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United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) operates as a holding company with its wholly-owned subsidiary, United Airlines, Inc., a major player in the airline industry. United Airlines boasts the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, with hubs in major U.S. cities such as Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. . The company generates revenue from passenger travel, cargo services, and third-party business activities, which include ground handling, maintenance services, flight academy, and frequent flyer award non-travel redemptions . United Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, enhancing its international reach, and is investing in its United Next plan to expand its fleet and improve customer experience .
- Passenger Travel - Provides air travel services to passengers across a comprehensive network of domestic and international routes.
- Cargo Services - Offers air freight services, transporting goods and cargo across its extensive route network.
- Third-Party Business Activities - Includes ground handling, maintenance services, flight academy, and frequent flyer award non-travel redemptions, contributing to other operating revenue.
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Andrew Nocella Executive | Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer | None | Andrew Nocella joined UAL in 2017 and has been in his current role since September 2017. He previously held senior positions at American Airlines. | |
Brett J. Hart Executive | President | None | Brett J. Hart has been President of UAL since May 2020. He joined UAL in 2010 and has held various executive roles, including General Counsel. | |
J. Scott Kirby Executive | Chief Executive Officer | Board Member at CVS Health Corporation | J. Scott Kirby has been the CEO of UAL since May 2020. He previously served as President of UAL and has held leadership roles at American Airlines and US Airways. | View Report → |
Kate Gebo Executive | Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations | None | Kate Gebo has been with UAL since 2009 and has held several senior roles, including Chief Customer Officer. | |
Linda P. Jojo Executive | Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer | None | Linda Jojo has been with UAL since 2014 and is set to retire in January 2025. She has led technology and customer service initiatives. | |
Michael Leskinen Executive | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | None | Michael Leskinen became CFO in September 2023. He has been with UAL since 2018, previously serving as Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations. | |
Torbjorn Enqvist Executive | Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer | None | Torbjorn Enqvist has been with UAL since 1996 and has held various leadership roles, focusing on operations and customer service. | |
Barney Harford Board | Board Member | None | Barney Harford has been a director at UAL since 2016. He has held leadership roles at Uber and Orbitz. | |
Brian Noyes Board | Board Member | None | Brian Noyes was appointed to the UAL Board in January 2025, filling a vacancy left by Captain Anne Worster. | |
Edward M. Philip Board | Chairman of the Board | Board Member at BRP Inc. and Blade Air Mobility, Inc. | Edward M. Philip has been Chairman since May 2021 and a director since 2016. He has extensive experience in corporate governance. | |
James M. Whitehurst Board | Board Member | Board Member at Amplitude, Inc. and Software AG; Senior Advisor at IBM | James M. Whitehurst has been a director at UAL since 2016. He has held leadership roles at Red Hat and IBM. | |
Laysha Ward Board | Board Member | Board Member at Denny's Corporation; Strategic Advisor at Target Corporation | Laysha Ward has been a director at UAL since 2021. She has held senior roles at Target Corporation. | |
Matthew Friend Board | Board Member | Executive Vice President and CFO at NIKE, Inc. | Matthew Friend has been a director at UAL since 2021. He is also the CFO of NIKE, Inc.. | |
Michele J. Hooper Board | Board Member | President and CEO of The Directors' Council; Board Member at UnitedHealth Group | Michele J. Hooper joined the UAL Board in 2018. She has extensive experience in audit and corporate governance. | |
Michelle Freyre Board | Board Member | Global Brand President at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. | Michelle Freyre joined the UAL Board in April 2024. She has held leadership roles at Estée Lauder and Johnson & Johnson. | |
Richard Johnsen Board | IAM Director | None | Richard Johnsen became IAM Director in July 2021. He has extensive experience in union relations and air transport. | |
Rosalind Brewer Board | Board Member | None | Rosalind Brewer joined the UAL Board in February 2024. She has held leadership roles at Walgreens Boots Alliance and Starbucks. | |
Walter Isaacson Board | Board Member | Advisory Partner at Perella Weinberg Partners | Walter Isaacson has been a director at UAL since 2006. He is known for his leadership roles at CNN and TIME magazine. |
- With net leverage currently at 2.7x and a target to reduce it below 2x in the next few years, how do you plan to balance deleveraging with the new $1.5 billion share repurchase program and continued investments in the business?
