Story perspectives

United Halts Merger Bid After American Blocks Deal

4/29/2026

Summary

United Ends Merger

United announced it is ending its merger pursuit after American rebuffed approach.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said a United merger would be anti-competitive, a non-starter.
United CEO Scott Kirby said an airline could create tens of thousands of jobs.
United stock fell 1.18% to $91.90 as American stock dropped 3.47% to $11.68.
American may partner with Alaska Airlines or acquire Spirit assets, which could involve $500 million in federal assistance.

Summary

United Cuts Outlook

United Airlines cut its full-year profit outlook to $7-$11 per share because jet-fuel costs doubled since late February.
Q1 revenue and earnings per share beat analysts’ forecasts, showing resilience despite the merger setback and the FAA’s order to cut 300 peak-summer flights at O’Hare.
Analysts raised price targets to $130 (BMO Capital), $135 (UBS) and near $121, with the stock closing at $91.90, down 1.18% and about 17% year-to-date.

History

Historical Context

In 1990 the U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Richard Thornburgh, blocked a $1.5 billion American Airlines-US Airways merger, preserving competition in more than 150 cities. The agency later sued to halt the 2013 American-US Airways combination, which settled in November before closing in December. Today United’s stalled merger talks echo that same antitrust vigilance.

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United Ends Merger

United announced it is ending its merger pursuit after American rebuffed approach.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said a United merger would be anti-competitive, a non-starter.
United CEO Scott Kirby said an airline could create tens of thousands of jobs.
United stock fell 1.18% to $91.90 as American stock dropped 3.47% to $11.68.
American may partner with Alaska Airlines or acquire Spirit assets, which could involve $500 million in federal assistance.

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