- United Airlines reported Q4 EPS of $3.10 and full-year EPS of $10.62, a slight increase versus 2024.
- The airline set 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.00–$1.50 for Q1 and $12.00–$14.00 for the full year, with capital spending forecast below $8 billion.
- Results absorbed a $250 million pre-tax hit from the U.S. government shutdown and a $0.85 per-share Newark-related headwind.
- United generated $2.7 billion of free cash flow in 2025, paid down $1.9 billion of high-cost debt, lowered total cost of debt to 4.7%, and finished the year with 2.2x net leverage; it received five credit-rating upgrades and is “one notch below investment-grade” across the three major agencies.
- The stock rose about 2% on Wednesday and investors are monitoring premium versus basic-economy demand and early-year booking trends that typically set the tone for carriers in Q1.
On Wednesday, United Airlines reported resilient 2025 results and raised its profit outlook for 2026 after posting fourth-quarter earnings per share of $3.10 and full-year EPS of $10.62, slightly above 2024. The company said these results came despite a $250 million pre-tax hit tied to the U.S. government shutdown and a $0.85 per-share Newark headwind.
Chief Executive Scott Kirby framed 2025 as validation of the carrier’s strategy, calling the year, in his words, “a proof point” for building a revenue-diverse, brand-loyal airline and saying the model is “remarkably resilient in tough times.” United set first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS guidance at $1.00 to $1.50 and full-year adjusted EPS at $12.00 to $14.00.
The airline also projected 2026 capital spending below $8 billion. Finance leader Leskinen said the company generated about $2.7 billion of free cash flow in 2025 and expects a similar level in 2026 amid higher aircraft deliveries. United paid down $1.9 billion of high-cost COVID-era debt, cut its total cost of debt to 4.7%, and ended the year with net leverage of 2.2x.
Over the last 13 months, the carrier secured five credit-rating upgrades across major agencies and is, as noted by management, “one notch below investment-grade.” Shares of UAL rose roughly 2% on Wednesday but have traded near break-even since the start of 2026. Investors are closely watching the split between premium and basic-economy travel and early booking patterns, since first-quarter trends often shape carriers’ outlooks.
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