United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reportedly discussed the possibility of a merger between United Airlines and American Airlines during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in late February, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
A combination of the two largest U.S. network carriers would represent the biggest airline consolidation in over a decade and significantly reshape an already highly concentrated aviation market.
United Airlines and American Airlines are currently among the world’s largest airlines by capacity, operating in a domestic market dominated by four major players alongside Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines.
The meeting reportedly took place on February 25 during discussions at the White House focused on the future of Dulles International Airport. Sources said the merger idea was raised toward the end of the session.
Kirby is said to have argued that a combined airline would be more competitive internationally, particularly as foreign carriers continue to capture a significant share of long-haul routes involving U.S. passengers.
However, industry officials and legal experts say such a deal would likely face major regulatory challenges, including opposition from unions, competitors, lawmakers, and antitrust authorities, due to concerns over reduced competition, fare increases, and job losses.
A White House source reportedly expressed skepticism about the proposal, citing consumer price concerns and the political sensitivity of rising travel costs.
Seth Bloom noted that the merger would be difficult to approve under existing competition laws, even with a relatively flexible regulatory stance.
Sean Duffy has previously acknowledged potential room for consolidation in the airline sector but warned that any major deal would face strict scrutiny.
American Airlines, which has been under pressure to improve profitability amid high debt levels, declined to comment on the report, as did United Airlines and the White House.
Following the report, American Airlines shares rose in after-hours trading, while United shares remained largely unchanged, reflecting mixed market expectations over the feasibility of such a merger.