United Airlines CEO pitched the potential for merging w/ American Airlines

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby pitched the potential for merging with American Airlines in a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in late February, two sources said, raising the prospect of an industry-reshaping deal likely to face significant regulatory hurdles.



A combination of two of the largest U.S. network carriers would mark the biggest consolidation move in more than a decade, further tightening a domestic market already dominated by four similarly sized players.



Including international flights, United and American were already the world's two largest airlines by available capacity in 2025, according to OAG data.



The meeting with Trump took place on February 25 toward the end of a scheduled White House meeting on the future of Dulles airport, said the sources with knowledge of the matter.



Kirby has argued to administration officials that a combined airline would be a stronger competitor in international markets and noted the Trump administration has focused on U.S. trade deficits around the globe, the sources said.



Industry officials said the chances of the deal's approval would be slim, citing likely opposition from unions, rival airlines, lawmakers and airports, as well as concerns about route overlap and job losses.