UPDATE
Apr 18, 2026 8:10 AM CDT
Consumer advocates, politicians, and competitors aren't the only ones opposed to a huge American-United Airline merger—so, apparently, is American. The Wall Street Journal reports that, despite United CEO Scott Kirby's overtures to such a deal, its rival isn't on board. "American Airlines is not engaged with or interested in any discussions regarding a merger with United Airlines," the former company said of the latter in a Friday statement. American noted such a move would be unfair to consumers and competitors, adding it would be "therefore inconsistent with our understanding of ... principles of antitrust law." The New York Times notes that, thanks to a trio of big mergers within the past couple of decades, four airlines—United, American, Delta, and Southwest—now lord over the air industry, controlling two-thirds of the market.
Apr 14, 2026 5:55 AM CDT
United's CEO is reportedly thinking big—so big it would redraw the global airline map. Bloomberg reports that Scott Kirby has privately floated the idea of combining United Airlines with rival American Airlines to senior US officials, according to people familiar with the talks. There's no indication that a formal process has begun, and both carriers declined comment. News of the pitch lifted American's shares in premarket trading and nudged United's higher as well. A merger would create the world's largest airline, with more than $100 billion in annual revenue and a fleet topping 2,800 planes, but such a deal would face steep antitrust hurdles and resistance from consumer advocates, politicians, and competitors.
It would also mark the largest consolidation move in the industry in more than 10 years, per Reuters, which reports that Kirby met with President Trump personally over the matter in February. The proposal comes as airlines confront tighter oil supplies and higher fuel costs tied to the US-Iran conflict, per Bloomberg. Kirby has signaled he wants United ready to scoop up assets in any industry shakeout and has previously suggested entire airline purchases were on the table. A merger with American—where Kirby once served as president—would also end a long-running turf fight over Chicago's O'Hare and give United access to the biggest US domestic network. Regulators say they're open to consolidation in principle, but they warn that any mega-deal would likely require a close look to prevent one carrier from dominating ticket prices and routes.
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
