CHICAGO, Oct 15 (Reuters) - United Airlines on

Wednesday forecast a higher-than-expected profit in the fourth

quarter on the back of robust demand for premium travel and

improved pricing power.

The Chicago-based airline expects an adjusted profit in the

range of $3.00 a share to $3.50 per share in the quarter through

December. The midpoint of the forecast is $3.25 per share,

compared with analysts' average estimate of $2.86, according to

LSEG data.

United's third-quarter adjusted profit came in at $2.78 a

share, topping analysts' expectations of $2.63 a share.