Is American Airlines Stock’s Drop A Chance To Buy

American Airlines (AAL) stock has lost 24.4% since July 16, against a 2.7% gain for the S&P 500. The carrier trails Delta and United on profit, and executives cut their 2026 earnings outlook again in July, citing higher fuel costs. Yet the airline is chasing higher-spending travelers with more premium seats. Investors buying the drop might be betting on this shift. Therein lies the contradiction: the premium bet is lifting sales while fuel costs squeeze profit. So, is American's revenue actually picking up?

American's Sales Have Sped Up Since Mid-2025

Yes, and the revenue pace has quickened in each of the last three quarters. American's revenue grew just 0.3% from a year earlier in July-to-September 2025, then expanded 2.5% in October-to-December. Growth reached 10.8% in January-to-March 2026 and 16.3% in April-to-June.

That April-to-June revenue of $16.7 billion was the highest in American's history. The company credited the record to strong demand.

In August the airline said it would add more premium seats and restore seatback entertainment screens on its narrowbody jets, with new aircraft getting them from 2028. This move steps up the bet on higher-spending travelers. The plan came after the record April-to-June quarter, so current sales figures do not yet show whether the new seats and screens pay off.

Is American Turning Its Record Sales Into Profit?

Not yet. Even in its record quarter, American's operating margin was 2.7% in April-to-June 2026, against 8.2% a year earlier.

American also trails its larger rivals. Over the twelve months to June 2026, its operating margin was 1.8%, against 6.8% for United over the same months. Reuters reported in August that the new premium seats and screens are part of American's effort to narrow that gap with Delta and United.

American Owes Far More Than Its Shares Are Worth

American's total debt equals 458.4% of its stock market value, against 20.2% for the S&P 500. Investors will have to look at American's profit, not its record revenue, to determine whether that debt is manageable.

American shareholders have also lost far more than the broader market in past sell-offs. In the 2025 tariff shock, the shares fell as much as 43% from peak to trough, against 19% for the S&P 500.

Right now, American's sales are holding up while its profit is not. Revenue growth and operating margin, both due in the July-to-September report expected on or around October 22, 2026, are the numbers to watch.

How To Act On AAL?

Now you know AAL better. And that's our purpose: to make you informed before you invest your money. However, making a bet on a single stock carries its own risks.

There is a smarter choice. Since its inception, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio has beaten the benchmark that combines the three major indices - the S&P 500, S&P Mid-cap, and Russell 2000. And it did so without taking the concentrated risk that comes with do-it-yourself stock picking.

If you'd rather act on AAL itself:

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