American Airlines Warns of Bigger 2026 Loss as Fuel Costs Rise
WHO:
CNBC - American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, Texas, reported its financial results and revised its outlook.
CNBC - CEO Robert Isom said the airline delivered record third-quarter revenue and its strongest year-over-year revenue growth in his career, led by premium performance.
CNBC - Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines also cut their outlooks.
CNBC - American named a new network chief and made new hires in its operations and commercial teams; it had appointed industry veteran Nat Pieper as commercial chief.
Bloomberg Markets - Siddharth Philip reported on American’s outlook for Bloomberg Television.
WHAT:
One Mile at a Time - American reported that it lost $382 million in the first quarter and earned a net profit of $71 million in the second quarter; combined with its third-quarter loss, it had lost $581 million during the first three quarters.
One Mile at a Time - American’s 2026 earnings-per-share guidance changed from an initial $1.70–$2.70 to -$0.40–$1.10 after first-quarter results, then -$0.65–$0.65 after second-quarter results, and -$1.60–-$1.00 after third-quarter results.
One Mile at a Time - American said its third-quarter revenue was above the high end of its previously announced guidance and that it delivered the best unit-cost performance among network carriers.
One Mile at a Time - American said it paid around $4.4 billion extra in fuel during the first nine months of the year.
One Mile at a Time - Robert Isom said, “our focus remains on restoring profitability and building a stronger American for the long term.”
CNBC - Southwest Airlines forecast adjusted 2026 earnings of $2.60–$2.85 per share, down from its July forecast of $3.25–$4.25 per share.
CNBC - Southwest reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share versus 58 cents expected, and revenue of $8.42 billion versus $8.25 billion expected.
CNBC - Southwest’s average third-quarter passenger fare was $231.69, almost 27% higher than the same quarter of 2025; revenue passengers fell 3.2% to 33.47 million.
CNBC - American forecast an adjusted full-year loss of $1 to $1.60 per share. Its July forecast ranged from earnings of 65 cents per share to a loss of 65 cents per share.
Bloomberg Markets - American cut its full-year outlook for the third time in six months and warned it may further reduce flying if fuel prices stay elevated.
CNBC - American expected an adjusted fourth-quarter loss of 50 cents to $1.10 per share, revenue growth of up to 22.5%, and capacity growth of 5.5% to 6.5%.
CNBC - Third-quarter adjusted loss was 28 cents per share, compared with analysts’ 35-cent estimate; revenue was $16.34 billion, versus $16.22 billion expected.
CNBC - American recorded a third-quarter net loss of $269 million, or 41 cents per share, compared with $114 million, or 17 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue increased 19.3% year over year.
CNBC - Third-quarter fuel costs rose 67.5% year over year to $4.64 billion. The stock fell about 4% in premarket trading.
CNBC - Isom said investments across the airline’s four commercial-strategy pillars were working and it expected another quarter of record revenue growth to close out the year.
CNBC - American was investing in new lounges and refurbished cabins with more premium seats.
WHERE:
CNBC - American Airlines is based in Fort Worth, Texas.
WHY:
CNBC - American cited rising jet-fuel costs for its deeper projected losses and plans to slow capacity growth.
CNBC - Jet fuel, airlines’ largest cost after labor, became more expensive following the start of the Iran war; the price increase also drove airfares up more than 20% year over year.
CNBC - American has trailed profitable competitors Delta and United, while Isom has faced pressure to improve profits.
HOW:
CNBC - American planned to slow next year’s capacity growth in response to higher fuel costs.
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 22:12 UTC)
American Airlines has cut its 2026 outlook for the third time in six months, now forecasting an adjusted loss of $1 to $1.60 per share. The Fort Worth-based carrier blamed soaring jet-fuel costs, which rose nearly 68% year over year in the third quarter, and said it may further reduce flying if prices stay high. American reported a $269 million quarterly net loss, though revenue climbed 19.3% to a record $16.34 billion and topped expectations. Adjusted losses were also smaller than analysts had forecast. The airline said premium demand helped drive growth, and CEO Robert Isom said investments in its commercial strategy were working. American is adding premium seats, upgrading lounges and cabins, and plans to slow capacity growth next year. It also expects a fourth-quarter adjusted loss, while projecting revenue growth of up to 22.5%. Delta, United and Southwest have also lowered their outlooks.
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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 16:22 UTC)
American Airlines has sharply reduced its full-year outlook, projecting an adjusted loss of $1 to $1.60 per share, and warned it may cut flights further if fuel prices remain high. The Fort Worth-based carrier had previously forecast results ranging from a profit of 65 cents per share to a loss of 65 cents. Higher jet-fuel costs drove the downgrade and plans to slow capacity growth next year. In the third quarter, American posted an adjusted loss of 28 cents per share, beating analysts’ expectations, while revenue reached $16.34 billion. But its net loss widened to $269 million, and fuel expenses climbed 67.5% to $4.64 billion. CEO Robert Isom said premium travel helped deliver record quarterly revenue and the strongest year-over-year revenue growth of his career. American is adding premium seats and investing in lounges, while Delta, United and Southwest have also lowered their outlooks.