‘All Airlines Are Poised to Bounce’: Citi Makes the Case for Buying These 2 Airline Stocks Now

Company Overview - American Airlines Group is the parent company of American Airlines, one of the largest commercial air carriers globally by passenger numbers and annual revenue, operating a fleet of approximately 1,000 modern airliners and nearly 300 aircraft on order [2] - Alaska Air Group operates under various subsidiaries, including Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, and serves over 140 destinations, with a market cap of nearly $5.8 billion [11][13] Industry Insights - The airline industry faced significant challenges over the past year, including operational disruptions, severe weather, and government shutdowns affecting air traffic control, leading to weaker performance [6] - Citi analyst John Godyn anticipates a broad recovery in the airline sector by 2026, with "supermajors" expected to be the primary beneficiaries due to their strong market positions and established loyalty programs [5] Financial Performance - American Airlines reported a record quarterly revenue of $13.7 billion in Q3 2025, exceeding forecasts by $62.9 million, despite a net loss of 17 cents per share [8] - Alaska Air achieved nearly $3.8 billion in quarterly revenue for Q3 2025, a 23% year-over-year increase, although it reported earnings of $1.05 per share, missing forecasts by a nickel [14] Analyst Recommendations - Citi analyst John Godyn rates American Airlines' stock as a Buy with a price target of $19, indicating a potential upside of 28% [10] - Alaska Air is also rated as a Buy by Godyn, with a price target of $61, suggesting a potential gain of 23% [15]