United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
Industrials · Passenger Airlines
Structural: US legacy network carrier with the largest international footprint of the Big 3, anchored by 7 hubs (EWR, ORD, DEN, IAH, SFO, IAD, LAX). United Next is the multi-year fleet plan - ~800 aircraft on order/option (Boeing $BA 737 MAX + 787, Airbus A321neo/A321XLR) - driving gauge up-sizing, premium-seat density, and unit cost down.
Revenue mix: ~60% domestic, ~40% international; premium cabin and MileagePlus loyalty are the margin tailwinds. Co-brand card economics with $JPM Chase a recurring cash leg.
(1) International long-haul gauge advantage vs $DAL/$AAL on Pacific + transatlantic. (2) Premium-cabin densification lifts RASM mix away from main-cabin commodity. (3) MileagePlus + Chase co-brand = high-margin annuity revenue. (4) Newark slot dominance post-FAA cap relief.
(5) Fuel hedging discipline + post-COVID balance-sheet repair.
(1) Boeing $BA 737 MAX 9 grounding aftermath + delivery slippage delays United Next gauge benefit. (2) Pratt & Whitney $RTX GTF engine inspections grounding A320neo family fleet. (3) Fuel price beta - every $10/bbl move on jet fuel is a material EPS swing.
(4) Labor cost step-up post-2026 pilot contracts. (5) Recession sensitivity on premium-leisure + corporate travel demand.