American Airlines has dismissed the idea of a merger with United Airlines, saying it is neither engaged in nor interested in any discussions about combining the two largest U.S. carriers.
The statement follows reports that United’s chief executive, Scott Kirby, raised the possibility of a tie-up during a meeting with officials in the administration of Donald Trump earlier this year.
“While changes in the broader airline marketplace may be necessary, a combination with United would be negative for competition and for consumers,” American Airlines said. The Fort Worth-based carrier added that such a deal would be inconsistent with its understanding of the administration’s antitrust approach and said its focus remains on executing its existing strategy.
United Airlines declined to comment on the reports.
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A merger between the two airlines would create a carrier with a fleet exceeding 3,200 aircraft, roughly twice the size of the next-largest U.S. competitor, and would likely face intense regulatory scrutiny. Antitrust specialists say that even if federal authorities were inclined to approve such a deal, it could still be challenged by state attorneys general.
The White House has so far distanced itself from the idea. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is not currently considering or expressing a view on a potential merger.
Some industry analysts have also questioned whether the proposal was serious, suggesting it could instead be part of a broader strategic positioning by United to pursue a smaller acquisition, such as JetBlue Airways.
See also: How large could a combined United–American airline become?
The U.S. airline sector is already highly consolidated following a wave of mergers between 2008 and 2013. Today, American, United, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines control more than two-thirds of the domestic market, with dominant positions at many major airports.
By available seat capacity, American and United were already the world’s two largest airlines in 2025, making any potential combination one of the most significant consolidation moves in the industry in more than a decade.
