United Airlines cutting flights due to surge in fuel price
United Airlines is significantly downsizing its network over the next few months, due to the surge in fuel price.
It comes despite a possible lull in the conflict which has seen airlines regain some value on their stock prices.
CEO Scott Kirby told employees in a memo it is planning for oil prices to remain high for the rest of the year.
“The reality is, jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks. If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11 billion in annual expense just for jet fuel,” he said.
The airline said it will cut around 5% of flights predominantly on underperforming routes and during off peak periods.
These cuts will likely last until the fall, it says.
Flights on quieter days like Tuesdays, Wednesday and Saturdays, and red eye flights will be among those flight cuts.
United’s flight operations at Chicago O’Hare are also being cut for unrelated reasons, due to FAA mandated flight reductions at the airport, which is likely to impact American Airlines.
“To be clear, nothing changes about our longer-term plans for aircraft deliveries or total capacity for 2027 and beyond, but there’s no point in burning cash in the near term,” Kirby added.
In spite of this, United says travel demand remains ‘the strongest we’ve ever seen. The 10 biggest booked revenue weeks in our history have been the last 10 weeks.”
United has no plans to furlough any staff.
Related News Stories: United Airlines returns to Thailand and Vietnam via Hong Kong FAA wants deeper flight cuts at Chicago O'Hare Airport - TravelMole FAA will cut Chicago summer flights - TravelMole Thai airlines seek jet fuel tax cut - TravelMole Germany loses a range of British Airways flights in summer 2026 United flight diverted after possible space debris impact - TravelMole US airlines suspend Dubai, Doha flights - TravelMole Lufthansa considers trimming domestic timetable by 100 weekly flights FAA warns airlines to tighten emergency evacuation protocols American Airlines removes boarding gate bag sizers - TravelMole
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025