Travel stocks jump as US airlines signal strong spring demand

Booking Holdings

17/03/2026 16:32

** Shares of travel-related companies shot higher on Tues after U.S. airlines signaled strong spring travel demand despite the recent oil price spike and raised their rev forecasts

** At a J.P. Morgan conference, Delta Air Lines DAL.N raised its Q1 rev forecast and American Airlines AAL.O said Q1 rev is now expected to rise more than 10%, above its previous forecast

** Shares of Delta among the biggest pct gainers in S&P 500  .SPX on the day, gaining 4.6%. while American Airlines up 3.2%; Delta also on track for its biggest daily pct gain since February 6

** Among other travel-related shares: Expedia EXPE.O is up 5.2% and also among the S&P 500's top pct daily gainers, while Airbnb ABNB.O up 3% and Booking Holdings BKNG.O up 3.3%

** Car rental co shares also jump, including Avis Budget CAR.O, up 4.4%, and Hertz Global Holdings HTZ.O, up 4.7%

** Shares of cruise operators rose too, with Viking Holdings VIK.N up 2.3%, Royal Caribbean Cruises RCL.N up 0.8% and Carnival CCL.N up 1.7%

** Among shares of resorts and big travel destinations, Walt Disney DIS.N is up 1.8% and Las Vegas Sands LVS.N is up 1.4%

** Oil prices are up sharply since the February 28 start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, gaining more than 40% in March

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch, additional reporting by Lance Tupper  )

((caroline.valetkevitch@thomsonreuters.com))