Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

United Airlines Expects COVID Recovery Trends to Continue

by Daniel McCarthy  October 19, 2022
United Airlines Expects COVID Recovery Trends to Continue

Photo: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

Even with rising inflation and an increasingly uncertain economic future, consumers are still paying to travel.

On Tuesday, United Airlines said there is no slowdown in consumer travel intent despite high airfares. The carrier, which spoke as part of the company’s third-quarter earnings call, said that it expects “fourth quarter adjusted operating margin to be above 2019 for the first time,” another marker in the continued recovery of the travel industry.

According to United, which achieved operating revenue growth of 13.2% versus third quarter 2019, there are three trends that will continue to drive air travel demand despite those economic headwinds—air travel is still very much in the recovery phase and has not reached its peak, hybrid work continues to give consumers more opportunity to travel for leisure, and supply challenges will continue to limit the industry’s supply “for years to come.”

In a statement, United CEO Scott Kirby thanked employees and emphasized the company’s optimism headed into what is expected to be a busy holiday travel season.

“I am grateful to United employees who delivered an incredible performance this quarter taking care of our customers and producing, by most metrics, the best operational quarter in our history,” he said.

“Despite growing concerns about an economic slowdown, the ongoing COVID recovery trends at United continue to prevail and we remain optimistic that we’ll continue to deliver strong financial results in the fourth quarter, 2023, and beyond.”

The optimism is no surprise for United, a carrier that recently expanded its summer 2023 international schedule because of high interest from consumers.

In fact, United’s third quarter was highlighted by a continued expansion of some key routes, including adding a new direct flight between Newark/New York and Dubai in March 2023 and 120 additional flights for college football season.

The carrier has also launched a new joint venture with Air Canada to give more transborder flight options to customers flying between the two countries.

  
  
Related Articles
Amid Rumors, JetBlue CEO Says Airline Not Interested in Merging with United
JetBlue and United Link Loyalty Programs in New ‘Blue Sky’ Partnership
United Airlines Unveils New Polaris Studio Suites for 787-9s
Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terrible May Continues
United Airlines Cuts 35 Daily Flights From Newark Liberty Over FAA Challenges
Report: JetBlue Negotiating Partnership with United Airlines
United Airlines Expands Pacific Network With New Routes to Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok
United Airlines Increases Lounge Access Fees and Introduces New Membership Tiers
United Opens Second Grab-and-Go Lounge at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport
United Airlines Announces Return to Tel Aviv

MOST VIEWED

  1. La Liste Reveals Top 10 Hotels in the World for 2025
  2. Delta Air Lines Clarifies Schedule Change Policy for Travel Agencies
  3. Certares Takes Full Ownership of Avoya Travel, Andersons Depart
  4. American Airlines Launches First Touchless ID Lanes
  5. Former Virgin Voyages Head of Sales John Diorio Lands New Role at Celestyal
  6. Delta Is Now Requiring Agencies to Acknowledge and Accept Schedule Changes in PNR


  1. 8 Things to Know About Azamara Cruises
  2. Nothing But Clear Skies for the Cruise Industry
  3. Xanterra Travel Collection Names New CIO & Corporate Director of Sales
  4. First Tropical Storm of Hurricane Season Could Hit Caribbean Next Week
  5. ACTA: Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Canada’s Travel Industry Will Be Worse Than Pandemic
  6. South Africa Responds to Updated U.S. State Department Travel Advisory
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth luxury coverage, analysis of luxury news, luxury trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)

Top tour operators talk their best-selling products for 2025.

U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes
U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes

On Friday, March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Burma in Myanmar, with tremors felt in neighboring Thailand and China.

Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises
Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises

Your clients can get free air on select 2025 and 2026 cruise and land journeys.

U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning
U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning

The U.S. State Department has told Americans to “reconsider” travel to Jamaica since July 2024.

What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises
What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises

With its first-ever Arabian Gulf season wrapped up, here’s everything your clients need to know about Celestyal’s offering in the region.

Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO
Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO

The new CEO currently serves as the organization’s CMO.

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
industry spotlight
https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZAyJC8YgIYQ/0.jpg
Why Travel with HX: The Future of Expedition Cruising
Advertiser's Voice
The Collette Premium Experience
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences