United hails ‘brand loyal’ customers amid record summer quarter carryings 

United Airlines saw summer profits beat Wall Street expectations as it reported quarterly carryings of 48 million passengers.

 

Pre-tax profits for the three months to September 30 came in at $1.3 billion as total operating revenue grew 2.6% year on year $15.2 billion based on a 6.2% rise in passenger numbers

 

The airline said it had thrived in an “economically volatile” year thanks to brand-loyal customers who choose to fly United because of the value in the experience

 

Premium cabin revenue rose 6% over the same period last year; revenue from basic economy was up 4%; cargo revenue by 3% and loyalty revenue by 9%. 

 

United flew its largest mainline schedule with 2,940 daily flights carrying more than 427,000 passengers a day. 

 

Six of of its seven US 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,” the airline said.

 

“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,” United noted.

 

United plans to invest an additional $1 billion in the customer experience in 2026 as it continues to make “significant investments in winning brand-loyal customers” including in-flight Starlink wifi installations, seatback screens and 25% more on food.

 

The airline’s network strength was highlighted another reason it is winning customer preference, with transatlantic services planned between the US and 46 cities planned for 2026, including summer flights to Glasgow, Split, Santiago de Compostela and Bari, while also bringing back all six new destinations from this summer’s international expansion. 

 

Flights to Tel Aviv are due to resume from Chicago and Washington  for the first time since 2023 in early November.

 

Chief executive Scott Kirby said: "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. 

 

"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.”

 

He added: ”Customers are increasingly choosing an airline that can deliver value for them across the full travel experience, from Basic Economy to United Polaris. 

"We are well-positioned to be the airline those brand-loyal customers choose to fly them across the US and around the world."