With airline stocks, quality matters. American has $29.4 billion in long-term debt, about double Delta's total. While the airline should have the wherewithal to cover that debt, it does leave the company more vulnerable to a potential downturn up ahead.

Airlines stocks took off on Thursday, boosted by Delta reporting better-than-expected earnings and reinstating its full-year guidance. Here are the key chart levels to monitor for shares of three major U.

American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) is one of the stocks that are flying past expectations. American Airlines snapped a three-day losing streak on Thursday, surging 12.72 percent to close at $12.

Delta Air Lines said on Thursday its bookings have stabilized, prompting it to forecast a brighter profit outlook for coming quarters, even as

Delta Air Lines, the world’s largest carrier by revenue, reported upbeat second quarter results and reinstated its guidance as growing economic clarity deflects headwinds resulting from a global trade war.

With limited demand for lower-priced fares, carriers are poised to reduce domestic main-cabin capacity by about 1% by September, Delta Air Lines President Glen Hauenstein said Thursday.

Delta Air Lines reinstated a profit outlook for the year and said travelers are coming back, prompting its stock to surge amid a fresh sense of confidence in the beaten-down U.S. consumer.

Delta Air Lines posted record revenues on Thursday. Main cabin revenue fell 5%, but rose 5% for premium products as post-pandemic trends continue.