IAG in focus: Bernstein ranks International Consolidated Airlines Group as top European airline pick for 2026
International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), owner of British Airways and Iberia, is rated “Outperform” by Bernstein—here’s what’s driving the 2026 thesis on Dec 17, 2025. International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (IAG)—the airline holding company behind British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus—is back in the spotlight today after a new analyst note put it at the top of the European airline pecking order heading into 2026. Investing.com+1 At a glance, the market is also balancing two macro cross-currents that matter directly to airlines: cooling UK inflation (supportive for rate-cut expectations and consumer spending) and rising oil prices (a potential headwind