United Airlines Q2 Profit Drops to $973M, Revenue Rises 1.7%

United Airlines reported Q2 earnings of $973m, down from $1.32bn last year. Revenue rose 1.7% to $15.24bn. The company's earnings per share fell to $2.97 from $3.96 last year.

United Airlines Holdings Inc. (UAL) reported its second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, showing a decrease in earnings compared to the same period last year, despite revenue growth. The company reported earnings of $973 million, down from $1.32 billion in the second quarter of 2024 [1]. The earnings per share (EPS) fell to $2.97 from $3.96 last year [1]. Revenue rose by 1.7% to $15.24 billion, slightly missing Wall Street's estimates of $15.37 billion [3].

The company's adjusted EPS of $3.87 per share beat analysts' expectations of $3.81, but the full-year EPS guidance was revised down to $9 to $11 per share from $11.50 to $13.50 per share [2]. United Airlines attributed the positive shift in demand beginning in early July to less geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty [2].

United Airlines' CEO Scott Kirby expressed pride in the team's performance during the volatile macroeconomic period, highlighting the company's growth in earnings and pre-tax margin for the first half of the year [2]. The company's operating revenue was $15.2 billion for the second quarter of 2025, falling short of analysts' expectations of $15.35 billion [2].

Premium cabin revenue and basic economy revenue grew by 5.6% and 1.7% year-over-year, respectively, while cargo revenue rose by 3.8% [2]. The company's total liquidity stood at $18.6 billion, with total debt and finance lease obligations at $27.1 billion [2].

United Airlines expects to provide guidance for the third quarter on its conference call scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET [2]. United Airlines shares were down 1.37% in after-hours trading, trading at $87.20 at the time of publication [2].

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/united-q2-earnings-snapshot-200839697.html
[2] https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46455550/united-airlines-q2-earnings-revenue-miss-eps-beat-lowered-fy25-guidance-despite-positive-shift-in-demand-in-early-july
[3] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/united-airlines-nasdaq-ual-misses-200734929.html