LATAM soars 96% as airline stocks split between record gains and steep losses in 2025
The S&P 500 industrials sector has climbed 18.2% so far this year, placing it third among all sectors and ahead of the broader S&P 500. Within the airline industry, performance has varied widely, with some carriers surging while others struggle in negative territory.
One standout is LATAM Airlines Group, which leads all passenger airline stocks with a 96.16% gain year-to-date.
LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) tops the sector with a 96.16% rise, earning a Strong Buy rating. Close behind are Joby Aviation (JOBY) and Ryanair Holdings (RYAAY), up 75.40% and 66.99% respectively, though both carry a Hold recommendation.
Copa Holdings (CPA) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) have also seen strong growth, rising 38.77% and 23.62%. Meanwhile, United Airlines (UAL) and Delta Air Lines (DAL) report mid-teens gains, in line with broader sector trends. SkyWest (SKYW) is the only other airline in positive territory, edging up 2.22%. At the bottom, American Airlines (AAL) and Alaska Air Group (ALK) remain the only two in the red, falling 10.50% and 20.96% respectively. Despite this, American Airlines ranks 11th globally in AirHelp’s 2025 airline ratings, with a score of 7.64. United (13th) and Delta (15th) follow, with American leading US carriers in claim processing, though rivals perform better in punctuality and customer feedback.
The airline sector shows sharp contrasts in 2025, with LATAM and Joby Aviation leading gains while American and Alaska Air lag. The S&P 500 industrials sector’s 18.2% rise highlights its strength, but individual airline stocks reflect a mixed recovery. Performance gaps remain between top and bottom carriers, both in stock returns and service rankings.
