US Airlines Post Record Q3 Revenue as Fuel Costs Erode Profits

An October 9, 2026 report showed that US jet fuel prices have continued to rise recently; as of Thursday afternoon, the national average jet fuel price was $4.50 per gallon, and the September average reached a record high of $4.37 per gallon, exceeding April's $4.29. The report said jet fuel price volatility has intensified since the outbreak of the Iran war, and recently climbed further as fighting in the region escalated. Delta Air Lines opens the airlines' third-quarter earnings season on Friday; multiple airlines expect record revenue, but rising fuel costs are offsetting these gains.