NEW YORK, March 2, 2026, 07:02 EST — Premarket
- American Airlines shares fell nearly 5% in premarket trading, tracking a broader drop in travel stocks.
- Airlines and cruise operators slid as key Middle East hubs stayed shut and oil surged.
- Traders are watching oil, flight updates and Friday’s U.S. jobs report for the next cue.
American Airlines Group Inc shares were down 4.9% at $12.43 in premarket trading on Monday, after ending Friday at $13.07. 1
The move came as travel stocks took another hit after an escalation in the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict disrupted flights and forced the closure of key Middle Eastern hubs. Dubai and Doha were closed for a third day and oil jumped about 7% to its highest in months, and B Riley Securities said the region had become “an active war zone” likely to curb travel appetite. 2
American posted a travel alert waiving change fees for eligible customers traveling to, through or from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha and Dubai, according to its website. The carrier said the waiver applies to tickets bought by Feb. 27 for travel scheduled between Feb. 28 and March 15, with changes required by March 15. 3
American canceled its flight to Doha, Business Travel News reported, citing aviation analytics firm Cirium. The publication said the carrier also has not yet resumed Tel Aviv service, which has been suspended since October 2023 but was scheduled to restart March 28. 4
More broadly, U.S. stock index futures slid over 1% and crude rose about 8% as disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz pushed up energy prices, Reuters reported. Delta and United fell about 6% each in premarket trading, and IG analyst Chris Beauchamp warned there was “plenty of scope for more downside” if the conflict widens to hit oil and gas infrastructure. 5
Airline stocks often track fuel because jet fuel is one of the biggest costs in the business. Some carriers hedge — they lock in prices ahead of time using contracts — but that cover can be uneven and time-limited.
But premarket trading can be thin, and early moves can reverse once regular trading begins and volumes build. A quicker reopening of Gulf airspace or a pullback in oil would ease the pressure; a longer shutdown risks higher rerouting costs, refunds and weaker bookings into the spring travel run.
Investors will be watching for fresh updates on Middle East flight operations and any new cost signals from airlines. In the U.S., the Labor Department’s February employment report is due on Friday, March 6, at 8:30 a.m. ET — a data point that often swings risk appetite across sectors, including travel. 6
