United Airlines CEO makes stark warning about ticket prices [View all]

Despite some upticks whenever there is talk of progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, oil and subsequently jet fuel prices remain at highs unseen in years due to severe disruption to global passage and trade.

As of April 2026, oil prices in the U.S. continue to hover at around $100 a barrel which poses a paritcular problem for airlines that need jet fuel to stay operational.

Airlines such as Delta, Air Canada, KLM and Lufthansa have all canceled less popular routes to optimize jet fuel use while the latter carrier also shut down its regional airline CityLine a year earlier than initially anticipated.

"Yields need to increase by about 15% to 20%": Scott Kirby

The latest airline chief executive to sound the alarm on jet fuel prices is United Airlines' Scott Kirby. In an Apr. 22 appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box", Kirby said that the airline could raise prices on summer fares by as much as 20% to make up for the rising cost of jet fuel.

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/energy/articles/united-airlines-ceo-makes-stark-011930625.html

Once prices go up they rarely come down.