American Airlines and JetBlue report third-quarter losses

American Airlines reported a net loss of $580 million for the first nine months of 2026, a significant reversal from the $12 million profit recorded during the same period in 2025. In the third quarter alone, the carrier faced losses of $269 million. While operational revenues grew by 19.3% to $16.335 billion, this was offset by a 19.8% rise in operating expenses. CEO Robert Isom attributed the financial pressure primarily to rising fuel costs, which increased by 67.5% to $4.635 billion.

JetBlue also reported a third-quarter net loss of $257 million, compared to a $143 million loss the previous year. The airline saw fuel costs climb 61% to $868 million. Despite the losses, JetBlue noted that strong travel demand and a 19% increase in average ticket prices helped revenue reach $2.81 billion. The company is currently executing a multi-year recovery plan and working with senior creditors on restructuring efforts, aiming for positive free cash flow by 2028.