07:09 AM EDT, 03/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- United Airlines (UAL) Chief Executive Scott Kirby said Friday, in a staff memo, that it plans to cut additional unprofitable flights over the next two quarters as the Iran war pushes jet fuel prices sharply higher and threatens to keep oil above $100 per barrel through 2027.

Kirby warned oil could reach $175 a barrel, potentially raising United's annual fuel bill by about $11 billion, which is more than double the airline's profit in its best year.

The carrier will trim roughly five percentage points of planned capacity in the short term, including about three points in off-peak flying and a reduction from its Chicago O'Hare hub, while keeping Tel Aviv and Dubai routes suspended, Kirby said.

Kirby added that United expects to restore its full schedule by fall but is prioritizing profitability if fuel costs remain elevated.

United shares were 3.8% higher during Monday's premarket.