United Airlines CEO Reportedly Discussed Possible Merger With American Airlines

Apr 14, 2026

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has reportedly floated a possible combination with rival American Airlines, according to Bloomberg News and other published reports. The reports say Kirby discussed the idea with senior government officials and also raised the potential deal with U.S. President Donald Trump in February.
The news sent both airlines’ shares higher in premarket trading. American Airlines stock also jumped after the report, while United stock rose overnight.
If completed, a merger between United and American would create the largest U.S. airline. One report said the combined carrier could control about a third of the market.

What is being reported about United and American Airlines?

Reports say United CEO Scott Kirby has discussed a possible merger or combination with American Airlines.

Would this deal create a large airline?

Yes. Reports say it would create the largest U.S. airline.

Did the merger actually happen?

No. The reports say it was only discussed, not approved or completed.

How did the stocks react?

Shares of both United and American Airlines rose after the news.

Sources
United Airlines CEO pitched possible combination with rival American, Bloomberg...
Reuters
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby ​has floated a ‌possible combination with rival American Airlines ​Group , Bloomberg ​News reported on Monday, ⁠citing people ​familiar with the ​talks.
Exclusive: United CEO Kirby raised potential tie-up with American in Trump meeti...
Reuters
United Airlines CEO ​Scott Kirby raised ‌the potential of merging with American ​Airlines in ​a meeting with U.S. ⁠President Donald ​Trump in late ​February, two sources told Reuters.
United Airlines Reportedly Floats Merger With American Airlines
Investors Business Daily
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has reportedly discussed the idea of a merger with American Airlines. United Airlines stock rose overnight.
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Market Watch
A published report says that United Airlines has pitched senior government officials on whether it could get permission to merge with American Airlines, a transaction that if completed would lead to carrier controlling a third of the market.
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United, American Airlines climb after news of Kirby floating merger with Trump
Reuters
United Airlines and American Airlines shares rose in premarket trading on Tuesday after United CEO ​Scott Kirby, sources said, pitched the potential for ‌a merger of the two carriers to U.S. President Donald Trump in February.
American Airlines Stock Jumps 5%. United CEO Pitched a Merger, Report Says.
Barrons
American Airlines stock jumped 7% early Tuesday following a report that United Airlines floated the idea of a merger in a meeting with government officials.
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The Guardian
Critics warned of ‘higher ticket prices, more fees, and fewer options' for passengers if two travel giants try to combine
United CEO Has Pitched Possible Tie-Up With American Airlines
Bloomberg Markets and Finance
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has floated a possible combination with American Airlines, according to people familiar with the conversations. Bloomberg's Danny Lee has the latest.
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Investopedia
Shares of United Airlines and American Airlines are taking off on reports of potential merger talks.
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Proactive Investors
United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL, XETRA:UAL1) and American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL, XETRA:A1G) have been drawn into merger speculation following a report first published by Bloomberg, which cited two unnamed sources familiar with the matter as saying that a potential combination betwe...
What a United-American merger would mean, from antitrust hurdles to airfare
CNBC
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reportedly floated the idea of a potential tie-up with American Airlines to Trump administration officials earlier this year. That monster deal would create the world's largest airline but would face major antitrust challenges, analysts said.
United Airlines CEO pitched megamerger with American in White House Trump meetin...
New York Post
Any tie-up would face steep antitrust hurdles in the already highly consolidated domestic airline industry.
American Airlines Stock Surges As United Merger Talk Sparks Investor Excitement
Benzinga
American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) shares jumped on Tuesday as traders latched onto fresh merger chatter in the airline space, with risk appetite improving across equities.
5 things to know about a potential merger of airlines United and American
Market Watch
Even in a White House viewed as business friendly, a United and American combo would be bound to raise some serious concerns.
5 things to know about a potential merger of airlines United and American
Market Watch
Even in a White House viewed as business friendly, a United and American combo would be bound to raise some serious concerns.
Would A United, American Airlines Merger Shake Up The Airline Industry?
Investors Business Daily
United Airlines reportedly proposed an American Airlines merger with President Trump. That would cut the "Big Three" carriers to two.
DOT has no comment on possible United, American Airlines deal
CNBC Television
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reportedly floated the idea of a potential tie-up with rival American Airlines to the Trump administration earlier this year, a suggestion that if acted upon, would create the world's largest airline.
United's chief takes fight with American to White House with merger pitch
Reuters
For more than a decade, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has argued that the U.S. airline industry can support only two true global premium carriers. Now, he has taken that view to the White House — floating the idea of a merger ​with his fiercest rival, American Airlines.
United CEO had been considering a merger last fall, months before bringing it up...
CNBC
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby floated a merger idea with the White House in February. The CEO had been mulling a potential deal last year, according to people familiar with his thinking.
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United Airlines (UAL) is exploring a potential acquisition of American Airlines (AAL), which would create a dominant U.S. carrier with a 34.1% market share. Fleet and network synergies exist, but significant mismatches in fleet legacy, alliance membership, and heavy route overlap present major integ...
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