United Airlines reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.54 per share, narrowly below the $2.57 estimate cited in the latest report, as fuel expense jumped 62% from a year earlier. The carrier expects fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of 50 cents to $1.50 per share, below the $1.76 average analyst estimate cited in the latest report, while forecasting revenue growth of more than 20%. United expects to pay $4.80 per gallon for jet fuel in the December quarter, about 45 cents above market assumptions; the difference represents roughly $1 per share in earnings. Strong travel demand and higher fares have not offset the fuel-cost pressure. U.S. airfares rose nearly 23% year over year in the seven months through September, and airlines spent $42.9 billion on fuel in the first eight months of 2026, up $13.2 billion from a year earlier despite slightly lower consumption. United will discuss its results with analysts and investors on Wednesday morning.