United Airlines Holdings, Inc.

Overview

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is an airline holding company whose principal business is conducted through United Airlines. It transports passengers and cargo across six continents, with a network built around hubs in major U.S. cities and Guam. Its services include mainline flights, regional flights marketed as United Express, air cargo and the MileagePlus loyalty program. The company states its purpose as “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” [1]+3

United reported $59.1 billion in operating revenue for 2025. It has more than 100,000 employees and serves more than 370 destinations across six continents.[5][6] [1]+5

Products & services

United Airlines Holdings offers passenger air travel through United Airlines and United Express. Its fare and seating products range from Basic Economy and standard United Economy to Economy Plus, which provides extra legroom near the front of the economy cabin. Premium options include United First on eligible routes, United Premium Plus on select long-haul flights, and United Polaris international business class, which offers lie-flat seats and access to dedicated lounges for eligible travelers. Seating and amenities vary by aircraft and route.[2]+2 [2]+10

Geographic presence

United Airlines Holdings operates across six continents, carrying passengers and cargo throughout North America and to destinations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America. Its hubs are at Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Washington Dulles and Guam’s A.B. Won Pat International Airport. Its principal executive office is in Chicago, Illinois.[2][16]

In 2025, domestic routes, defined as the U.S. and Canada, generated $35.0 billion, or approximately 59% of operating revenue. Atlantic routes generated $11.6 billion (approximately 20%), Pacific routes $6.9 billion (approximately 12%), and Latin American routes $5.5 billion (approximately 9%). The company assigns revenue to regions based on the origin and destination of each flight segment.[17][18] [2]+8

Business segments

United Airlines Holdings reports **one operating segment**, encompassing its consolidated airline operations. It does not report passenger, cargo or geographic operations as separate segments; the single segment accounts for 100% of reported operating revenue.[19]

For a view of the business within that segment, 2025 operating revenue was approximately **90.5% passenger**, **3.0% cargo** and **6.5% other**. Cargo includes freight and mail transportation. Other operating revenue includes MileagePlus partner-related revenue and third-party services such as ground handling and maintenance. These are revenue categories, not reportable segments.[20]+3

Geographically, approximately **59.3%** of 2025 operating revenue was attributed to domestic routes (U.S. and Canada), **19.7%** to Atlantic routes, **11.6%** to Pacific routes and **9.4%** to Latin America. These are geographic revenue disclosures rather than separate operating segments.[17][18] [19]+6

Company history

United Airlines traces its origins to Varney Air Lines, which began airmail service in 1926. Varney and other carriers were consolidated into the United Air Lines system by 1931.[23] United merged with Capital Airlines in 1961 and expanded its international network through the acquisition of Pan Am’s Pacific routes in the mid-1980s.[24]

United and its parent filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2002 and emerged in 2006.[25][26] In 2010, United combined with Continental Airlines under a parent named United Continental Holdings; the airlines subsequently integrated their operations.[27][28] The parent adopted the name United Airlines Holdings, Inc. in 2019.[29] [23]+6

Sources

• United Airlines Holdings, Inc. — Full financial report (2025 Y)
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