United Airlines finished 2024 in a strong position after experiencing a better than average performance during the final quarter and over the festive holidays.
The world’s largest carrier (based on fleet size) posted its results and outlook for the year ahead on January 22, 2025, with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby predicting “double-digit pre-tax margins” in 2025.
As well as positive financial showings, United Airlines also set the record for most passengers flown in a year at nearly 174 million and, in December 2024, the carrier recorded its busiest three days in history based on customers carried.
Commenting on the results Kirby said: “United had a unique strategy coming out of COVID and our people have delivered for customers leading to a structurally and permanently changed industry. 2024 was a strong year across the board for United as we’ve become the leading global airline, and we enter 2025 with demand trends continuing to accelerate which puts us on the path to double-digit pre-tax margins.”
In the final quarter capacity was up 6.2% compared to the same period in 2023 and United posted a $985 million profit for the fourth quarter, representing a 64% rise over the previous year.
In the final quarter premium revenue was up 10%, corporate revenue was up 7% and revenue from economy was up 20% year-over-year.
Looking ahead to the first quarter in 2025 the adjusted diluted earnings per share were put at 75 cents to $1.25, above the 56 cents on average estimated by Bloomberg.
For the full year, United Airlines had adjusted pre-tax earnings of $4.6 billion, with an adjusted pre-tax margin of 8.1% while its net income rose from $2.6 billion in 2023 to $3.1 billion in 2024.
