United Airlines (UAL) Q4 2024 Earnings
A United Airlines plane taxis onto the runway at Newark Liberty International Airport in front of lower Manhattan and the One World Trade Center skyline in New York on December 4, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey.
Gary Hershorn | Corbis News | Getty Images
United Airlines forecast first-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates as the carrier looks to boost earnings again in 2025 thanks to strong travel demand.
The airline said Tuesday that it expects earnings of an adjusted 75 cents to $1.25 a share for the first three months of the year, above the 54 cents expected by analysts, according to LSEG estimates.
United’s stock is up more than 180% in the past 12 months, more than any other US carrier.
Based on estimates compiled by LSEG, United compared Wall Street’s expectations for the fourth quarter:
- Earnings per share: Adjusted to $3.26 vs. $3.00 expected
- Income: $14.70 billion vs. $14.47 billion expected
For the full year 2025, United expects to increase adjusted earnings to $11.50 to $13.50, in line with expectations of about $12.82, according to LSEG.
United and rival Delta have benefited from strong demand for more expensive seats such as business class, international travel and their massive loyalty programs. Delta CEO Ed Bastian earlier this month It said it expects 2025 to be “the best financial year in our history” for the carrier.
United reported fourth-quarter profit of $985 million, up 64% from last year, on revenue of $14.70 billion, up nearly 8% from a year ago. Adjusted for one-time items, United reported fourth-quarter earnings of $3.26 per share, which beat expectations.
Loyalty program revenue, as well as international, domestic and basic economy-class revenue, rose from a year ago, and unit revenue, a measure of pricing power, turned positive in the same quarter of 2023.
United CEO Scott Kirby said he was optimistic about the President Donald Trump‘s new management and airlines need improvements in air traffic control, he said. reflects feelings From other industry CEOs like Delta’s Bastian.
“I spoke with the president and we had a great call,” Kirby told CNBC.Screaming in the street“Wednesday. “He knows a lot about airplanes and airspace.
He said he also spoke with Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Transportation, Sean Duffy, who had a largely friendly confirmation hearing before a Senate panel last week.
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