5 Best Aviation Stocks To Buy According To Analysts

In this article, we discuss 5 best aviation stocks to buy according to analysts. If you want to read our discussion on the aviation industry, head directly to 11 Best Aviation Stocks To Buy According To Analysts. 

5. Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27

Average Upside Potential: 65.77% 

Average Analyst Price Target: $156.42

Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) provides airline passenger and cargo services, operating daily scheduled flights to 78 destinations across 32 countries in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) is one of the best airline stocks to invest in. On February 7, Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $4.47 and a revenue of $916.93 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.58 and $28.79 million, respectively. 

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 27 hedge funds were bullish on Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA), compared to 31 funds in the prior quarter. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 742,464 shares worth $80 million. 

4. American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31

Average Upside Potential: 14.05%

Average Analyst Price Target: $17.33

American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL), a network air carrier, operates scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo through its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) is one of the best airline stocks to monitor. On January 25, the company reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.29, beating Wall Street estimates by $0.21. The revenue of $13.06 billion was in line with market consensus. 

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 31 hedge funds were long American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL), compared to 33 funds in the preceding quarter. 

3. Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34

Average Upside Potential: 27.92%

Average Analyst Price Target: $51.10

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) operates airlines organized into three segments – Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company provides scheduled air transportation services primarily in the United States, extending to parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. On January 25, Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.30 and a revenue of $2.55 billion, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.12 and $20 million, respectively. It is one of the best airline stocks to invest in. 

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 34 hedge funds were bullish on Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK), compared to 28 funds in the last quarter. Ric Dillon’s Diamond Hill Capital is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 1.17 million shares worth $45.7 million. 

Diamond Hill Long-Short Fund made the following comment about Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

“Other bottom contributors included our long positions in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK), Target Corporation and Johnson Controls International (JCI). Shares of regional airline Alaska Air Group and general merchandise retailer Target declined during the quarter amid a weakening consumer and (in Alaska’s case) airline pricing environment.”

2. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43

Average Upside Potential: 29.53%

Average Analyst Price Target: $63.96

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) provides air transportation services across North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company operates mainline and regional fleets for the transportation of people and cargo. On January 22, United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $2.00 and a revenue of $13.63 billion, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.29 and $80 million, respectively. United Airlines also revealed plans to acquire 110 additional aircraft, marking a crucial step in their United Next growth strategy with deliveries set to commence in 2028. 

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 43 hedge funds held stakes in United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL), compared to 34 funds in the last quarter. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 4.6 million shares worth $193.4 million. 

1. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53

Average Upside Potential: 25.71%

Average Analyst Price Target: $54.53

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is an air transportation provider offering services for passengers and cargo domestically and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery, with a significant presence in different hubs across the United States and key international locations. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is one of the best airline stocks to monitor. On February 8, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on March 18, to shareholders on record as of February 26. 

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 53 hedge funds were long Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL), same as the last quarter. Thomas E. Claugus’ GMT Capital is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 6.8 million shares worth $273.4 million. 

Carillon Scout Mid Cap Fund made the following comment about Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

“The third largest detractor was Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL), which pulled back after a sharp rally earlier in the year and as higher oil prices hurt sentiment on airlines overall. While weaker domestic fare prices have weighed on the stock price, stronger demand for international travel has improved the company’s profitability.”

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