By Alison Sider

Airlines are betting that travelers will help cover soaring jet-fuel bills. Investors are wary.

Airline shares sold off Wednesday after United Airlines said it is assuming fuel prices will be "higher for longer" and cut its guidance for the year. Southwest Airlines said Wednesday evening that its guidance for the year is at risk if fuel prices don't come down. Southwest shares fell 3.7% in after-hours trading.

United said fares are up around 20% from a year ago, and it expects to be able to recapture more and more of the fuel price run-up as the year goes on. So far, executives said consumers are absorbing the higher fares, though CEO Scott Kirby said that could change. Still, United executives said higher fares may not be going anywhere quickly.

"The longer the price of fuel remains in this range and the longer consumers pay these prices and airlines get used to this revenue stream, the more likely it is to stick," Andrew Nocella, United's chief commercial officer, said during the company's earnings call.

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said demand drives fares, and so far, demand remains resilient. "Ultimately, consumers are gonna decide what they are willing to pay and what they aren't, not a formula," he told reporters.

This item is part of a Wall Street Journal live coverage event. The full stream can be found by searching P/WSJL (WSJ Live Coverage).

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 22, 2026 18:36 ET (22:36 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.