Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) released its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 on Thursday, showcasing modest revenue increases yet adopting a guarded stance for its profitability in the year ahead. The company recorded a 3% rise in sales year over year, amounting to $3.63 billion, narrowly missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.64 billion.
Operationally, the airline reported a 0.6% year-over-year improvement in operating Revenue per Available Seat Mile (RASM), which remained resilient despite a temporary moderation in demand influenced by the government shutdown event in November. This metric reflects the revenue generated for each seat mile available and is a key indicator of airline efficiency and pricing power.
On profitability, Alaska Air's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) notably outperformed expectations, reaching 43 cents compared to the company's prior guidance of 10 cents and a market consensus estimate of 12 cents. This outperformance was supported by various revenue streams demonstrating robust gains; corporate travel ticket sales increased by 9% year-over-year, aided by heightened last-minute bookings that offset earlier headwinds during the quarter.
Other revenue categories exhibited double-digit growth with premium service revenue expanding by 7%, cargo operations revenue soaring 22%, and loyalty program income rising 12% annually. These diverse income sources contributed to the overall revenue strength and indicate a broad-based recovery and customer engagement across segments.
In terms of capital management, Alaska Air continued its share repurchase program, acquiring approximately 700,000 shares for nearly $30 million during the quarter. This pushed aggregate repurchases to roughly $570 million in 2025. The company maintained a solid liquidity position, holding approximately $627 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31.
Capacity utilization expanded by 2.2% on an Available Seat Miles (ASM) basis, reflecting incremental offerings to meet demand. Unit costs, excluding those related to fuel, freighter operations, and special items, increased by a moderate 1.3% year-over-year, aligning favorably with Alaska Air's cost management initiatives. Fuel expenses remained a cost element, with the effective price per gallon averaging $2.57 during the quarter, a figure heightened by increased refining costs on the West Coast.
Strategically, the company announced plans to introduce new international routes between Seattle and major European cities such as London and Rome, slated to commence in spring 2026. In parallel, efforts to enhance overseas booking capabilities included enabling transactions in six currencies alongside the deployment of websites tailored for Japanese, Korean, and Italian-speaking customers, aimed at expanding the airline's international footprint.
Outlook and Future Plans
Looking ahead into 2026, Alaska Air has forecast capacity growth ranging between 2% and 3% for the full fiscal year, with more modest expansion of 1% to 2% anticipated in the first quarter. The company projects adjusted earnings per share in a broad range of $3.50 to $6.50 for fiscal 2026, which notably trails the consensus estimate of $5.26. For the initial quarter of 2026, Alaska Air expects an adjusted loss per share within a range of $1.50 to $0.50, against market expectations centered around a loss of 50 cents.
The carrier reaffirmed its medium-term goals of achieving $10 in earnings per share and contributing $1 billion in incremental profit by 2027, underscoring a commitment to improving its bottom line over the coming years.
Fleet Expansion Agreement
In a significant development in January 2026, Alaska Air placed its largest aircraft order to date, committing to an acquisition of 105 Boeing 737-10 jets and five Boeing 787 models, with further purchase options for 35 additional 737-10s. This agreement positions the company to expand its fleet substantially, targeting a total of approximately 475 airplanes by 2030 and exceeding 550 aircraft by 2035, supporting its network growth ambitions.
Market Reaction
Following the release, Alaska Air's stock price retreated by just over 1%, trading near $48.35 in premarket activity, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid the mixed earnings report and cautious guidance.