American Airlines and United Airlines warned on Wednesday that sustained high jet fuel prices could force them to trim fourth-quarter flying, particularly on marginal and less profitable routes. American said the latest surge could add about $1 billion to its fourth-quarter costs, while United pointed to possible cancellations of some December flights and further schedule changes if fuel remains elevated.
The guidance came during a Morgan Stanley investor conference in California, where executives described a gap between resilient demand and the airlines’ ability to recover higher costs immediately. United’s finance chief said much of fourth-quarter ticket inventory was already sold, limiting near-term pricing flexibility. American and United both indicated they would keep adjusting capacity late in the quarter if fuel stays high, prioritising profitability and cash generation over preserving every planned departure.