U.S. airlines are facing a challenging financial landscape as rising fuel prices, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Iran, significantly impact profits. United Airlines, despite experiencing record passenger numbers and revenue in the first quarter, cut its profit forecast from $12 to $14 per share down to $7 to $11. Alaska Air has completely withdrawn its earnings outlook, citing uncertainty due to soaring fuel costs. Delta Air Lines has also scrapped its planned growth for the quarter, reducing capacity by more than 3.5%. Fuel prices have surged to approximately $4.10 to $4.15 per gallon, nearly double the first quarter's price of $2.73. This surge in costs is forcing airlines to cut flights, particularly on lower-margin routes, as they struggle to pass these expenses onto consumers. While fare increases have been implemented, they lag behind the rapid rise in fuel prices, leaving many passengers who booked flights before the spike facing higher costs without immediate relief.