United CEO reportedly floated merger with Delta Air Lines

United Airlines reportedly approached Delta Air Lines last year about a potential merger that would have combined two of the largest U.S. carriers.

United CEO Scott Kirby contacted Delta CEO Ed Bastian to pitch the potential tie-up, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

According to the outlet, leadership at Delta discussed the proposal and evaluated the potential benefits as part of “preliminary due diligence,” but the talks did not advance, and both airlines ultimately moved on.

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A United Airlines Boeing 777 lands at Newark Liberty International Airport on Jan. 29, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. United Airlines reportedly approached Delta Air Lines last year about a potential merger. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

A United spokesperson told FOX Business the airline had “nothing to share.” Delta declined to comment.

A merger between United and Delta would have had sweeping implications for the airline industry and likely faced scrutiny from federal antitrust regulators and state attorneys general, according to The Wall Street Journal.

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A Delta Air Lines Airbus A220-100 approaches John F. Kennedy International Airport with its landing gear down on Nov. 14, 2019, in New York City. United CEO Scott Kirby reportedly contacted Delta CEO Ed Bastian to pitch the potential tie-up. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The previously unreported talks come as United works to expand its global reach.

Kirby also reportedly explored a possible merger with American Airlines earlier this year. However, American rejected the proposal, and CEO Robert Isom criticized the idea as “anticompetitive,” the WSJ reported.

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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby speaks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 9, 2025. Kirby has since downplayed the likelihood that United will pursue a major merger.  (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Kirby has since downplayed the likelihood that United will pursue a major merger. 

Last month, Kirby told Reuters that United remained open to buying airport slots, gates and other assets, but said a major consolidation deal was unlikely.

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“I think consolidation is unlikely for United,” Kirby said at the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro. “That doesn’t mean we won’t still be in the market to buy assets, but consolidation is a low probability.”

Reuters contributed to this report.