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Scott Kirby has backed down on any potential United Airlines merger in the foreseeable future, just weeks after he mooted that a merger between 
American Airlines and 
United Airlines could work. Chief Executive Officer at United, Kirby previously worked for American Airlines, and Kirby’s comments suggested that the only ‘big transaction’ that would make sense for United to pursue purchasing or merging with another airline would be that of Fort Worth-based American Airlines.
Kirby recently spoke at the Bernstein investor conference, a three-day conference from Wednesday, May 27, 2026, through Friday, May 29, 2026, at the New York Hilton Midtown, where, as reported by Reuters, he mentioned that American Airlines would be the only sensible choice for an airline merger; United did not have a ‘willing partner’ in AA.
No United Airlines Mergers For The ‘Foreseeable Future’
According to Kirby, United has refused to engage in a conversation between the two rival airlines about a potential merger. This comes after a meeting between Kirby and United States President Donald Trump, suggesting that if United and American were to merge would be the largest airline consolidation move in the last decade.
The current Chief Executive Officer at American Airlines, Robert Isom, has rejected the idea of a merger between the two carriers, noting that it would be bad for customers and would create a less competitive environment. Isom has used the term that the two airlines will continue to be ‘roommates’, but not ‘getting married’. American Airlines is continuing to grow its network on United’s home ground, with a fierce turf war taking place at 
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
Kirby has also shrugged off the idea that JetBlue is a potential candidate for a merger with United. The airline CEO has noted that the JetBlue profitability margin would need to increase by around 25% points to make the deal credible. A figure Kirby has claimed is ‘mathematically impossible’.
Low-Cost Margins Are Too Slim, According To Kirby
Making the numbers work for United to merge with an ultra-low-cost or low-cost carrier is challenging, as Kirby noted that the budget carriers work towards materially smaller margins due to increasing airport and operational costs, and competition from larger airlines, which force the no-frills airlines into niche markets where the business model works.
For United, Kirby is confident that the 
Star Alliance carrier is able to reach its double-digit pre-tax margins in the next year. While the cost of oil remains turbulent, the airline’s CEO says that these increased costs would be a hurdle to full recovery. Price sensitivity in this sector remains likely.
Capacity has been reduced on some United services, in a bid to save cash on unprofitable routes or services. Kirby reassured listeners at the Bernstein conference that this does not change the airline’s overall strategy, but instead is where airlines can make sensible choices to remain profitable (something that is being seen across the international aviation industry in the midst of the 2026 Iran Crisis).
United-American Merger: CEO Kirby Proposes World’s Biggest Airline To Trump
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An ‘Idiotic’ Idea To Pursue A Smaller Airline Deal
When questioned at the conference whether a smaller airline deal may be on the cards for United, Kirby quickly responded that any idea as such would be ‘idiotic’ and ‘definitely not the plan’ for United. This has firmly put the idea to bed that United will be pursuing any immediate airline acquisitions or mergers for the time being.
United Airlines remains the largest airline in the world by fleet size, with more than 1,100 mainline aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the Star Alliance, and its fleet is a mix of narrowbody Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and all Boeing widebody airplanes.
The airline has been subject to speculation for many years that its appetite to acquire other US carriers could be on the horizon. While JetBlue has long been suggested as the perfect partner, Kirby continues to reject the idea that it would work, and American Airlines is showing no interest in the two airlines ever partnering up.
