Delta Up 5%, American Up 4% on Travel Demand

Delta Air Lines shares climb 5% and American Airlines shares rise 4% as strong travel demand boosts the airline sector. Investors respond to projections of $41 billion in combined net profits for U.S. airlines in 2026, up from $39.5 billion in 2025, driven by global passenger numbers exceeding 5.2 billion. The S&P 500 Airlines Industry Index surges 18.4% over the past 90 days, outpacing the S&P 500's 1.4% gain, amid stabilizing profitability and favorable fuel costs.