by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:40 AM ET, Thu October 16, 2025
United Airlines’ financials for the third quarter of the year performed higher than Wall Street predictions, and the airline’s looking forward to a more productive end to the year, too—expecting record-breaking revenue.
During the third quarter, the airline reported pre-tax earnings of $1.3 billion and an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.78, higher than the expected range of $2.25 to $2.75.
Total operating revenue for the year grew 2.6 percent, to $15.2 billion. It reported a net income of $0.9 billion.
Premium cabin revenue during the third quarter grew 6 percent year-over-year; revenue from Basic Economy rose 4 percent; cargo grew 3 percent; and loyalty revenue rose 9 percent.
United Airlines expects the next quarter to have the highest total operating revenue for a single quarter in the airline’s history, thanks to growing travel demand, increased loyalty and better in-flight experiences. The airline will be investing $1 billion to continue improving the customer experience in 2026.
"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.
"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’s success also comes from flying its largest international flight schedule in company history, with over 400 roundtrip international flights per day to 142 different destinations.
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