If you've been near an airport this week, you already know what's happening: everyone is traveling. And airline stocks are getting a modest bump as a result.
The Transportation Security Administration is bracing for what could be a record-breaking holiday travel season. We're talking serious numbers here—TSA projects 44.3 million travelers will pass through airport security checkpoints between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4, 2026. That's a lot of shoes being taken off and laptops being pulled out of bags.
The busiest day is expected to be Sunday, when TSA anticipates screening about 2.86 million travelers. To put that in perspective, TSA screened 2.85 million travelers during its busiest day last year, so we're looking at a potential new record.
Several major airline stocks are trending higher on Christmas Eve, including American Airlines Group, Inc. (AAL), Southwest Airlines Company (LUV), United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL), and Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL).
The uptick in airline stocks comes after a turbulent period earlier this year when a U.S. government shutdown wreaked havoc on air travel. Congress failed to pass a national budget on time, leading to a shortage of around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers—not exactly ideal conditions for smooth holiday travel.
Insurance company AAA is projecting that 122.4 million Americans will travel significantly between Dec. 20 and the end of the year, representing a 2.2% increase compared to last year. Apparently, nothing—not even the memory of government shutdowns—can keep Americans from their holiday destinations.
Where the Stocks Stand: Here's how airline shares were moving Wednesday morning:
- American Airlines shares were up 0.45%, trading at $15.67 at the time of publication.
- United Airlines shares were up 1.03%, trading at $114.72 at the time of publication.
- Southwest Airlines shares were up 0.22%, trading at $41.65 at the time of publication.
- Delta Air Lines shares were up 0.34%, trading at $70.74 at the time of publication.
The gains are modest but reflect investor optimism that airlines can capitalize on what appears to be strong consumer demand for holiday travel, even as the industry continues to navigate operational challenges and staffing constraints.