United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has raised the possibility of a merger with American Airlines in discussions with US government officials, according to reports by Reuters and Bloomberg, a move that would reshape the global airline industry if pursued.
The conversations, which reportedly took place in recent months and included a meeting with President Donald Trump in late February, did not amount to a formal proposal. It remains unclear whether United has approached American directly or initiated any structured process toward a deal.
Neither airline has commented publicly on the reports.
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A combination of United and American would create by far the largest airline group in the world. Together, the two carriers already rank among the biggest globally by capacity, and a merger would result in a fleet exceeding 3,200 commercial aircraft, including around 1,000 Boeing 737 jets.
Kirby is said to have argued that a combined airline would be better positioned to compete internationally, particularly as foreign carriers account for a large share of long-haul capacity to and from the United States.
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The idea would also mark the most significant consolidation move in the US airline sector in more than a decade. The domestic market is already dominated by four major carriers — American, Delta Air Lines, United and Southwest Airlines — which together control most passenger traffic.
Even so, industry observers see steep obstacles. Antitrust concerns would likely dominate any review, with regulators expected to examine the impact on competition, fares and route overlap. Opposition could also come from labor unions, rival airlines and airport authorities.
Analysts note that fewer large carriers could reduce competition and increase pricing power, a sensitive issue at a time when policymakers remain focused on consumer costs.
American Airlines’ financial position adds another layer to the discussion. The carrier has faced pressure to improve profitability and reduce a debt load of roughly $25 billion, while working to close the gap with Delta and United. By contrast, United has projected a stronger outlook, with Kirby suggesting recently that periods of higher costs could allow larger, more resilient airlines to expand their market position.
Despite the scale of the idea, sources indicated there is skepticism within government circles about approving such a transaction, given its potential impact on ticket prices and competition.
