For the quarter ended September 2026, American Airlines (AAL Quick QuoteAAL - Free Report) reported revenue of $16.34 billion, up 19.3% over the same period last year. EPS came in at -$0.28, compared to -$0.17 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.82% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $16.2 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.28, the company has not delivered EPS surprise.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how American Airlines performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Operating cost per ASM excluding net special items and fuel - Total: 14.34 cents versus the four-analyst average estimate of 14.44 cents.
• Operating cost per ASM excluding net special items - Total: 20.08 cents versus the four-analyst average estimate of 20.08 cents.
• Passenger load factor (percent) - Total: 83.4% versus the four-analyst average estimate of 84.4%.
• Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes - Total: 3.85 $/gal compared to the 3.79 $/gal average estimate based on four analysts.
• Passenger revenue per ASM - Total: 18.47 cents versus 18.37 cents estimated by four analysts on average.
• Total revenue per ASM - Total: 20.25 cents versus 20.13 cents estimated by four analysts on average.
• Available seat miles - Total: 80.68 billion compared to the 80.32 billion average estimate based on four analysts.
• Yield - Total: 22.15 cents versus the three-analyst average estimate of 21.9 cents.
• Fuel consumption - Total: 1,204.00 MGal compared to the 1,202.66 MGal average estimate based on three analysts.
• Revenue- Passenger: $14.9 billion compared to the $14.82 billion average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +19.5% year over year.
• Revenue- Other: $1.16 billion versus $1.21 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +15.2% change.
• Revenue- Cargo: $274 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $260.97 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +29.3%.

View all Key Company Metrics for American Airlines here>>>

Shares of American Airlines have returned -8.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's no change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.