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Airlines Are Cutting Cheaper Flights Amid Latest Jet Fuel Spike

American and United said higher fuel costs are forcing them to cut less-profitable flights as American adds about $1 billion in fourth-quarter costs.

  • On Wednesday, American Airlines and United Airlines executives announced plans to trim flight capacity at a Morgan Stanley conference in California, citing surging fuel costs as the primary driver of capacity adjustments.
  • Global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have driven Brent crude up almost 70% this year, while the ongoing US-Iran war shows no signs of abating, significantly squeezing airline margins.
  • American Chief Financial Officer Devon May reported every 1-cent fuel move changes American's quarterly costs by about $10 million, producing a roughly $1 billion fourth-quarter runup, while United Chief Financial Officer Mike Leskinen described bookings as "tremendously strong."
  • Prioritizing profitability over market share, New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp. last week cut its capacity outlook to 1.5% to 3.5% growth from a prior 3% to 6% range, while United canceled some December flights as marginal routes became uneconomical.
  • Further adjustments to flight schedules will likely extend into 2027 if fuel prices remain elevated, as prolonged high costs could accelerate broader industry changes by putting greater financial pressure on weaker carriers.
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Three major US airlines cut plans after fuel prices soar

·Copenhagen, Denmark
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Airlines are cutting cheaper flights amid latest jet fuel spike

(CNN) — Airlines are cutting more flights this year in response to high fuel prices.

·Madison, United States
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Reuters broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
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