US airlines' trans Atlantic market softens as Brexit looms

The trans Atlantic was the best performing international entity for the three large global US airlines in 2018. But some softness is surfacing in the market in early 2019.

Both Delta Air Lines and United are warning that challenges are arising on trans Atlantic routes after their respective unit revenue performance in those markets during 4Q2018 fell drastically from strong results posted earlier in the year. And with growing uncertainty over the fate of Brexit, headwinds in the trans Atlantic market could intensify as 2019 progresses.

Delta has previously stated that the bulk of its capacity growth in 2019 would be geared toward international expansion, but given some of the weakness in the trans Atlantic, the airline has decided that to adjust capacity in those markets after the US' peak summer travel season.