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Southwest Airlines (LUV) Competitors

Southwest Airlines logo
$41.02 +0.68 (+1.69%)
Closing price 09/18/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$41.02 -0.01 (-0.02%)
As of 09/18/2026 07:55 PM Eastern
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LUV vs. AAL, ALGT, CHRW, JBLU, and LSTR

Should you buy Southwest Airlines stock or one of its competitors? Southwest Airlines's main competitors and comparable companies include American Airlines Group (AAL), Allegiant Travel (ALGT), C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW), JetBlue Airways (JBLU), and Landstar System (LSTR). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "industrials" sector.

How does Southwest Airlines compare to American Airlines Group?

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) and American Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL) are both industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, media sentiment and analyst recommendations.

80.8% of Southwest Airlines shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.4% of American Airlines Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of Southwest Airlines shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of American Airlines Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Southwest Airlines has a beta of 1.13, suggesting that its stock price is 13% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Airlines Group has a beta of 1.33, suggesting that its stock price is 33% more volatile than the broader market.

Southwest Airlines has a net margin of 2.78% compared to American Airlines Group's net margin of -0.56%. Southwest Airlines' return on equity of 14.15% beat American Airlines Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Southwest Airlines2.78% 14.15% 3.60%
American Airlines Group -0.56%-9.11%-0.27%

Southwest Airlines currently has a consensus price target of $48.31, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. American Airlines Group has a consensus price target of $18.58, suggesting a potential upside of 43.39%. Given American Airlines Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe American Airlines Group is more favorable than Southwest Airlines.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Southwest Airlines
3 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.27
American Airlines Group
2 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29

In the previous week, American Airlines Group had 1 more articles in the media than Southwest Airlines. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for American Airlines Group and 18 mentions for Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines' average media sentiment score of 0.59 beat American Airlines Group's score of 0.50 indicating that Southwest Airlines is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Southwest Airlines
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Airlines Group
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Southwest Airlines has higher earnings, but lower revenue than American Airlines Group. American Airlines Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southwest Airlines, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Southwest Airlines$28.06B0.72$441M$1.6325.17
American Airlines Group$54.63B0.16$111M-$0.49N/A

Summary

Southwest Airlines beats American Airlines Group on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southwest Airlines compare to Allegiant Travel?

Allegiant Travel (NASDAQ:ALGT) and Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) are both industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, media sentiment, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Allegiant Travel currently has a consensus target price of $125.77, suggesting a potential upside of 60.91%. Southwest Airlines has a consensus target price of $48.31, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. Given Allegiant Travel's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Allegiant Travel is more favorable than Southwest Airlines.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Allegiant Travel
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
Southwest Airlines
3 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.27

85.8% of Allegiant Travel shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.8% of Southwest Airlines shares are held by institutional investors. 12.8% of Allegiant Travel shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of Southwest Airlines shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Southwest Airlines has higher revenue and earnings than Allegiant Travel. Southwest Airlines is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Allegiant Travel, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Allegiant Travel$2.61B0.82-$44.70M$1.4155.43
Southwest Airlines$28.06B0.72$441M$1.6325.17

Southwest Airlines has a net margin of 2.78% compared to Allegiant Travel's net margin of 0.90%. Southwest Airlines' return on equity of 14.15% beat Allegiant Travel's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Allegiant Travel0.90% 10.83% 2.75%
Southwest Airlines 2.78%14.15%3.60%

In the previous week, Southwest Airlines had 7 more articles in the media than Allegiant Travel. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Southwest Airlines and 11 mentions for Allegiant Travel. Southwest Airlines' average media sentiment score of 0.59 beat Allegiant Travel's score of 0.43 indicating that Southwest Airlines is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Allegiant Travel
4 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Southwest Airlines
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Allegiant Travel has a beta of 1.5, meaning that its stock price is 50% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southwest Airlines has a beta of 1.13, meaning that its stock price is 13% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Allegiant Travel and Southwest Airlines tied by winning 8 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southwest Airlines compare to C.H. Robinson Worldwide?

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) and C.H. Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ:CHRW) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, media sentiment, institutional ownership, risk, earnings and dividends.

Southwest Airlines pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. C.H. Robinson Worldwide pays an annual dividend of $2.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Southwest Airlines pays out 44.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. C.H. Robinson Worldwide pays out 48.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. C.H. Robinson Worldwide has raised its dividend for 27 consecutive years. Southwest Airlines is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

80.8% of Southwest Airlines shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.2% of C.H. Robinson Worldwide shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of Southwest Airlines shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of C.H. Robinson Worldwide shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than C.H. Robinson Worldwide, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Southwest Airlines$28.06B0.72$441M$1.6325.17
C.H. Robinson Worldwide$16.23B1.10$587.08M$5.2429.20

Southwest Airlines presently has a consensus target price of $48.31, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. C.H. Robinson Worldwide has a consensus target price of $196.56, suggesting a potential upside of 28.48%. Given C.H. Robinson Worldwide's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe C.H. Robinson Worldwide is more favorable than Southwest Airlines.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Southwest Airlines
3 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.27
C.H. Robinson Worldwide
1 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
17 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.72

In the previous week, Southwest Airlines had 11 more articles in the media than C.H. Robinson Worldwide. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Southwest Airlines and 7 mentions for C.H. Robinson Worldwide. C.H. Robinson Worldwide's average media sentiment score of 1.40 beat Southwest Airlines' score of 0.59 indicating that C.H. Robinson Worldwide is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Southwest Airlines
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
C.H. Robinson Worldwide
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Southwest Airlines has a beta of 1.13, meaning that its share price is 13% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, C.H. Robinson Worldwide has a beta of 0.94, meaning that its share price is 6% less volatile than the broader market.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide has a net margin of 3.73% compared to Southwest Airlines' net margin of 2.78%. C.H. Robinson Worldwide's return on equity of 38.36% beat Southwest Airlines' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Southwest Airlines2.78% 14.15% 3.60%
C.H. Robinson Worldwide 3.73%38.36%12.63%

Summary

C.H. Robinson Worldwide beats Southwest Airlines on 14 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southwest Airlines compare to JetBlue Airways?

