines, particularly after management raised its full-year profit outlook.
That said, both stocks currently land a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), although United is likely to reattain a buy rating as earnings estimate revisions should move higher in the coming weeks.
United Airlines ve druhém čtvrtletí oznámila silnou poptávku i přes vyšší ceny letenek. TRASM vzrostl meziročně o 12,1 % a firma přepravila přes 640 000 zákazníků za jeden den.
United Airlines saw strong demand from travelers in the second quarter despite higher ticket prices caused by surges in the price of fuel, executives said Thursday (July 16) during an earnings call.
“In the quarter, United carried 10 of our highest passenger days in company history, with the highest being over 640,000 customers carried on June 18,” United Airlines President Brett J. Hart said during the call.
Mike Leskinen, executive vice president and chief financial officer at United, said during the call: “United has not seen a measurable demand impact based on the higher fares. In fact, if you zoom out to consider price inflation for travel over the last 10 and 20 years, airfare stands out as a tremendous value. Our customers increasingly desire a better travel experience, and we believe they will continue to pay reasonable prices for it.”
The airline saw growing demand across categories. The total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) was up 12.1% year over year, indicating strong demand for its products, Andrew Nocella, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at United Airlines, said during the call.
“We observed minimal to no impact on demand from higher price points, a trend we see continuing,” Nocella said.
In terms of passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM), domestic was up 12.2% year over year and international was up 12.0%, according to a Thursday news release.
PRASM was up 11.6% year over year in the premium category and 11.5% in the main cabin, Nocella said during the call.
“This is the second quarter in a row where we’ve seen main cabin PRASMs positive after years of below-average performance at an industry level.”
Contracted business revenues were up 27% year over year, with the technology, financial services and professional services sectors leading the way, Nocella said.
“These same positive business demand trends continued into early July and we expect to continue for the remainder of the year,” Nocella said.
Overall, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said during the call, “Demand remains robust as we expect both 3Q and 4Q TRASM to grow faster than 2Q’s 12%.”
United Airlines překonala odhady za 2. čtvrtletí, ale vyšší ceny paliva mohou letos přidat téměř 6 miliard USD k nákladům. Upravený EPS byl 1,99 USD a tržby činily 17,67 miliardy USD.
United Airlines' second-quarter results came in ahead of Wall Street estimates, but billions of dollars in added fuel costs continue to weigh on earnings, the carrier said Wednesday.
Here is what United Airlines reported for the quarter that ended June 30 compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on estimates compiled by LSEG:
Earnings per share: $1.99 adjusted vs. $1.88 expectedRevenue: $17.67 billion vs. $17.61 billion expectedUnited forecast third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of between $2.50 and $3.50, compared with analysts' estimates for $3.60 a share. It estimated full-year adjusted earnings per share of between $9 and $11, the higher end of the range of the adjusted $7 to $11 a share it forecast in April, when it cut its January forecast after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February.
According to Argus data published by industry group Airlines for America, jet fuel prices at major U.S. airports are up 34% in July alone through Tuesday amid a roller coaster of escalating and deescalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Jet fuel is the largest cost for airlines after labor.
United said the higher fuel prices could add nearly $6 billion to its expenses this year compared with what it expected at the start of 2026, and that its second-quarter fuel costs rose 84% from last year to $2.3 billion. Those estimates were made based on Tuesday's fuel prices. It said it would cover up to as much as 90% of its higher costs this quarter and all of it in the fourth quarter.
Rival Delta Air Lines also said it is passing on more of those higher costs to flyers. The airlines said demand has remained strong despite higher fares.
United said it is updating its forecast to include the most recent fuel prices because costs have been so volatile. Since the beginning of July, fuel prices have hit adjusted earnings for the third quarter by $1.12 per share, it said.
The carrier could further cut its capacity plans because of higher fuel costs this year, it said in a filing.
United expanded flying 3.5% second quarter. Its revenue rose 16% from a year earlier to $17.67 billion, with total unit revenue up 12.1% in the second quarter from last year. That was the highest unit revenue growth since early 2023, according to FactSet.
The airline reported higher revenue for premium, corporate and no-frills basic economy tickets, as well as rising unit revenue for both domestic and international trips.
Net income fell more than 17% to $805 million, or $2.46 a share. Adjusting for one-time items United reported $649 million, or $1.99 a share on an adjusted basis.
