United Airlines goes from 'the doghouse' to record stock price
United Airlines UAL ' shares have hit a record high, a dramatic turnaround for the third-largest U.S. airline that has weathered a rash of public relations disasters and investors who fretted the carrier's growth plan would spark a fare war with competitors and a surge in expenses. United Continental Holdings' stock closed at an all-time high of $89.58 on Thursday and shares of the third-largest U.S. airline's parent were on track to hit another record Friday, trading up 0.7 percent around 3 p.m. American Airlines AAL shares are down more than 23 percent, while Delta Air Lines DAL is up 3.5 percent this year.