U.S.-based airline stocks are rising in early trading hours on Monday as the carriers are expecting a record Thanksgiving rush following the end of the travel-disrupting government shutdown. Notably, United Airlines Holdings (UAL), American Airlines Group (AAL), and Delta Air Lines (DAL) are trading higher in pre-market today.
TipRanks Black Friday Sale
- Claim 60% off TipRanks Premium for the data-backed insights and research tools you need to invest with confidence.
- Subscribe to TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks and see our data in action through our high-performing model portfolio - now also 60% off
Airlines Brace for the Busiest Thanksgiving Ever
According to Airlines for America, a group representing the largest U.S. carriers, airlines will transport more than 31 million passengers between November 21 and December 1. The organization also said the busiest travel day is expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with about 3.4 million passengers, followed by Monday after Thanksgiving, with roughly 3.1 million travelers.
Overall, airlines say they’re relieved the government shutdown is finally over. For context, the U.S. government recently shut down as lawmakers failed to agree on funding for the 2026 fiscal year. During the shutdown, thousands of flights were disrupted because air traffic controllers weren’t being paid, leading to delays and cancellations at major airports.
Looking ahead, airlines are urging lawmakers to pass legislation ensuring air traffic controllers get paid during future shutdowns. With the latest funding bill running only through January, the industry hopes to avoid another disruption ahead of winter and spring break travel.
A Strong Holiday Travel Season Ahead
United Airlines reported that bookings from November 15–16 were up 16% compared with the previous weekend, which saw travel disruptions. The airline also said international holiday bookings hit a record, rising 10% from last year, with top destinations including Cancun, London, and Frankfurt. Overall, United expects to fly 6.6 million passengers between November 20 and December 2, marking a 4% increase from last year.
Meanwhile, American Airlines said it plans to operate 80,759 flights from November 20 through December 2, more than any other U.S. carrier.
AAL, DAL, UAL: Which Airline Stock Offers Higher Upside, According to Analysts?
Using TipRanks’ Stock Comparison Tool, we have compared airline stocks to see which stock offers higher upside to investors. Below is a screenshot for reference.
