United to Shrink Corporate Workforce

The airline says A.I. is making processes more efficient.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 02:34 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A United Boeing 737 MAX 9. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Key Takeaways:

United Airlines is reducing its corporate workforce, having cut 4% this year and planning another 4% reduction in 2026.
These workforce reductions are primarily driven by process improvements and increased efficiency, largely enabled by AI technology.
United's CFO stated that AI is being utilized to make the headquarters management team more efficient, alongside other tech upgrades for operations and maintenance.
This trend extends beyond United, with other airlines like Lufthansa also planning significant job cuts by 2030 due to efficiency boosts from AI.

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United is planning to further shrink its corporate workforce next year, citing process improvements enabled by AI.

During a third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, the Chicago-based carrier said its corporate workforce was reduced by 4% this year. In 2026, this trend is slated to continue with a 4% reduction.

“We’re not just looking to make our operation more efficient,” United CFO Mike Leskinen said during the call. “We’re making process changes and using AI to make the work of our headquarters management team more efficient too.”

Leskinen noted other tech upgrades, including for operations and maintenance.

Other airlines have echoed United’s comments about A.I. By 2030, Lufthansa said it will cut 4,000 jobs as the airline looks to boost efficiency.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.