United trimming flights as Middle East conflict drives fuel costs higher

United Airlines announced Friday it is trimming flights as rising fuel costs tied to the U.S. military operation in Iran squeeze the industry.

United CEO Scott Kirby, in a memo shared to the company’s website, said the airline will cancel about “3 points of flying in off peak periods” — pointing to redeye trips and mid-week flights — in the second and third quarters of 2026. He added that some airports, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport, are already reducing flights under a directive from the Federal Aviation Administration.

“The reality is, jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks,” Kirby told employees. “If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11B in annual expense just for jet fuel. For perspective, in United’s best year ever, we made less than $5B.”

“That may sound scary, but the first piece of good news is that, for now at least, demand remains the strongest we’ve ever seen. The 10 biggest booked revenue weeks in our history have been the last 10 weeks,” he continued. “But it may be a........

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