Delta, United and Southwest Airlines Get Good News

On Monday, June 15, United, Delta, Southwest and most airlines got good news, and even though it's not directly related to customers, whenever an airline gets good financial news, it trickles down.

Airline shares skyrocketed on Monday, following the United States and Iran coming to a preliminary peace deal and agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a primary route for global oil shipments. The news of relief in gas prices sent airline stocks surging.

Shares of United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines each soared about 4% ahead of the open, according to Yahoo Finance. Why the surge? Investors are pricing the idea of lower fuel prices for airlines.

Why Are Airlines Stocks Doing So Well on Monday, June 15?

Airline stocks have been very reactive to the Iran war. Since airlines are so dependent on oil prices, when those prices go up, it hurts airlines, and when prices fall, it's a positive development, even more than other industries.

Airline stocks tend to get a lift when gas prices fall because fuel is one of the biggest bills airlines have to pay. Every dip at the pump usually signals lower jet fuel costs as well, and that can make a noticeable difference to an industry's bottom line. Running an airline is expensive enough before you start filling hundreds of planes.

Wall Street pays attention because even a small break in fuel costs can translate into healthier profit margins. Airlines suddenly have a little more breathing room. They can absorb other rising expenses, hold the line on ticket prices, or simply report stronger earnings than expected. Investors generally like all three options.

Of course, cheaper fuel isn't a magic fix. But when one of an airline's largest expenses starts heading in the right direction, investors usually see it as a reason for optimism. In the airline business, saving money on fuel is about as close as it gets to catching a favorable tailwind.

Other industries have benefited from the peace deal, though. Cruise operators Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line also went up on Monday. Meanwhile, oil prices fell about 5 percent.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 8:20 AM.