---
title: "United Airlines explored merger with Delta before talks ended: WSJ"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/293852308.md"
description: "United Airlines explored a merger with Delta Air Lines last year, but preliminary talks ended without progress. CEO Scott Kirby approached Delta's Ed Bastian, and while Delta reviewed the proposal, both carriers decided not to pursue it. The potential deal would have combined the two most valuable U.S. airlines, likely facing intense antitrust scrutiny given their dominant market position and high profitability."
datetime: "2026-07-26T19:54:21.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/293852308.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293852308.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/293852308.md)
---

# United Airlines explored merger with Delta before talks ended: WSJ

United Airlines (UAL) quietly explored a merger with Delta Air Lines last year, but preliminary discussions between the two carriers ended without progressing, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. United (UAL) CEO Scott Kirby approached Delta (DAL) CEO Ed Bastian about a potential merger, and Delta reviewed the proposal before both companies ul...

### Related Stocks

- [UAL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UAL.US.md)
- [DAL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DAL.US.md)

## Related News & Research

- [United Airlines Pitched a Merger With Delta Before Its Failed American Airlines Bid: Report](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293908642.md)
- [United Airlines backs more than $20 billion Washington Dulles expansion plan](https://longbridge.com/en/news/294251108.md)
- [Delta joins opening of SAF blending facility serving Minneapolis-St. Paul hub, targets 30 million gallons annually](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293975959.md)
- [Delta's profits vs. GE's premiums: Is the market mispricing these 2 stocks?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/294175244.md)
- [United Airlines Non-GAAP EPS of $1.99 beats by $0.14, revenue of $17.7B beats by $130M](https://longbridge.com/en/news/292811766.md)