United Airlines plans for oil hitting $175 a barrel and staying above $100 next year as industry faces worst shock since COVID

The U.S.-Israel war on Iran has delivered the biggest disruption to the airline industry since the COVID-19 pandemic, and United is bracing for a future where oil prices remain high through 2027.

Not only has the price of oil soared, air traffic to key Middle East airport hubs has been disrupted, forcing planes to take alternate routes that burn more fuel.

In a letter to employees posted on Friday, CEO Scott Kirby pointed out that jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks...