Alaska Air Group (ALK) vs Ryanair (RYAAY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ryanair (RYAAY) has outperformed Alaska Air Group (ALK) over the past year, losing 7.6% versus a loss of 19.2%. Over five years, RYAAY leads with a +18.9% price change compared with -31.5% for ALK. Ryanair is the larger company by market cap ($28.09 billion vs $4.37 billion), about 6.4 times the size.
On valuation, Alaska Air Group trades at a lower forward P/E (12.5x vs 12.7x for Ryanair). Ryanair pays a dividend yielding 0.72%, while Alaska Air Group does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ALK | RYAAY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $39.13 | $54.25 |
| Market cap | $4.37B | $28.09B |
| 1-day change | -1.16% | -3.13% |
| YTD return | -21.29% | -22.43% |
| 1-year return | -19.20% | -7.64% |
| 5-year return | -31.47% | +18.86% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 13.04 |
| Forward P/E | 12.49 | 12.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.59 | $4.16 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.72% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.388 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $14.24B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +21.34% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $100.00M | $885.00M |
| Operating margin | 2.13% | — |
| Net margin | 0.70% | — |
| 52-week high | $60.63 | $74.24 |
| 52-week low | $33.03 | $51.68 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.46% | -26.93% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +42.17% | +24.47% |
| Average volume | 2.75M | 1.43M |
| Shares outstanding | 111.60M | 517.92M |
| Employees | 31,596 | 30,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Air Freight/Delivery Services | Air Freight/Delivery Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Ryanair is about 6.4 times larger than Alaska Air Group by market value ($28.09B vs $4.37B).
- RYAAY has outperformed ALK by 11.6 percentage points over the past year.
About Alaska Air Group
ALK stock →Alaska Air Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Regional.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 31,596 employees
About Ryanair
RYAAY stock →Ryanair Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of scheduled-passenger airline services in Ireland, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It offers various ancillary services; engages in other activities connected with its air passenger service, including non-flight scheduled and Internet-related services, as well as in-flight sale of beverages, food, duty-free, and merchandise; and markets car hire, travel insurance, and accommodation services through its website and mobile app.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 30,000 employees
ALK vs RYAAY FAQ
Which is bigger, Alaska Air Group or Ryanair?
Ryanair (RYAAY) is larger, with a market capitalization of $28.09B compared with $4.37B for Alaska Air Group (ALK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALK or RYAAY?
RYAAY returned -7.64% over the past 12 months, compared with -19.20% for ALK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Alaska Air Group or Ryanair?
Ryanair pays a dividend yielding 0.72%, while Alaska Air Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Alaska Air Group and Ryanair in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Air Freight/Delivery Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.