J. Kirby on oil price outlook
From United Airlines CEO Discusses Industry Challenges · · Bloomberg Podcasts
“I've thought for really since mid March that oil was gonna be higher for longer. I continue to think that at some point, I'll be wrong. It'll go down. But it's just hard for me to see any kind of outcome that the straits get reliably and sustainably open. They may open for a little bit, but just the dynamics make it hard for me to think that that's going to happen. So I think this kind of 90 to $110 a barrel, you know, what do I know? I'm airline CEO, but, like, we're planning for that sort of for the indefinite future, that 90 to $110 level.”
On , J. Kirby, Chief Executive Officer & Director at United Airlines Holdings Inc, spoke about oil price outlook during United Airlines CEO Discusses Industry Challenges on Bloomberg Podcasts.
About J. Kirby
Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, has recently discussed several industry challenges in media appearances. In interviews at the International Air Transport Association in Rio de Janeiro, Kirby stated that demand for air travel remains strong, particularly in the U.S., and that the upcoming summer is expected to be a record season. He noted that rising fuel costs are being passed on to customers, with United currently passing through 40 to 50 percent of the increase and aiming for 100 percent by the end of the year. Kirby also said that engine supply constraints, particularly from Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney, are a significant issue, grounding around 900 aircraft globally, and predicted these constraints could limit supply for the next decade. He added that he expects oil prices to remain in the range of $90 to $110 per barrel for the indefinite future. On the CNBC podcast Squawk Pod in April 2026, Kirby responded to President Trump’s comments that he would not support a merger between United and American Airlines, saying United had not commented on consolidation rumors and he would not start doing so. He also discussed United’s goal of building a globally competitive airline and noted that while bookings remain strong, a 15 to 20 percent increase in fares could eventually reduce demand, leading United to pull some capacity by the fourth quarter.