New York, February 11, 2026, 14:07 EST — Regular session.
- United shares slipped, with airline stocks underperforming as oil prices climbed.
- United and JetBlue have started cross-selling flights through their apps and websites as part of the “Blue Sky” partnership.
- Investors eye fuel prices and await further commentary from United during its Feb. 18 conference slot.
United Airlines Holdings Inc dropped 3.1% to $112.71 by Wednesday afternoon, slipping after an open at $117.50. Shares managed to reach $118.80 earlier in the session before dipping to a low of $112.50.
The airline group dropped as oil prices pushed higher, renewing fuel-cost concerns. Brent crude rose 1.8% to $70.02 a barrel, while U.S. crude picked up 1.9%, hitting $65.17. PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas Varga noted there were “no signs, at least for now, of escalation” in Middle East tensions. 1
United and JetBlue rolled out a new feature Tuesday: travelers can now book qualifying flights on either airline’s site or app, using cash, points, or miles. United’s Andrew Nocella described the shift as offering “more choice, flexibility and a better overall booking experience.” JetBlue President Marty St. George called it “an important step forward in our Blue Sky collaboration.” Next up, the carriers said, come joint itineraries and reciprocal benefits. And looking ahead to 2027, JetBlue is set to give United access to as many as seven daily roundtrips out of JFK’s upcoming Terminal 6. 2
The selloff hit more than just United. Delta Air Lines shed 4.6%, American Airlines sank 5.9%, while shares of Southwest Airlines slipped 4.4%. The U.S. Global Jets ETF finished down 3.4%. In contrast, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF ticked up slightly.
Fuel ranks among the biggest expenses for airlines, so big swings in crude often overshadow whatever else is happening with a company that day. A spike in oil usually prompts traders to slash their exposure fast—questions come after.
There’s a blunt risk here too. Should crude push higher—or if geopolitics suddenly put supply in jeopardy—airlines can get hit fast. Hedging and fare adjustments almost never catch up right away.
For United, it comes down to whether the JetBlue partnership actually brings in extra bookings and retains customers—particularly the lucrative premium segment that airlines rely on for loyalty. The rollout isn’t happening all at once. Because of that, investors might hold back judgment until they see a clear pickup in traffic and revenue numbers.
Feb. 18 is the one to watch—United CFO Mike Leskinen will be on stage at Barclays’ Industrial Select Conference. 3
