American Profits Plunge 88% In Q2, Airline Likely To Lose Money In 2026 - One Mile at a Time

What the report says

One Mile at a Time reported that American Airlines’ second-quarter 2026 results showed a sharp deterioration in profitability, despite a broader industry environment in which major U.S. carriers have been posting strong revenue while facing higher costs. The site said American recorded net income of $71 million for Q2 2026, down 88.1% from $599 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

The report contrasted American’s performance with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, saying Delta’s second-quarter net income fell about 25% year over year to roughly $1.6 billion, while United’s declined about 17% to $805 million. It also noted that American lost $382 million in the first quarter of 2026, leaving it with a first-half loss of $311 million after what the article described as the airline’s historically strongest quarter.

According to the report, American also lowered its full-year 2026 earnings guidance to a range of minus $0.65 to plus $0.65 per share. That was down from prior guidance of minus $0.40 to plus $1.10, and from an initial 2026 outlook of $1.70 to $2.70 per share. One Mile at a Time argued that, given the first-half loss and prior-year losses in later quarters, American now appears unlikely to post a full-year profit.

The article framed the results as part of a widening gap between American and its largest U.S. rivals. It also provided industry context, citing elevated jet fuel prices and higher fares as major factors shaping airline earnings in 2026.