United Airlines to retire aircraft early amid profitability concerns

Chicago-based airline anticipates lower-than-expected profitability results

for the first quarter of the year.

Phasing out 21 planes

According to the report, United Airlines intends to retire its most costly

aircraft due to concerns about lower-than-expected profitability in the first

quarter of 2025. The airline has not specified which aircraft type will be

retired. Simple Flying has reached out to United Airlines for comment.

Commenting on the decision during the Barclays industrial event in March 2025,

the carrier's CEO, Scott Kirby, said:

"Well, what we are doing is retiring 21 aircraft early. That is something that

will be cash-positive this year. "

Although the airline anticipates lower-than-expected profitability for the

first quarter, its full-year 2024 financial results remained positive.

In 2024, the carrier's net income was $3.1 billion, with an adjusted net income

of $3.5 billion. Meanwhile, full-year operating revenues were $57 billion, an

increase of 6.2% year-on-year (YoY). United Airlines pointed out that in 2024,

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