Delta Air Lines (DAL) vs Southwest Airlines (LUV)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Delta Air Lines (DAL) has outperformed Southwest Airlines (LUV) over the past year, gaining 46.5% versus a gain of 28.8%. Over five years, DAL leads with a +102.4% price change compared with -17.2% for LUV. Delta Air Lines is the larger company by market cap ($54.56 billion vs $20.41 billion), about 2.7 times the size.
On valuation, Southwest Airlines trades at a lower forward P/E (9.4x vs 10.5x for Delta Air Lines). Southwest Airlines offers the higher dividend yield (1.73% vs 0.94%). Delta Air Lines converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.9% versus 1.6%.
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 | DAL | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $82.97 | $41.72 |
| Market cap | $54.56B | $20.41B |
| 1-day change | -0.82% | -1.72% |
| YTD return | +19.55% | +0.94% |
| 1-year return | +46.51% | +28.81% |
| 5-year return | +102.42% | -17.16% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.76 | 26.57 |
| Forward P/E | 10.52 | 9.44 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.03 | $1.57 |
| Dividend yield | 0.94% | 1.73% |
| Annual dividend | $0.778 | $0.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $63.36B | $28.06B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.79% | +2.11% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $5.00B | $441.00M |
| Operating margin | 9.19% | 1.53% |
| Net margin | 7.90% | 1.57% |
| 52-week high | $95.68 | $55.11 |
| 52-week low | $55.03 | $29.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.28% | -24.30% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.56% | +18.50% |
| Average volume | 6.27M | 5.34M |
| Shares outstanding | 657.62M | 489.21M |
| Employees | 103,000 | 73,456 |
| 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
- Delta Air Lines is about 2.7 times larger than Southwest Airlines by market value ($54.56B vs $20.41B).
- DAL has outperformed LUV by 17.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Southwest Airlines trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.6x vs 13.8x trailing P/E).
- Delta Air Lines is more profitable, keeping 7.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.6 cents for Southwest Airlines.
About Delta Air Lines
DAL stock →Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 103,000 employees
About Southwest Airlines
LUV stock →Southwest Airlines Co. operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 73,456 employees
DAL vs LUV FAQ
Which is bigger, Delta Air Lines or Southwest Airlines?
Delta Air Lines (DAL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $54.56B compared with $20.41B for Southwest Airlines (LUV).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DAL or LUV?
DAL returned +46.51% over the past 12 months, compared with +28.81% for LUV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DAL or LUV?
DAL has the lower trailing P/E at 13.8, versus 26.6 for LUV. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Delta Air Lines or Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines has the higher yield at 1.73%, compared with 0.94% for Delta Air Lines.
Are Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Air Freight/Delivery Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.