A United Airlines executive said the airline is adjusting to address market pressures by raising fares and fees, while also absorbing some costs.
Thursday, May 21, 2026 12:22AMUnited Airlines has a booming presence in the Houston metro area, operating around 60% of the flights into and out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to theThat market share is important because what affects the company, in turn, affects customers in the Houston area.
The average domestic airfare in the U.S. was $336 on Feb. 23, 2026, and it now stands at $383, according to the most recent data from travel search engine"Jet fuel is a major cost element in our overall business structure, so when prices go up 20, 30, 40, 50 percent, especially so rapidly, we've got to do things to try to offset those costs," United Airlines Vice President of Airport Operations Phil Griffith said. Griffith said it includes raising airfare and baggage fees, but the airline also absorbs some of those costs, so customers don't bear the full weight of rising costs in the airline industry.
"We've reduced flying in some cases, particularly on routes that don't have as much load demand, but passing on the costs to customers is what a lot of the airlines have done, and we have followed suit, but we've tried to do it in a responsible way," Griffith said. "Probably more strategically.
I may have to cut down on a trip each year or just monitor prices and strike while the iron is hot, or maybe use those miles I have saved up," David Strumeyer said. Griffith said the airline will continue to invest in ways to limit its dependence on traditional fossil fuels and their price fluctuations, which, in turn, could lower costs for travelers.
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