The Digester

United is cutting unprofitable off-peak flights and suspending some international service as it prepares for a prolonged period of high jet fuel prices that could add about $11 billion to its annual fuel bill.

United forecasts oil could reach $175 per barrel and stay above $100 until the end of 2027.
At those fuel prices United's annual fuel bill would rise by about $11 billion.
United will cancel about 3 percentage points of off-peak flying in the second and third quarters and remove about 1 percentage point of capacity from Chicago O'Hare.
Service to Tel Aviv and Dubai will remain suspended, bringing total capacity cuts to about 5 percentage points of this year's planned capacity.
United expects to restore its full schedule in the fall.
Strong travel demand has allowed U.S. carriers to raise fares and support bookings, with United reporting recent booked fares up 15 to 20 percent.
United will still take delivery of about 120 new aircraft this year and has about 130 more due by April 2028.
Most U.S. carriers do not hedge fuel costs and are relying on fare increases and capacity discipline to offset higher jet fuel prices.

United Airlines trims flights as it plans for oil above $100 through 2027

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