Business Model Library
Beta. Revenue comes from cited filings. Unknown values stay pending; shares are computed from the filing.
Home › Companies › United Airlines Holdings

How United Airlines Holdings Makes Money (2026)

United Airlines Holdings makes money mainly from Passenger. Its FY2025 total revenue was $59,070 million ($59.1 billion), with Passenger the biggest disclosed revenue line at $53,438 million ($53.4 billion) and 90.5% of total revenue (computed from the 10-K FY2025). United’s loyalty program connects airline customers with purchases from non-airline partners.

Last checked 2026-10-18 on the official pages.

Revenue breakdown

Amounts in millions of USD. Shares are computed from the filing.

The hidden model

United’s loyalty program connects airline customers with purchases from non-airline partners.

United’s loyalty program connects airline customers with purchases from non-airline partners. verified

Members can also earn miles by purchasing goods and services from our network of non-airline partners, such as domestic and international credit card issuers, retail merchants, hotels and car rental companies.

Evidence source ↗

United presented its own MileagePlus valuation using an EBITDA multiple. verified

Multiplying MPH 2019 EBITDA by a factor of 12 equates to a MileagePlus valuation of approximately $21.9 billion.

Evidence source ↗

The proposed financing involved contributing program brands and member data. verified

United and MPH will contribute to MIPA their respective rights to certain MileagePlus intellectual property, including brands and member data.

Evidence source ↗

Business models

Loyalty and stored value

Watch the episode

Why Airline Miles Were Priced Higher Than the Airline ✈️

Why airline loyalty programs were valued higher than the airlines themselves in 2020.

Premieres 19 Oct 2026, 17:00 CEST (Europe/Copenhagen) ↗

The Business Engine channel ↗

Related companies

Business model comparisons

Filter revenue mixes in the explorer

Frequently asked questions

How does United Airlines Holdings make money?

United Airlines Holdings makes money mainly from Passenger. Its FY2025 total revenue was $59,070 million ($59.1 billion), with Passenger the biggest disclosed revenue line at $53,438 million ($53.4 billion) and 90.5% of total revenue (computed from the 10-K FY2025). United’s loyalty program connects airline customers with purchases from non-airline partners.

What is United Airlines Holdings’ business model?

United Airlines Holdings’ business model is Loyalty and Stored Value. A business sells rewards to partners or collects customer cash before redemption. Deferred obligations and repeat engagement become part of its economics; redemption terms determine the eventual cost. United’s loyalty program connects airline customers with purchases from non-airline partners.

What is United Airlines Holdings’ hidden model?

United’s loyalty program connects airline customers with purchases from non-airline partners.