New York, Jan 11, 2026, 18:51 EST — Market closed.
- Shares of American Airlines climbed roughly 1.7% on Friday following an upgrade from Susquehanna.
- The brokerage raised its price target to $20, citing new revenue initiatives and an improved industry outlook heading into 2026.
- Airline earnings kick off this week with Delta reporting on Jan. 13, providing an early glimpse into U.S. travel demand and cost trends.
Shares of American Airlines Group Inc are set to open higher Monday, building on gains from Friday following a more upbeat note from Susquehanna on the airline.
This week marks the start of fourth-quarter earnings season for U.S. airlines, and investors want clear proof that ticket prices remain steady, premium demand stays strong, and costs aren’t picking up pace again.
American has been pushing to narrow the profitability gap with larger competitors, but its stock remains highly reactive to broker reports and any signs of momentum heading into 2026.
American Airlines shares ended Friday at $15.99, gaining roughly 1.7%. Delta Air Lines climbed around 1.4%, while United Airlines ticked up nearly 1.6%, all riding a wider market surge heading into the weekend.
Susquehanna’s Christopher Stathoulopoulos bumped American’s rating to Positive from Neutral and lifted his price target to $20, up from $14. He cited a “constructive fundamental backdrop” heading into fiscal 2026, adding that American’s revenue strategies and network moves are expected to boost margins through fiscal 2027. 1
American Airlines continued its customer-experience push late last week, revealing a partnership with Pecan Lodge to offer Texas barbecue on select First Class flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to New York area airports starting next month. The airline also began launching free Wi‑Fi this month for AAdvantage loyalty members, courtesy of AT&T. 2
These moves come as part of a larger push by American to boost its premium offerings after years of slashing costs. “We think investing in customer experience will help us grow the top line,” Chief Commercial Officer Nat Piper told Reuters in December, unveiling upgrades aimed at taking on Delta and United for the high-spending crowd. “American Airlines is not going to turn itself around on a dime,” noted Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group. 3
The run-up to earnings season isn’t smooth. Rising fuel costs can squeeze margins fast, and crude prices surged on Friday — a signal investors track closely for jet fuel strain. That jump came despite U.S. data revealing December job growth missed estimates and the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4%. 4
Consolidation at the smaller end of the airline sector is gaining traction. On Sunday, Allegiant announced plans to acquire Sun Country in a deal valued around $1.5 billion, including debt. The move underscores the ongoing drive among airlines to boost scale and trim costs following the post-pandemic overhaul of expenses. 5
The upcoming earnings season heats up quickly. Delta will hold its Q4 and full-year 2025 webcast on Jan. 13. United plans to report after the close on Jan. 20, with its investor call set for Jan. 21. American’s date remains unconfirmed, but Nasdaq’s calendar lists it as Jan. 22. 6
