American Airlines Faces Challenges in Turnaround Efforts
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1d ago
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Leadership Scrutiny: Pilot and flight attendant unions have raised concerns about CEO Robert Isom's leadership, citing underperformance in financial and operational metrics that have led to reduced profit-sharing for employees, negatively impacting morale.
- Profitability Decline: American Airlines reported a profit of $111 million in 2025, which pales in comparison to Delta Air Lines' $5 billion and United Airlines' $3.3 billion profits, highlighting a significant gap in market competitiveness.
- Transformation Strategy: Isom has outlined a strategy focused on enhancing customer service and revenue management, expressing optimism for 2026 despite challenges posed by winter storms, and emphasizing the need for accountability from senior leadership and teamwork.
- Intensified Market Competition: American Airlines faces fierce competition at major hubs like Chicago and Charlotte, particularly against United Airlines, with analysts questioning whether the current strategy will effectively close the performance gap with peers, indicating a long road ahead for transformation.
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Analyst Views on DAL
Wall Street analysts forecast DAL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for DAL is 81.36 USD with a low forecast of 69.00 USD and a high forecast of 90.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
16 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 69.780
Low
69.00
Averages
81.36
High
90.00
Current: 69.780
Low
69.00
Averages
81.36
High
90.00
About DAL
Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo throughout the United States and around the world. The Company has hubs and markets in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bogota, Boston, Detroit, Lima, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo, Seattle, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Its segments include Airline and Refinery. Its airline segment is managed as a single business unit that provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo throughout the United States and around the world and includes its loyalty program, as well as other ancillary businesses. Its refinery segment operates for the benefit of the airline segment by providing jet fuel to the airline segment from its own production and through jet fuel obtained through agreements with third parties. The refinery's production consists of jet fuel as well as non-jet fuel products.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
American Airlines Faces Challenges in Turnaround Efforts
- Leadership Scrutiny: Pilot and flight attendant unions have raised concerns about CEO Robert Isom's leadership, citing underperformance in financial and operational metrics that have led to reduced profit-sharing for employees, negatively impacting morale.
- Profitability Decline: American Airlines reported a profit of $111 million in 2025, which pales in comparison to Delta Air Lines' $5 billion and United Airlines' $3.3 billion profits, highlighting a significant gap in market competitiveness.
- Transformation Strategy: Isom has outlined a strategy focused on enhancing customer service and revenue management, expressing optimism for 2026 despite challenges posed by winter storms, and emphasizing the need for accountability from senior leadership and teamwork.
- Intensified Market Competition: American Airlines faces fierce competition at major hubs like Chicago and Charlotte, particularly against United Airlines, with analysts questioning whether the current strategy will effectively close the performance gap with peers, indicating a long road ahead for transformation.
See More
AI-Exposed Stocks Face Challenges Amid Market Shift
- Market Sentiment Shift: As fears grow that artificial intelligence could disrupt demand rather than enhance it, software and AI-exposed stocks have faced significant sell-offs at the start of 2023, particularly in February, leading investors to reassess their risk exposure.
- Capital Flow Changes: Goldman Sachs equity strategist Ben Snider indicates that capital is rotating towards sectors perceived as insulated from AI disruption, marking a clear departure from last year's market strategies and reflecting diminished investor confidence in AI themes.
- Cyclical Industry Rally: Despite software stocks experiencing one of their worst weeks since the 2022 rate-hike panic, cyclical and consumer-linked industries have continued their recent rallies, indicating a growing preference for traditional sectors among investors.
- Strong Dow Jones Performance: Amid the decline in software stocks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has rallied towards all-time highs, suggesting increased investor confidence in industries tied to physical assets and cyclical activity, further emphasizing the market's demand for safety from AI-driven productivity risks.
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American Airlines Profits Lag Behind Rivals Significantly
- Profit Comparison: American Airlines reported only $111 million in profit last year, significantly trailing Delta Air Lines' $5 billion and United Airlines' over $3.3 billion, indicating a lack of competitiveness that may impact investor confidence.
- Leadership Scrutiny: The airline's poor performance has led pilot and flight attendant unions to question CEO Robert Isom's leadership, arguing that the company has failed to define an effective strategy to correct its course, resulting in employee disappointment about the future.
- Transformation Challenges: American Airlines is attempting to boost revenue through premium product offerings, despite sluggish growth in economy cabin revenue; Isom stated that by 2026, half of the company's revenue is expected to come from
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- Transportation Shares Movement: Recent activity in transportation stocks indicates potential for continued stock market rally despite recent downturns.
- Market Resilience: The resilience of transportation shares suggests that investor confidence may remain strong, supporting overall market performance.
- Stock Market Dynamics: The interplay between transportation stocks and broader market trends highlights the importance of sector performance in stock market recovery.
- Investor Sentiment: Positive movements in specific sectors like transportation can influence overall investor sentiment and market outlook.
See More
Delta Air Lines Officer Plans to Sell $11.78 Million in Common Stock, According to Form 144
Delta Airlines Stock Sale: Officer Haunstein Glean intends to sell 165,860 shares of Delta Airlines common stock on February 6, with a total market value of approximately $11.78 million.
