US Airlines Post $16 Million Q2 2026 Net Gain, Down Sharply Year on Year

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) data show the 22 scheduled US passenger airlines reported a Q2 2026 after-tax net gain of $16 million and a pre-tax operating profit of $3.0 billion, versus a $4.0 billion after-tax net gain and $5.0 billion pre-tax operating gain in Q2 2025. Total Q2 2026 operating revenue was $75.6 billion, with fares at $55.9 billion (73.9% of revenue); total operating expenses were $72.6 billion. Domestic operations posted a $484 million after-tax net loss, while international operations posted a $500 million after-tax net gain. Systemwide net margin fell to 0.0% and operating margin to 4.0%.