American Airlines said it is poised to grow revenue this year after absorbing a financial blow from the federal government shutdown and a late-year softening in bookings.
The carrier said Tuesday that systemwide revenue intakes for the first three weeks of 2026 are up double digits year over year, driven by strong performance in the premium cabins and corporate channels. Based on those bookings, officials said, the company expects positive first-quarter unit revenue growth between 7% and 10%.
Executives expect that momentum to continue as American begins to benefit from what they described as years-long investments in its aircraft fleet, network, premium products, and loyalty program. Projections call for nearly $2.00 of improvement in adjusted earnings per diluted share compared to 2025.
“American Airlines is positioned for significant upside in 2026 and beyond,” CEO Robert Isom said in a statement. “We have built a strong foundation, and we look forward to taking advantage of the investments we have made in our customer experience, network, fleet, partnerships, and loyalty program.”
American on Tuesday posted fourth-quarter operating revenue of $12.6 billion, up slightly from the year-ago period, and net income of $99 million, down from $590 million over the same interval. The federal government shutdown – which led to significant delays and cancellations at some of the nation’s largest airports – cost the carrier about $325 million in revenue in the quarter, officials said.
Full-year revenue amounted to $49.6 billion, while net income came out to $111 million.
