Photo Credit: A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Vincenzo Pace
Southwest Airlines is cutting its profit outlook for 2026 as it anticipates paying as much as $4.55 a gallon for jet fuel in the fourth quarter.
The carrier now expects adjusted earnings per share this year to range between $2.60 and $2.85. Previously, Southwest forecasted adjusted earnings of $4 and had held off on changing guidance for much of the year due to the volatility of fuel prices.
It is also anticipating adjusted earnings in the fourth quarter to range from 55 cents to 80 ce