United Airlines has issued a profit warning, lowering its full-year outlook despite reporting strong demand and solid first-quarter results. The airline now expects annual earnings to fall well below earlier forecasts, citing a sharp rise in fuel costs as the main driver. The increase is linked to geopolitical tensions involving Iran, which have pushed oil prices higher and significantly impacted airline margins.
United said jet fuel prices have risen substantially in recent weeks, adding hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs. As a result, the carrier also issued a weaker-than-expected outlook for the second quarter.
To offset the pressure, the airline indicated that ticket prices may need to increase, with fare hikes of up to 15–20% under consideration. Capacity growth is also being scaled back, with United planning only limited expansion in the coming months.
Despite the downgrade, demand for travel remains robust. Premium cabin bookings and loyalty revenues continue to perform strongly, highlighting that the airline’s challenges are largely cost-driven rather than linked to weakening passenger demand.
The warning sent shares lower, as investors reacted to the reduced profit expectations and ongoing uncertainty around fuel prices.