United to Reduce 2026 Capacity Due to High Fuel Costs
United Airlines announced that it will reduce its planned 2026 capacity by approximately five percentage points due to rising fuel prices. The airline said it has adjusted its flight planning as part of short-term operational measures aimed at preserving profitability.
Under the decision, capacity will be cut by around three percentage points in the second and third quarters, primarily affecting overnight flights and services operating on lower-demand days such as Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. In addition, a further one percentage point reduction is planned at Chicago O’Hare operations in the United States, pending the completion of the FAA process.
The airline also noted that the cancellation of Tel Aviv and Dubai routes has resulted in an additional one percentage point capacity reduction. United emphasized that these adjustments are temporary and that it aims to expand its flight schedule again in the autumn season.