- Given the ongoing delivery delays from Airbus and Boeing, including the recent Boeing strike and delays in the 777X program, how will these challenges impact your capacity growth plans and capital expenditure guidance of $7 billion to $9 billion for the next few years?
- As competitors make significant changes to their networks and products, where do you see the biggest opportunities and challenges in the U.S. domestic market next year, and how will United differentiate itself to capitalize on the evolving industry backdrop in 2025?
- With delays in wide-body aircraft deliveries affecting global capacity, how do you anticipate these supply constraints will influence international supply-demand dynamics over the next few years, and how is United positioned to navigate these challenges?
- Regarding your recent international expansion to less traditional destinations like Nuuk, Greenland, can you elaborate on the strategic rationale behind selecting these routes, the expected financial impact, and how you plan to ensure profitability in markets with unproven demand?
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for UAL.
- Record Revenue & EPS: Q1 2025 revenue hit a company record of $13.2 billion (up 5.4% YOY) with earnings per share of $0.91, driven by resilience in a softer demand environment.
- Cost Management Focus: The company delivered its strongest first quarter pretax margin (3%) in five years and implemented cost efficiency measures such as reducing off-peak capacity to manage a challenging economic landscape.
- Strategic Customer Loyalty: Emphasis was placed on winning and retaining brand loyal customers, which supports both operational performance and future guidance, including full-year EPS targets of $7–$9 in recession scenarios.
- Robust Capital Allocation: United ended Q1 with $18.3 billion in liquidity, demonstrated strong free cash flow generation, and advanced its share buyback program by repurchasing 5.6 million shares at an average price of $80, with roughly $1 billion remaining in authorization.
- Achieved record revenue of $13.2 billion with best first-quarter performance in five years, a 3.6% pre-tax margin, and pre-tax earnings of $478 million .
- Delivered strong operational efficiency with the largest schedule by available seat miles in history .
- Repurchased $451 million of shares year-to-date, reinforcing its commitment to shareholders .
- Maintained resilient guidance for Q2 and full-year 2025, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment .
- Plans include reducing domestic capacity by 4 percentage points starting in Q3 2025 .
- United Airlines will increase flights out of SFO by 20% in 2025, reinforcing its strategy to re-establish SFO as a global gateway.
- A $2.6 billion construction project is underway to modernize and expand Terminal 3, supporting long-term growth.
- The airline is broadening its network with new international and domestic routes, including adding 11 new international and 9 domestic destinations, along with offering over 300 daily flights this summer.
- United Airlines announces daily flights to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City starting October 26 using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to enhance connectivity from Hong Kong.
- The airline will launch the first nonstop U.S.-to-Adelaide service from San Francisco on December 11, operating three times weekly on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
- A second daily flight between San Francisco and Manila will begin on October 25, providing more daytime and evening travel options.
- With these new routes, United now serves 32 Pacific destinations, reinforcing its extensive global network.
- Long-term industry dynamics remain intact: CEO Scott Kirby emphasized that despite near-term macroeconomic pressures, the structural changes—such as cost convergence and the growing importance of brand-loyal, diverse revenue streams—are permanent and key to United’s strategy.
- Operational and capacity management initiatives: The company is addressing weak segments like government bookings by retiring 21 aircraft early and adjusting yield management, actions aimed at improving margins in a challenging demand environment.
- Focus on strategic balance sheet and loyalty program monetization: United is optimizing its capital structure, targeting investment-grade metrics while exploring ways to unlock hidden value in its high-margin loyalty business.
- Outlook on market consolidation and regulatory improvements: There were discussions on potential industry consolidation (with competitors like JetBlue possibly playing a role) and anticipated enhancements in FAA efficiency driven by bipartisan support.