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AAL vs SPIR vs BA vs DAL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Specialty Business Services
Aerospace & Defense
Airlines, Airports & Air Services
AAL vs SPIR vs BA vs DAL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Airlines, Airports & Air Services | Specialty Business Services | Aerospace & Defense | Airlines, Airports & Air Services |
| Market Cap | $8.70B | $529.86B | $182.12B | $47.75B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $55.99B | $72M | $92.18B | $63.36B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $202M | $-25.02B | $2.27B | $5.01B |
| Gross Margin | 21.8% | 40.8% | 4.8% | 24.5% |
| Operating Margin | 3.0% | -121.4% | -5.9% | 9.2% |
| Forward P/E | 77.5x | 10.0x | 4979.1x | 13.6x |
| Total Debt | $35.97B | $8.76B | $54.43B | $21.08B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.69B | $24.81B | $10.92B | $4.31B |
AAL vs SPIR vs BA vs DAL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Nov 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines G… (AAL) | 100 | 93.3 | -6.7% |
| Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR) | 100 | 20.5 | -79.5% |
| The Boeing Company (BA) | 100 | 109.6 | +9.6% |
| Delta Air Lines, In… (DAL) | 100 | 181.6 | +81.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AAL vs SPIR vs BA vs DAL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
AAL lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
SPIR is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if value and momentum is your priority.
- Lower P/E (10.0x vs 13.6x)
- +73.1% vs BA's +24.5%
BA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 34.5%, EPS growth 113.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.3%
- 94.6% 10Y total return vs DAL's 87.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.97, current ratio 1.19x
- Beta 0.97, yield 0.2%, current ratio 1.19x
DAL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.93, yield 0.9%
- 7.9% margin vs SPIR's -349.6%
- 0.9% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs BA's 0.2%, (2 stocks pay no dividend)
- 6.2% ROA vs SPIR's -47.3%, ROIC 12.0% vs -0.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 34.5% revenue growth vs SPIR's -35.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (10.0x vs 13.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 7.9% margin vs SPIR's -349.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.97 vs SPIR's 2.93 | |
| Dividends | 0.9% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs BA's 0.2%, (2 stocks pay no dividend) | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +73.1% vs BA's +24.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.2% ROA vs SPIR's -47.3%, ROIC 12.0% vs -0.1% |
AAL vs SPIR vs BA vs DAL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
AAL vs SPIR vs BA vs DAL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
DAL leads in 4 of 6 categories
SPIR leads 1 • AAL leads 0 • BA leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DAL leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BA is the larger business by revenue, generating $92.2B annually — 1288.3x SPIR's $72M. DAL is the more profitable business, keeping 7.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SPIR's -349.6%. On growth, BA holds the edge at +14.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $56.0B | $72M | $92.2B | $63.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.7B | -$74M | -$3.4B | $8.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $202M | -$25.0B | $2.3B | $5.0B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.9B | -$16.2B | -$1.0B | $3.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +21.8% | +40.8% | +4.8% | +24.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +3.0% | -121.4% | -5.9% | +9.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.4% | -349.6% | +2.5% | +7.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.4% | -227.0% | -1.1% | +6.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.8% | -26.9% | +14.0% | +2.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +19.4% | +59.5% | +31.3% | +44.2% |
Valuation Metrics
DAL leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 9.5x trailing earnings, DAL trades at a 90% valuation discount to BA's 93.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, DAL's 7.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AAL's 12.5x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $8.7B | $529.9B | $182.1B | $47.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $43.0B | $513.8B | $225.6B | $64.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 77.53x | 10.01x | 93.16x | 9.54x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | 4979.09x | 13.58x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.49x | — | — | 7.81x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.16x | 7405.21x | 2.04x | 0.75x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 4.56x | 32.27x | 2.30x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | 12.43x |
Profitability & Efficiency