Reduction in Shareholding: Haunstein Glean has reduced his shareholding in Delta Airlines by 33,576 shares since January 14, 2026, with a total value of around $2.36 million.
See More
Delta Air Lines Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Delta Air Lines' Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.1875 per share, with a record date of February 26, 2026, and a payment date of March 19, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Customer Service Innovation: In 2025, Delta served over 200 million customers and was recognized by J.D. Power for achieving the highest satisfaction in Premium Economy Passenger Satisfaction, further solidifying its market leadership.
- Operational Capacity: Delta operates up to 5,500 flights daily to over 300 destinations, showcasing its robust global network and operational capabilities, ensuring customers can conveniently connect worldwide.
- On-Time Performance Leadership: Recognized by Cirium as North America's most on-time airline in 2025, Delta's punctuality not only enhances its brand image but also strengthens customer trust and loyalty.
See More
American Airlines Faces Challenges in Turnaround Efforts
- Leadership Scrutiny: Pilot and flight attendant unions have raised concerns about CEO Robert Isom's leadership, citing underperformance in financial and operational metrics that have led to reduced profit-sharing for employees, negatively impacting morale.
- Profitability Decline: American Airlines reported a profit of $111 million in 2025, which pales in comparison to Delta Air Lines' $5 billion and United Airlines' $3.3 billion profits, highlighting a significant gap in market competitiveness.
- Transformation Strategy: Isom has outlined a strategy focused on enhancing customer service and revenue management, expressing optimism for 2026 despite challenges posed by winter storms, and emphasizing the need for accountability from senior leadership and teamwork.
- Intensified Market Competition: American Airlines faces fierce competition at major hubs like Chicago and Charlotte, particularly against United Airlines, with analysts questioning whether the current strategy will effectively close the performance gap with peers, indicating a long road ahead for transformation.
See More
AI-Exposed Stocks Face Challenges Amid Market Shift
- Market Sentiment Shift: As fears grow that artificial intelligence could disrupt demand rather than enhance it, software and AI-exposed stocks have faced significant sell-offs at the start of 2023, particularly in February, leading investors to reassess their risk exposure.
- Capital Flow Changes: Goldman Sachs equity strategist Ben Snider indicates that capital is rotating towards sectors perceived as insulated from AI disruption, marking a clear departure from last year's market strategies and reflecting diminished investor confidence in AI themes.
- Cyclical Industry Rally: Despite software stocks experiencing one of their worst weeks since the 2022 rate-hike panic, cyclical and consumer-linked industries have continued their recent rallies, indicating a growing preference for traditional sectors among investors.
- Strong Dow Jones Performance: Amid the decline in software stocks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has rallied towards all-time highs, suggesting increased investor confidence in industries tied to physical assets and cyclical activity, further emphasizing the market's demand for safety from AI-driven productivity risks.
See More
American Airlines Profits Lag Behind Rivals Significantly
- Profit Comparison: American Airlines reported only $111 million in profit last year, significantly trailing Delta Air Lines' $5 billion and United Airlines' over $3.3 billion, indicating a lack of competitiveness that may impact investor confidence.
- Leadership Scrutiny: The airline's poor performance has led pilot and flight attendant unions to question CEO Robert Isom's leadership, arguing that the company has failed to define an effective strategy to correct its course, resulting in employee disappointment about the future.
- Transformation Challenges: American Airlines is attempting to boost revenue through premium product offerings, despite sluggish growth in economy cabin revenue; Isom stated that by 2026, half of the company's revenue is expected to come from
See More
"Transportation Stocks Surge, Triggering Buy Signal from 'Dow Theory'"
- Transportation Shares Movement: Recent activity in transportation stocks indicates potential for continued stock market rally despite recent downturns.
- Market Resilience: The resilience of transportation shares suggests that investor confidence may remain strong, supporting overall market performance.
- Stock Market Dynamics: The interplay between transportation stocks and broader market trends highlights the importance of sector performance in stock market recovery.
- Investor Sentiment: Positive movements in specific sectors like transportation can influence overall investor sentiment and market outlook.
See More
Delta Air Lines Officer Plans to Sell $11.78 Million in Common Stock, According to Form 144
Delta Airlines Stock Sale: Officer Haunstein Glean intends to sell 165,860 shares of Delta Airlines common stock on February 6, with a total market value of approximately $11.78 million.
Reduction in Shareholding: Haunstein Glean has reduced his shareholding in Delta Airlines by 33,576 shares since January 14, 2026, with a total value of around $2.36 million.
See More
Delta Air Lines Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Delta Air Lines' Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.1875 per share, with a record date of February 26, 2026, and a payment date of March 19, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Customer Service Innovation: In 2025, Delta served over 200 million customers and was recognized by J.D. Power for achieving the highest satisfaction in Premium Economy Passenger Satisfaction, further solidifying its market leadership.
- Operational Capacity: Delta operates up to 5,500 flights daily to over 300 destinations, showcasing its robust global network and operational capabilities, ensuring customers can conveniently connect worldwide.
- On-Time Performance Leadership: Recognized by Cirium as North America's most on-time airline in 2025, Delta's punctuality not only enhances its brand image but also strengthens customer trust and loyalty.
See More
