5 Best Airline ETFs

Investors frequently look for the best airline ETFs in order to take advantage of the potential rebound in the travel sector.

The airline industry on a global scale has always held a special allure for adventurers, dreamers, and those who travel for business purposes. 

It’s an industry that truly represents the concept of freedom, bringing people from different backgrounds and parts of the world together through the power of aviation. 

However, with all the challenges and difficulties that airlines have been facing lately, there is still a chance for investors to find opportunities and potentially achieve great success. 

One potential opportunity lies in investing in airline ETFs. 

ETFs are a type of investment tool that has gained popularity due to their unique features and ability to provide diversified exposure to various sectors, including the airline industry. 

They offer investors a way to invest in a range of airline companies, providing a convenient and innovative approach to investing in this specific sector.

Let’s dive into the world of the best airline ETFs and discover what they are, how they function, and why they might hold the key to tapping into the promising growth and resilience of the airline industry. 

Get ready to buckle up, put away your tray tables, and brace yourself for an exciting adventure exploring the world of airline ETFs. 

If you want to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, you can email me (advice@adamfayed.com) or use these contact options.

What are Airline ETFs

ETFs, which offer a one-of-a-kind and highly efficient means of investing, can be utilized to gain access to the aviation industry so that financial gains can be made. 

The best airline ETFs provide investors with access to a diverse range of equity investments related to this industry. 

This gives investors the ability to reduce the risk of being overexposed to a small number of companies. 

The best airline ETFs provide dividend payments, and intelligent investors who include dividend investing as part of their investment strategy have the opportunity to strengthen the portfolio’s resilience. 

The best airline ETFs typically have a diversified portfolio of airline equities. This portfolio may include prominent carriers, minor airlines, and auxiliary businesses that are all active participants in the aviation industry. 

Rather than placing all of one’s financial eggs in the basket of a single airline, it may be prudent to put some of one’s money into an airline ETF. 

These funds are intended to concentrate on the airline business, with the goal of providing investors with the chance to get exposure to the potential for growth in the airline industry as well as its ability to resist adversities.

What are the Pros and Cons of Investing in the Best Airline ETFs

The best airline ETFs provide investors with a unique opportunity to participate in the growth and sustainability of the airline industry in the years to come. 

However, before getting involved with airline ETFs, it is essential to conduct a thorough analysis of the benefits and drawbacks, just as you would with any other type of investment. This section intends to explore the pros and cons of investing in airline ETFs.

Pros of Investing in the Best Airline ETFs

Investors who choose to hold a diversified portfolio of airline equities through an airline ETF can enjoy the advantages of diversification. Investing in multiple airlines can help mitigate the risk of financial loss by diversifying your investments across different companies in the industry. 

The reason why the ETF is diversified across multiple airlines is to help soften the impact of any underperformance from a single carrier. 

These ETFs typically include companies involved in airlines, hotels, cruise lines, car rental firms, and other related sectors.  

One way to enhance the diversity of your investment portfolio is by exploring various markets and considering diversified ETFs that include airline stocks. 

This approach allows you to gain exposure to multiple industries simultaneously, broadening the range of sectors in which your investments are spread.

Airline ETFs offer investors the opportunity to gain exposure to the airline industry as a whole. By investing in these funds, individuals can participate in the industry’s growth and resilience. 

Investors now have the opportunity to benefit from the entire airline industry, rather than relying solely on the success of a single airline.

ETFs offer investors a great deal of convenience and accessibility because they can be easily traded on stock exchanges. 

Investors have the opportunity to purchase ETFs in the airline industry through their brokerage accounts.

Airline ETFs generally have lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds, making them a more cost-effective option. 

Savers may find the cost efficiency appealing due to the demonstrated positive impact of reduced costs on long-term returns.

ETFs are managed by a team of professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that the fund performs well compared to a benchmark index or trading strategy. 

This allows shareholders to enjoy the advantages of the ETF’s fund managers’ expertise without the need to personally research individual airline stocks.

An airline’s exchange-traded fund often exhibits a common feature of increased trading volume, also known as liquidity. 

Investors can easily buy and sell ETFs without significantly impacting the market price due to the high liquidity of these investments. It provides some flexibility and ensures that financial decisions will be executed efficiently.

To minimize the impact of a single airline’s failure on your investments, it’s advisable to diversify your portfolio by investing in multiple ETFs that track the airline industry. 

This way, you can spread your risk across different companies and reduce your vulnerability to any one airline’s potential failure. 

Diversification can help reduce the impact of various risks, such as economic downturns, fluctuations in fuel prices, and industry-specific challenges.

Certain ETFs within the airline industry have the potential to distribute dividends to their shareholders. 

Investors have the potential to receive a regular income through dividends, which can enhance their overall return on investment. 

If you’re planning to use your investments to generate income, it would be beneficial for you to spend some time learning about the process of selecting the best dividend-paying stocks and ETFs. 

Investors who are contemplating investing in airline ETFs may benefit from the following advantages. 

