United's merger push: why Kirby wants American and what it means for your fares

What happened in April

In April 2026, news broke that United CEO Scott Kirby reportedly approached the Trump administration about merging with American and forming a 'flag' carrier for the United States ^[1]. If you fly either airline, the idea would have put two of your options under one name.

The news became public when Trump administration officials, or someone with knowledge of the matter, leaked details of Kirby's approach ^[1]. Kirby said he was disappointed that the plan leaked ^[1].

This piece covers what Kirby proposed, how American and Delta answered, and what the episode means for travelers.

How American responded

American management publicly rejected the merger concept days after the news broke, which led Kirby to publicly make his case for a merger ^[1]. American released a public statement rejecting the idea, and Kirby, who had been texting with American CEO Robert Isom, said he was surprised by it ^[1].

Kirby claims he had talked with American management, which were skeptical but had not said no ^[1]. Isom later said the company spends time on things that have a chance of happening and does not pursue impossibilities ^[2].

Kirby makes his case

After American's public denial, Kirby was at the Amangiri luxury resort in Utah ^[1]. While his wife was at the spa, he began writing a message about why he thought a merger made sense, and it was later published online ^[1].

Kirby said the deal would have been a home run for customers ^[1]. He also said critics view the deal through a traditional commodity lens, and that he is the only person who knows with 100% certainty what United was planning to do ^[1].

The message got a reaction away from the boardroom. In the first month after it was released, strangers at Kirby's kid's soccer games asked him whether the deal was really dead and asked him to buy American ^[1].

Delta said no too

Months later, it came out that Kirby had also approached Delta about a merger ^[1]. People familiar with the matter said Kirby was turned down, as The Wall Street Journal first reported ^[2].

Delta president Peter Carter told CNBC in June that he does not see a merger or acquisition in Delta's future ^[2]. Kirby has floated mergers with American and Delta but has so far been rebuffed ^[2].

Why Kirby wants scale

Kirby has long argued that airfare has become too cheap, and that fare increases from higher oil prices will stick even when oil prices fall ^[1]. He points out that most airlines are not profitable, so fares will need to rise for that to change ^[1].

Regulation is part of the debate. The Sherman Act was used to block the JetBlue and Spirit merger ^[1].

Kirby's history with American

Kirby lives in Dallas and was fired from American over a decade ago ^[1]. United announced it had hired him as president on Aug. 29, 2016, shortly after American disclosed his departure ^[2].

American promoted then-COO Robert Isom to president on the day Kirby's departure was disclosed, the role Kirby had held ^[2]. Isom was named American's CEO in late 2021 ^[2].

United promoted Kirby from president to CEO in May 2020, during the Covid crisis ^[2]. United considered closing its bases at Los Angeles International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, and Kirby said he stopped that idea, so both stayed open ^[2].

What Kirby wants next

Kirby told CNBC he has not changed his stance and is not interested in acquiring a smaller airline such as JetBlue ^[2]. He said any merger would require a willing partner ^[2].

He said he wants to expand United's footprint at New York's JFK airport after the airline returns there through a partnership with JetBlue, as early as next year ^[2]. United could at some point acquire slots from carriers that are not flying profitable routes out of JFK, he said ^[2].