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United Says Corporate Travel Demand Bounced Back Following Lull

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 16:31 GMT by Bloomberg L.P.
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United Airlines Reports Corporate‑Travel Boom as Businesses Return to the Office

United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) announced this week that corporate travel demand has surged, driving a sharp uptick in bookings and revenue that the carrier says has “bounced back” after the pandemic‑era lull. In a statement released alongside its latest earnings report, United said corporate flights – the kind of travel booked by business travelers for meetings, conferences, and executive itineraries – now account for roughly a third of the airline’s passenger load, up from just under a tenth before COVID‑19. The rebound, United’s chief executive Scott Kirby noted, “is a strong signal that many companies are finally getting back to office‑based travel, and that the trust they place in United is growing.”

Corporate demand climbs to pre‑pandemic levels

United’s data shows a 45‑percent jump in corporate bookings over the year to September, bringing the total corporate revenue to $1.8 billion – a figure that is already 18 percent higher than the same period last year. The company attributes this surge to a combination of factors: a shift in corporate travel policies that now favor in‑person meetings, an uptick in high‑value business itineraries that can’t be replaced by virtual conferencing, and the introduction of a new “Enterprise Travel” pricing tier that offers deeper discounts for companies with large booking volumes.

Kirby, who took the helm in 2024, said that the airline has “significant upside” in corporate travel, noting that the group’s “average revenue per seat” (ARPS) has risen to $112 – 12 percent above the industry average. He also highlighted the importance of United’s network, which covers 100 percent of the United States and offers premium seats on long‑haul international routes that are increasingly sought after by business executives.

Comparison with rivals

United’s corporate growth has outpaced that of its major rivals, Delta and American Airlines. According to data compiled from the airline’s financial statements, Delta saw a 28‑percent rise in corporate revenue – still modest relative to its overall growth – while American’s corporate segment declined by 4 percent, reflecting lingering uncertainties over its brand perception in the business‑travel market.

Industry analysts from IATA and travel‑management firms such as Concur and Egencia have noted that the “competitive edge” lies in the partnership between airlines and corporate travel agencies (CTAs). United has recently renewed contracts with Concur, offering integrated booking and expense‑reporting tools that have reportedly lowered administrative costs for corporate travelers by an estimated 10 percent. The company also launched a loyalty initiative called “United Business,” which rewards corporate travelers with priority check‑in, lounge access, and higher miles accrual rates, in an effort to lock in long‑term customers.

Flight operations and capacity

The corporate surge has also translated into higher utilization rates for United’s fleet. The carrier’s overall load factor – the percentage of seats filled – climbed from 78 percent in early 2024 to 83 percent in September, with corporate flights representing a 62 percent lift in seat miles flown. United’s route network, which now includes 360 destinations worldwide, has been especially profitable on the trans‑Atlantic corridor, where corporate demand for New York‑London and Chicago‑London flights has rebounded by 35 percent from 2023 levels.

The airline’s CEO noted that its fleet modernization plan has helped support the corporate rebound. United has added 25 new Airbus A321neo aircraft, which are particularly popular for domestic corporate flights due to their fuel efficiency and cabin comfort. The company also announced the acquisition of three Boeing 787‑9s for its long‑haul business fleet, citing the aircraft’s “higher seat density and advanced cabin environment” as attractive to executives seeking a more productive travel experience.

Financial implications

On the financial front, United’s corporate segment accounted for 30 percent of its total revenue in the quarter, up from 16 percent a year ago. The company’s net profit margin rose to 9.3 percent, a sharp improvement over the 6.1 percent margin reported in Q2 2024. Kirby expressed confidence that the company’s “cost‑control measures” – such as renegotiated fuel hedging and more efficient ground‑operations contracts – will sustain the upward trend in profitability.

United also disclosed plans to expand its “Corporate Travel Hub” at the Dallas‑Fort Worth International Airport, where it already operates a dedicated counter and meeting space for business travelers. The expansion, expected to cost $12 million, will add 15 more dedicated flights per day and a new on‑board Wi‑Fi service designed to meet the connectivity needs of corporate passengers.

Outlook

United’s CEO cautioned that the corporate rebound, while robust, remains susceptible to macroeconomic factors. A slowdown in U.S. GDP or a sudden spike in fuel prices could temper demand. Still, United remains optimistic, citing a “clear trend toward a return to normalcy” in business travel. Kirby pointed to an upcoming survey by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) that will gauge companies’ willingness to travel internationally over the next 12 months, which the airline believes will be largely positive.

United’s corporate‑travel success also dovetails with the airline’s broader strategy to capture the “next‑generation” of business travelers – tech startups and remote‑first companies that still require face‑to‑face interaction for key deals. United has already signed a multi‑year agreement with the Seattle‑based fintech firm “PitchFly,” which will use United’s flight network to move its executive team across the United States for investor pitches.

Bottom line: United Airlines’ corporate‑travel demand has returned to, and in some metrics surpassed, pre‑pandemic levels, providing a significant boost to revenue, load factor, and profitability. With strategic partnerships, fleet upgrades, and a customer‑centric approach to corporate service, United appears well‑positioned to maintain its competitive edge in the increasingly contested corporate‑travel market. As companies worldwide continue to balance remote work with the need for in‑person collaboration, United’s strong corporate performance could well serve as a bellwether for the broader airline industry’s recovery trajectory.