United Airlines Holdings Inc. predicted first-quarter profit well ahead of Wall Street’s estimates as the carrier capitalizes on unusually strong demand for premium and international travel during the winter months.

Adjusted earnings will be 75 cents to $1.25 a share in the current period, the airline said late Tuesday while reporting better-than-expected earnings for the final months of 2024. Even at the low end, the forecast tops the 56 cents expected on average by analysts.

Workers replace an electrical cable on a Boeing 777-200 airplane in a United Airlines maintenance hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, US, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. United Airlines Holdings Inc.'s shares rose.

“United reported an impressive set of results,” Tom Fitzgerald, a TD Cowen analyst, said in a note. “United is navigating the higher operating cost environment well and making the right investments.”

The carrier’s shares rose 4% before the start of regular trading Wednesday in New York, lifting the stocks of rivals American Airlines Group Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. A post-earnings bounce would add to United’s 135% rally last year.

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