United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby expects airfares to rise gradually in the first half of 2027, but by less than they did this year, as travel demand remains strong. U.S. airline fares rose 25.5% in July from a year earlier and were nearly 25% higher on average from April through July, according to the Labor Department. Kirby said fares remain about 13% below pre-pandemic levels after adjusting for inflation and are moving toward levels that would allow airlines to reinvest while remaining profitable. United has not seen a meaningful slowdown in demand, which Kirby said should help the airline recover higher fuel costs in the fourth quarter of 2026. He stopped short of a firm forecast but said United could still recover 100% of those costs with jet fuel near $4 a gallon. Kirby also said aircraft deliveries were back largely on pace after supply-chain problems proved worse than anticipated when United placed large aircraft orders several years ago.