United Airlines 'tactically pruning' flights amid high fuel prices due to the Iran war
Source: Business Insider
Mar 20, 2026, 10:44 PM ET
The war with Iran will soon limit your flight options — even domestically. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby announced on Friday that the company will be "tactically pruning" its "temporarily unprofitable" flights amid surging fuel costs tied to the Middle East conflict, which are squeezing margins.
The carrier plans to cut about 5% of all scheduled flights and 3% of its off-peak flights over the second and third quarters of 2026. Kirby said that red-eyes and flights on low-traffic days of the week would be the first to go, but the airline expects to restore its full schedule by fall.
"If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11 billion in annual expense just for jet fuel," Kirby said in a message to employees posted on the company's website. "For perspective, in United's best year ever, we made less than $5B."
"Our plans assume oil goes to $175/barrel and doesn't get back down to $100/barrel until the end of 2027," Kirby added. "And there's a part of me that can't help but feel United is playing offense right now with potentially big rewards at the end."
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/united-airlines-cut-scheduled-flights-high-fuel-prices-iran-war-2026-3
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