DAL leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BA delivers a 2.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $-88 for SPIR. SPIR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.08x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to BA's 9.97x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AAL scores 6/9 vs SPIR's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | -88.4% | +2.9% | +24.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.3% | -47.3% | +1.4% | +6.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | -0.1% | -9.5% | +12.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.9% | -0.1% | -9.1% | +11.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.08x | 9.97x | 1.02x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $34.3B | -$16.1B | $43.5B | $16.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.7B | $24.8B | $10.9B | $4.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $36.0B | $8.8B | $54.4B | $21.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.45x | 9.20x | 1.89x | 9.69x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SPIR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in DAL five years ago would be worth $16,194 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,035 for SPIR. Over the past 12 months, SPIR leads with a +73.1% total return vs BA's +24.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SPIR at 43.9% vs AAL's -2.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -14.9% | +106.4% | +1.4% | +6.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +24.8% | +73.1% | +24.5% | +63.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.2% | +198.1% | +17.1% | +118.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -40.1% | -79.6% | -1.9% | +61.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -55.4% | -78.8% | +94.6% | +87.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -2.8% | +43.9% | +5.4% | +29.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BA and DAL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BA is the less volatile stock with a 0.97 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SPIR's 2.93 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. DAL currently trades 95.7% from its 52-week high vs SPIR's 68.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.96x | 2.93x | 0.97x | 1.93x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $16.50 | $23.59 | $254.35 | $76.39 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $10.09 | $6.60 | $176.77 | $44.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +79.9% | +68.3% | +90.8% | +95.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.9 | 55.5 | 56.9 | 64.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 68.2M | 1.6M | 6.5M | 12.2M |
Analyst Outlook
DAL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: AAL as "Buy", SPIR as "Buy", BA as "Buy", DAL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 20.6% upside for AAL (target: $16) vs 7.0% for SPIR (target: $17). For income investors, DAL offers the higher dividend yield at 0.92% vs BA's 0.19%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.90 | $17.25 | $263.67 | $82.45 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 37 | 12 | 54 | 44 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | +0.2% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | $0.43 | $0.67 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
DAL leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). SPIR leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
AAL vs SPIR vs BA vs DAL: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, The Boeing Company (BA) is the stronger pick with 34.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -35. 2% for Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR). Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) offers the better valuation at 9. 5x trailing P/E (13. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) a "Buy" — based on 37 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL?
On trailing P/E, Delta Air Lines, Inc.
(DAL) is the cheapest at 9. 5x versus The Boeing Company at 93. 2x. On forward P/E, Delta Air Lines, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL?
Over the past 5 years, Delta Air Lines, Inc.
(DAL) delivered a total return of +61. 9%, compared to -79. 6% for Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BA returned +94. 6% versus SPIR's -78. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), The Boeing Company (BA) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
97β versus Spire Global, Inc. 's 2. 93β — meaning SPIR is approximately 203% more volatile than BA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 8% versus 10% for The Boeing Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), The Boeing Company (BA) is pulling ahead at 34.
5% versus -35. 2% for Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Spire Global, Inc. grew EPS 137. 8% year-over-year, compared to -86. 3% for American Airlines Group Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, BA leads at 10. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL?
Spire Global, Inc.
(SPIR) is the more profitable company, earning 71. 7% net margin versus 0. 2% for American Airlines Group Inc. — meaning it keeps 71. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DAL leads at 9. 2% versus -121. 4% for SPIR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SPIR leads at 40. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Delta Air Lines, Inc.
(DAL) trades at 13. 6x forward P/E versus 4979. 1x for The Boeing Company — 4965. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AAL: 20. 6% to $15. 90.
08Which pays a better dividend — AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL?
In this comparison, DAL (0.
9% yield), BA (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. AAL, SPIR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is AAL or SPIR or BA or DAL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, The Boeing Company (BA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
97)). Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR) carries a higher beta of 2. 93 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (BA: +94. 6%, SPIR: -78. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between AAL and SPIR and BA and DAL?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: AAL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SPIR is a large-cap deep-value stock; BA is a mid-cap high-growth stock; DAL is a mid-cap deep-value stock. DAL pays a dividend while AAL, SPIR, BA do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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