American Airlines expected to report Q1 loss as winter storms weigh on results — reports

American Airlines Group is expected to post a first-quarter loss on Thursday (April 23) after severe winter weather disrupted operations and weighed on costs, according to Refinitiv data.

Analysts polled by Refinitiv forecast the carrier to report a loss of about 46 cents per share for the three months ended March, compared with a loss of 59 cents per share a year earlier, reflecting an improvement in demand but continued margin pressure.

Revenue is expected to rise nearly 10% to around $13.8 billion, driven by higher fares and resilient travel demand, though performance was dented by widespread flight cancellations linked to major winter storms in the United States.

High fuel costs and labor expenses are expected to pressure margins.

American has said earlier that the storms cut first-quarter revenue by as much as $200 million, while also pushing up costs, offsetting gains from stronger bookings early in the year.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline has been working to narrow the profitability gap with rivals by expanding premium seating, strengthening its loyalty business, and cutting costs. Management has guided to a return to stronger earnings later in 2026, with full-year adjusted profit expected to improve sharply.

Shares of American Airlines have fallen about 15% this year, underperforming broader U.S. airline stocks, as investors remain cautious about high debt levels and execution risks.

-Christine Kiernan/Reuters