United Posts $17.7 Billion Q2 Revenue, Lifts 2026 EPS Outlook to $9-$11
Updated
Updated · Live and Let's Fly · Jul 16
United Posts $17.7 Billion Q2 Revenue, Lifts 2026 EPS Outlook to $9-$11
3 articles · Updated · Live and Let's Fly · Jul 16
Summary
$17.7 billion in second-quarter operating revenue helped United lift its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to $9-$11 from $7-$11 after posting $1.99 a share, ahead of expectations.
$5.1 billion in fuel expense—up 84% year over year—erased much of that gain, though United said it recouped about half of the increase in Q2 and expects a full offset by Q4.
Revenue strength was broad: premium-cabin sales rose 16%, corporate revenue 27%, cargo nearly 23%, while unit revenue climbed 12.1% even as capacity increased 3.5%.
Third-quarter adjusted EPS is projected at $2.50 to $3.50, and United said the range would have been about $1.12 higher without the fuel-price jump seen in early July.
Against Delta, United matched roughly $17.7 billion in adjusted revenue and beat it on adjusted EPS, but Delta still generated higher total profit and a stronger pre-tax margin.