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) and JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, risk, institutional ownership, media sentiment and valuation.

Southwest Airlines has higher revenue and earnings than JetBlue Airways. JetBlue Airways is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southwest Airlines, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Southwest Airlines$28.06B0.72$441M$1.6325.17
JetBlue Airways$9.06B0.18-$602M-$2.39N/A

Southwest Airlines currently has a consensus price target of $48.31, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. JetBlue Airways has a consensus price target of $5.41, suggesting a potential upside of 23.88%. Given JetBlue Airways' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe JetBlue Airways is more favorable than Southwest Airlines.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Southwest Airlines
3 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.27
JetBlue Airways
6 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.54

Southwest Airlines has a beta of 1.13, indicating that its share price is 13% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, JetBlue Airways has a beta of 1.7, indicating that its share price is 70% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Southwest Airlines had 15 more articles in the media than JetBlue Airways. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Southwest Airlines and 3 mentions for JetBlue Airways. JetBlue Airways' average media sentiment score of 0.68 beat Southwest Airlines' score of 0.59 indicating that JetBlue Airways is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Southwest Airlines
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
JetBlue Airways
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

80.8% of Southwest Airlines shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of JetBlue Airways shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Southwest Airlines shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of JetBlue Airways shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Southwest Airlines has a net margin of 2.78% compared to JetBlue Airways' net margin of -9.32%. Southwest Airlines' return on equity of 14.15% beat JetBlue Airways' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Southwest Airlines2.78% 14.15% 3.60%
JetBlue Airways -9.32%-45.92%-5.41%

Summary

Southwest Airlines beats JetBlue Airways on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southwest Airlines compare to Landstar System?

Landstar System (NASDAQ:LSTR) and Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, media sentiment, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings.

Landstar System has a beta of 0.9, indicating that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southwest Airlines has a beta of 1.13, indicating that its stock price is 13% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Southwest Airlines had 16 more articles in the media than Landstar System. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Southwest Airlines and 2 mentions for Landstar System. Landstar System's average media sentiment score of 1.75 beat Southwest Airlines' score of 0.59 indicating that Landstar System is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Landstar System
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Southwest Airlines
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Southwest Airlines has a net margin of 2.78% compared to Landstar System's net margin of 2.64%. Landstar System's return on equity of 20.84% beat Southwest Airlines' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Landstar System2.64% 20.84% 10.42%
Southwest Airlines 2.78%14.15%3.60%

98.0% of Landstar System shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.8% of Southwest Airlines shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of Landstar System shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of Southwest Airlines shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Landstar System presently has a consensus price target of $196.00, indicating a potential upside of 15.10%. Southwest Airlines has a consensus price target of $48.31, indicating a potential upside of 17.75%. Given Southwest Airlines' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Southwest Airlines is more favorable than Landstar System.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Landstar System
2 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.18
Southwest Airlines
3 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.27

Southwest Airlines has higher revenue and earnings than Landstar System. Southwest Airlines is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Landstar System, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Landstar System$4.74B1.22$115.01M$3.8644.12
Southwest Airlines$28.06B0.72$441M$1.6325.17

Landstar System pays an annual dividend of $1.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Southwest Airlines pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Landstar System pays out 45.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Southwest Airlines pays out 44.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Landstar System has increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years. Southwest Airlines is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Southwest Airlines beats Landstar System on 11 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding LUV and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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LUV vs. The Competition

Export
MetricSouthwest AirlinesPassenger Airlines IndustryIndustrials SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$20.05B$7.75B$10.21B$23.10B
Dividend Yield1.76%3,324.94%97.05%3.62%
P/E Ratio25.1720.5125.5228.21
Price / Sales0.729.69281.5520.34
Price / Cash10.235.0523.8136.36
Price / Book2.662.334.804.67
Net Income$441M$759.10M$614.67M$1.07B
7 Day Performance4.68%0.42%1.21%-1.64%
1 Month Performance2.89%-2.36%-2.57%-3.60%
1 Year Performance26.11%1.11%4.34%8.41%

Southwest Airlines Competitors List

Export
CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
LUV
Southwest Airlines
4.7381 of 5 stars		$41.02
+1.7%		$48.31
+17.8%		+26.1%$20.05B$28.06B25.1772,790
AAL
American Airlines Group
3.3678 of 5 stars		$13.10
+0.7%		$18.53
+41.4%		+4.1%$8.67B$54.63BN/A139,100
ALGT
Allegiant Travel
4.6773 of 5 stars		$78.50
+0.3%		$125.77
+60.2%		+28.1%$2.15B$2.61B55.675,616
CHRW
C.H. Robinson Worldwide
4.9179 of 5 stars		$157.31
+3.0%		$196.56
+25.0%		+12.4%$18.38B$16.23B30.0211,855
JBLU
JetBlue Airways
3.1679 of 5 stars		$4.36
-0.9%		$5.41
+24.2%		-13.1%$1.65B$9.06BN/A22,087

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This page (NYSE:LUV) was last updated on 9/20/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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