Fall Airfares Stay High 9/7/26

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  September 07, 2026 at 07:00  |  1:27  |  CNBC
Speakers
Scott Kirby — CEO, United Airlines
Jessica Ettinger — Anchor, CNBC

Summary

CNBC's Money Minute covers United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby's outlook on fall travel and pricing. Kirby says United is seeing no seasonal demand slowdown, with October now one of its best months. He expects fuel/oil prices to remain elevated but believes United can pass through those costs and still achieve double-digit margins in 2027, meaning passengers will likely keep paying high airfares.

  • United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says fall demand has not slowed after Labor Day.
  • Bookings show no blip; business and leisure demand are both strong.
  • October has become one of United's best months after historically being slow.
  • Kirby expects fuel/oil prices to remain much elevated into 2027.
  • United expects to pass through higher fuel costs and still produce double-digit margins in 2027.
  • Passengers are expected to pay up for plane tickets.
Ideas
Scott Kirby CEO, United Airlines 0:20
Fall airline demand remains unusually strong.
United Airlines is not seeing a fall shoulder-season slowdown: bookings show no blip in demand, with both business and leisure demand strong across the board, and October has become one of United's best months of the year.
Scott Kirby CEO, United Airlines 0:53
Fuel and oil prices stay much elevated.
Kirby does not expect fuel/oil prices to return to early 2026 levels; he hopes they get lower but thinks they will stay much elevated into 2027, keeping jet fuel costs high.
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Speakers: Scott Kirby  · Tickers: UAL, WTI