United CEO: With High Fuel Prices, Airlines Will Have to Cut Flights -- WSJ

By Alison Sider

Pains from high jet fuel prices are going to rattle the airline industry through next year, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told analysts and investors.

And while some struggling carriers are banking on new investments in premium seating and amenities to boost revenue, Kirby said those plans are unlikely to work.

"You can't just like take a Four-Seasons room, copy the room, put it in a Motel 6 and expect it to be Four Seasons," he said.

The only way to stay afloat is to pull back from money-losing flying, Kirby said, raising the possibility that activist investors could push for changes at some carriers.

"The fact that Spirit went away was a reprieve for some airlines from making hard decisions," he said. "But there's other airlines that are next up in the firing line, and I think changes are coming."

This item is part of a Wall Street Journal live coverage event. The full stream can be found by searching P/WSJL (WSJ Live Coverage).

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 21, 2026 12:25 ET (16:25 GMT)