Ryanair (RYAAY) vs United Airlines (UAL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
United Airlines (UAL) has outperformed Ryanair (RYAAY) over the past year, gaining 14.0% versus a loss of 7.6%. Over five years, UAL leads with a +129.5% price change compared with +18.9% for RYAAY. United Airlines is the larger company by market cap ($35.31 billion vs $28.59 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, United Airlines trades at a lower forward P/E (7.9x vs 12.9x for Ryanair). Ryanair pays a dividend yielding 0.70%, while United Airlines 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 | RYAAY | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $55.20 | $108.80 |
| Market cap | $28.59B | $35.31B |
| 1-day change | -1.43% | -1.24% |
| YTD return | -22.43% | -1.48% |
| 1-year return | -7.64% | +13.99% |
| 5-year return | +18.86% | +129.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.27 | 10.19 |
| Forward P/E | 12.91 | 7.91 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.16 | $10.68 |
| Dividend yield | 0.70% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.388 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $59.07B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +3.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $885.00M | $3.35B |
| Operating margin | — | 7.98% |
| Net margin | — | 5.68% |
| 52-week high | $74.24 | $138.77 |
| 52-week low | $51.68 | $84.64 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.65% | -21.60% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.32% | +41.27% |
| Average volume | 1.43M | 3.84M |
| Shares outstanding | 517.92M | 324.58M |
| Employees | 30,000 | 117,500 |
| 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
- UAL has outperformed RYAAY by 21.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Ryanair trades at a higher earnings multiple (13.3x vs 10.2x trailing P/E).
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
About United Airlines
UAL stock →United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in the United States, Canada, Atlantic, the Pacific, and Latin America. It transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 117,500 employees
RYAAY vs UAL FAQ
Which is bigger, Ryanair or United Airlines?
United Airlines (UAL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $35.31B compared with $28.59B for Ryanair (RYAAY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, RYAAY or UAL?
UAL returned +13.99% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.64% for RYAAY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, RYAAY or UAL?
UAL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.2, versus 13.3 for RYAAY. 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, Ryanair or United Airlines?
Ryanair pays a dividend yielding 0.70%, while United Airlines does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ryanair and United Airlines in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Air Freight/Delivery Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.