NEW YORK, January 21, 2026, 21:19 EST — Market closed
Shares of United Airlines Holdings climbed roughly 2.2% to $110.96 on Wednesday following the carrier’s recent earnings report and profit forecast for 2026, bringing the stock back into focus before the next trading day.
The shift is crucial as investors weigh how much of U.S. airlines’ 2026 earnings will stem from premium seats and loyalty perks rather than budget fares. United’s recent update added fuel to this discussion, with its management highlighting consistent demand from corporate and affluent travelers, even while competition intensifies in economy cabins. 1
United’s investor update on Tuesday forecasted first-quarter adjusted earnings per share between $1.00 and $1.50, with full-year adjusted earnings expected in the $12.00 to $14.00 range. These “adjusted” figures exclude certain items the company believes could distort comparisons. The filing also indicated that adjusted capital spending for 2026 will come in below $8 billion. 2
United’s fourth-quarter revenue hit $15.4 billion, marking a 4.8% rise from last year. Premium revenue climbed 9%, while loyalty revenue was up 10%. CEO Scott Kirby credited the results to “winning more and more brand-loyal customers.” The earnings statement also noted a U.S. government shutdown in November shaved about $250 million in pre-tax earnings that quarter. 3
UBS analyst Atul Maheswari described the quarter as a “clean print” and noted that United’s guidance appears “easily beatable if current trends were to persist,” according to a note cited by Investing.com. UBS kept its buy rating and $145 price target unchanged, the report added. 4
United used part of its earnings call to zero in on a new battleground: gates and flight schedules at Chicago’s O’Hare. Kirby told analysts the airline is “drawing a line in the sand” and plans to add “as many flights as are required” to block American Airlines from taking gates away from United, Reuters reported. 5
That said, the picture isn’t straightforward. Kirby cautioned on Bloomberg TV that rising geopolitical tensions might throw a wrench into what he described as “a pretty hot start to the year.” It’s a clear signal that United’s extensive international footprint is both an asset and a potential risk. 6
The group’s next key update is just around the corner. American Airlines set its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings call for Jan. 27. Investors will watch closely to see how premium demand and fare trends stack up against United’s outlook. 7
Traders, looking past earnings season, will zero in on a handful of stress factors: fuel costs, labor issues, and aircraft deliveries. United’s strategy counts on steady fleet expansion and a packed summer timetable; delays in deliveries or weaker bookings could hit margins hard.
The immediate challenge for the stock is straightforward: will Wednesday’s gains stick once trading picks back up? And will upcoming airline earnings support or shake United’s 2026 projections?