United executives will hold an earnings call Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Read more CNBC airline newsDelta launches ‘basic business’ fares without lounge access, seat selectionRecord heat, crowds drive offseason boom in international travelDelta expects higher airfare to last, bringing 2026 profit goal in reach'Bring 'em on': Delta wants United's crown over the Pacific, tooSpirit's collapse, high fuel prices test limits of summer vacation spendingMeet the pilots flying Spirit Airlines' yellow jets to the desert
United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL, XETRA:UAL1) will report second-quarter earnings after the market close on Wednesday, with investors focused on how the carrier is managing rising fuel costs against resilient travel demand.
UBS analysts said the bar for second-quarter earnings per share sits at $1.85 to $1.90, well above the midpoint of United's own $1 to $2 guidance.
UBS forecasts EPS of $1.91, ahead of the $1.86 consensus, on 3% capacity growth, a 12.8% rise in unit revenue, unit costs excluding fuel up 7%, and fuel at $4.25 per gallon.
Fuel will be a key focus. United typically updates fuel guidance the Friday before earnings, but a sharp jump in jet fuel prices has made the outlook harder to pin down. Gulf Coast jet fuel was trading near $3.60 per gallon and West Coast jet fuel near $3.90, UBS said, and the market will likely benchmark United's assumption against $3.30 to $3.40 per gallon.
Consensus for third-quarter EPS guidance sits at $3 to $4; a higher fuel assumption would push that lower. UBS said the most important signal will be management's confidence in recovering nearly all of the recent fuel spike by the fourth quarter.
For full-year 2026, most investors expect EPS guidance of $9 to $11, above the current $7 to $11 range, though the outlook remains fuel-dependent. UBS said the key metrics to watch will be United's fourth-quarter capacity outlook and its implied fourth-quarter revenue growth.
United Airlines začne nabízet místo s prázdným prostředním sedadlem na některých letounech Airbus A321XLR. Má jít o další upsell pro cestující v sekci s větším prostorem pro nohy.
United Airlines has a new way to entice customers to pay more on board: no middle seat neighbor.
The carrier said Tuesday that one of the rows on its Airbus A321XLRs will have an empty middle seat with a tray table for the aisle- and window-seat customers to share. The seats, which are in the extra legroom section, go on sale later this year so it's not clear just how much more United will charge. It said it could later add them to other aircraft beyond those new, long-range narrow-body planes.
The new upsell is just one of many airlines are throwing out to get customers to pay more to fly. Last week, Delta Air Lines joined United in launching basic business-class and premium economy fares that don't come with perks that used to be included in the ticket. For example, Delta will no longer include access to its top-tier Delta One lounge or seat selection with its cheapest long-haul business class tickets.
Read more CNBC airline newsDelta launches ‘basic business’ fares without lounge access, seat selectionRecord heat, crowds drive offseason boom in international travelDelta expects higher airfare to last, bringing 2026 profit goal in reach'Bring 'em on': Delta wants United's crown over the Pacific, tooSpirit's collapse, high fuel prices test limits of summer vacation spendingMeet the pilots flying Spirit Airlines' yellow jets to the desertUnited in March also said it plans to launch a set of three economy seats that can be converted into a bed, which it's calling the "Relax Row" on some of its wide-body planes.
Airlines have spent years adding more premium-class seats to make bigger business-class cabins where spending has been more resilient. The bottlenecks of ever-more-elaborate seats have even delayed deliveries of new planes.
Federální soudce odmítl zamítnout žalobu proti United Airlines kvůli údajnému účtování příplatku za „window seats“ bez oken. Případ nyní pokračuje u federálního soudu.
A federal judge on Monday refused to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing United Airlines of charging passengers extra for “window seats” that lacked actual windows, allowing the case to move forward.
U.S. District Judge James Donato ruled the plaintiffs plausibly alleged United breached its contractual obligations by selling seats identified as window seats even though some were positioned next to solid cabin walls rather than windows.
“These terms plausibly establish that United expressly agreed to provide a seat with a window to passengers who paid for one,” Donato wrote, adding that United’s reservation screens and boarding passes represented that customers had purchased window seats. “No more is needed at this stage for the breach claims to go forward.”
The lawsuit alleges United knowingly charged passengers extra for certain window seats on aircraft, including Boeing 737s, Boeing 757s and Airbus A321s, even though some seats lacked adjacent windows because of aircraft design. Plaintiffs claim passengers often pay premiums for window seats to enjoy the view or help alleviate anxiety, claustrophobia or motion sickness.
A United Airlines aircraft taxis near a runway marker at Palm Beach International Airport. Chris Beckett/ZUMA / SplashNews.com United argued the lawsuit should be dismissed, saying “window seat” describes a seat’s location relative to the aisle rather than guaranteeing an actual window and contending federal law preempts the claims. Donato rejected those arguments at this stage of the litigation.
United declined to comment on the lawsuit.
A general view looking out an airplane window of an airplane wing and clouds over the United States as seen on August 20, 2024. Christopher Sadowski “As part of our regular review of united.com and the United App to enhance the customer experience, in 2025 we added more detail to our seat selection process, so customers can have more information about what to expect when they choose a seat,” a United spokesperson told FOX Business.
The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide class of passengers who paid extra for window seats but allegedly received seats without windows.
United Airlines by měla podle odhadů vykázat zisk 1,89 USD na akcii a tržby 17,69 miliardy USD za čtvrtletí. Kombinace vyššího odhadu a Earnings ESP +1,26 % naznačuje možné překonání očekávání.
United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 15, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis airline is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.89 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -51.2%.
Revenues are expected to be $17.69 billion, up 16.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 17.87% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for United?For United, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.26%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that United will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that United would post earnings of $1.08 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.19, delivering a surprise of +10.19%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
United appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry, United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.89 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -51.2%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $17.69 billion, up 16.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for United has been revised 17.9% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +1.26%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that United will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
United Airlines zveřejní výsledky za 2. čtvrtletí 15. července; analytici čekají EPS 1,82 USD a tržby 17,58 miliardy USD. Akcie v úterý klesly o 3,2 % na 128,31 USD.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) will release its second quarter earnings report after the closing bell on Wednesday, July 15.
Analysts expect the Chicago, Illinois-based company to report quarterly earnings of $1.82 per share, down from $3.87 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for United Airlines’ quarterly revenue is $17.58 billion. It reported $15.24 billion last year, according to Benzinga Pro.
On April 21, United Airlines Holdings posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
Shares of United Airlines fell 3.2% to close at $128.31 on Tuesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let’s have a look at how Benzinga’s most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.
Considering buying UAL stock? Here’s what analysts think:
Photo via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
United Airlines spustí od 17. prosince 2026 přímé lety z Houstonu a Washingtonu Dulles do Cartageny, čímž se stane první americkou aerolinkou na obou trasách. Cartagena bude třetí destinací United v Kolumbii.
Key Takeaways UAL will launch nonstop flights to Cartagena from Houston and Washington Dulles on Dec. 17, 2026.UAL adds its third Colombia destination, complementing long-standing service to Bogota and Medellin.UAL plans upgraded onboard features and free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members to enhance travel. United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) announced the launch of new nonstop flights from Houston Intercontinental Airport (“IAH”) and Washington Dulles International Airport (“IAD”) to Cartagena, Colombia, effective Dec. 17, 2026, subject to government approval. With this move, United will become the first U.S. airline to offer nonstop service on both routes, further expanding its international network in Latin America.
The new services will operate year round with four weekly flights from each hub, using Boeing 737 aircraft. The expansion adds Cartagena as United's third destination in Colombia, complementing its existing operations to Bogotá and Medellín, where the airline has maintained a presence for more than 30 years.
The new routes are expected to strengthen United's connectivity across North America by linking Cartagena to more than 70 destinations through its Houston and Washington Dulles hubs. The expansion also reinforces the airline's leadership in Latin America, where it already offers the largest network from Texas and the Washington, D.C., region.
Alongside network expansion, United continues to enhance its customer offering by deploying aircraft equipped with seatback entertainment screens, Bluetooth connectivity and larger overhead bins. The airline also plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members, underscoring its focus on improving the travel experience while supporting long-term international growth.
UAL’s Share Price PerformanceUAL’s shares have gained 68.9% over the past year compared with the Transportation - Airline industry’s 43.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
UAL’s Zacks RankUAL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to ConsiderInvestors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector may consider Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD - Free Report) and Teekay Tankers Ltd (TNK - Free Report) .
EXPD currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Expeditors has an expected earnings growth rate of 11.9% for 2026. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 13.96%.
Teekay Tankers Ltd currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
TNK has an expected earnings growth rate of 98% for the current year. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 10.2%.