Investors have the ability to assess whether purchasing airline ETFs aligns with their investment objectives, level of risk tolerance, and overall portfolio strategy by thoroughly considering the advantages associated with these investments.

Cons of Investing in the Best Airline ETFs

The airline industry is known for its instability due to various factors such as fuel prices, geopolitical events, economic conditions, and regulatory changes. 

Investors who choose to invest their money in airline ETFs are exposing themselves to the unpredictable nature of the industry. 

This volatility could result in significant fluctuations in the prices of these ETFs. Investors should understand the significance of being able to handle the expected fluctuations in their portfolios over the short term.

The airline industry is greatly influenced by the condition of the economy. During times of economic downturns, the demand for air travel usually decreases, which negatively impacts the revenues and profitability of airlines. 

Investors should keep in mind that economic cycles can have an impact on the performance of airline ETFs because these ETFs are sensitive to changes in economic conditions.

Although investing in airline ETFs can provide some level of diversification, it’s important to note that there are still specific risks associated with each individual airline. 

Certain ETF airlines may encounter their own set of challenges, including strikes, increasing operational costs, management issues, or fierce competition. Both the efficiency of the ETF and the profits on investment can be affected by these risks.

The airline industry operates under strict domestic and international rules and regulations, which are greatly influenced by political factors. 

Government regulation, policy, and politics can have a significant impact on the airline industry and airline ETFs. 

Investors should stay vigilant about any regulatory changes and closely monitor consumer reports related to air travel. By doing so, they can proactively assess the potential impact of these issues on their investments. 

Although airline ETFs offer a range of investments, it’s worth noting that they often have a higher concentration of holdings in a few major carriers. 

Investors should be mindful of the concentration risk and the potential consequences if these major airlines encounter significant problems or perform poorly. This could potentially impact the overall performance of the ETF in a negative way.

When you choose to invest in ETFs, it means that you may have to give up some control over your portfolio and the ability to make all the decisions on your own. 

The fund managers are responsible for deciding which assets to include in the fund and determining their respective levels of importance. 

This implies that investors have a reduced level of influence in determining the stocks that are included in the ETF. This aspect can be seen as advantageous due to the presence of professional management.

Expenses and contributions: Although ETFs generally have lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds, they still have associated costs. 

Consequently, investors may experience a decline in their overall net returns as time goes on. When considering an investment in an airline ETF, it is important to carefully evaluate the fund’s fees in relation to its long-term performance.

There are various opportunities available in the market. Just like any other investment, airline ETFs can be affected by market fluctuations such as changes in stock prices, interest rates, and investor sentiment. 

The value of an ETF can decrease even if the airlines it follows are performing strongly, due to factors such as a decline in the overall market or negative sentiment among investors. 

Could you please help me identify the stocks and ETFs that have been performing exceptionally well, taking into consideration the overall market sentiment? 

Investors who are considering airline ETFs should carefully consider the potential drawbacks associated with them. 

When considering an investment, it’s important to carefully consider the potential risks and rewards in relation to your specific investment goals, how comfortable you are with taking risks, and your overall strategy for managing your investment portfolio. 

What are the Best Airline ETFs

US Global Jets ETF (JETS)

JETS possesses a diverse portfolio encompassing various sectors of the aviation industry, including aircraft production and airport administration. 

The investment fund managed by US Global Investors allocates its resources towards a wide array of both domestic and international firms, ensuring a diversified portfolio. 

This exchange-traded fund has a concentrated investment strategy, exclusively targeting the aviation industry.

American Airlines (AAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL), and Southwest Airlines (LUV) are prominent constituents of the U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS), a fund that encompasses significant holdings in the aviation industry. 

Over the previous five-year period, this ETF has exhibited annualized gains of -11.01 percent. The organization oversees assets valued at around $1.38 billion and has an expense ratio of 0.60 percent.

ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY)

While not classified as a “pure play” transportation exchange-traded fund, AWAY does allocate its investments towards companies that are actively advancing the travel and tourism industry by leveraging technological advancements. 

The fund tracks the stock prices of a portfolio consisting of 30 companies that offer various services such as online booking, ridesharing applications, and trip-planning guides. The fund was officially inaugurated in February 2020.

Airbnb (ABNB), Trainline PLC (TRN.L), and Booking Holdings Inc (BKNG) are prominent constituents inside the ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY), which has exhibited an annualized performance of -1.09 percent throughout the preceding year. 

The expenditure ratio of the organization is 0.76 percent, and it is responsible for managing assets valued at around $103.93 million.

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR)

FTXR provides financial support to many American industries, including automotive, aviation, highway, and rail. 

The fund in question tracks the Nasdaq US Smart Transportation Index, comprising a total of 30 transportation enterprises. The initiation of funding commenced in September 2016.

The First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) has a significant allocation in Ford Motor (F), General Motors (GM), and Tesla (TSLA) as its top holdings. 

Over a three-year period, it has had a performance of 6.65 percent on assets under management amounting to approximately $42.05 million. The expense ratio of this ETF is 0.60 percent.

iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT)

IYT serves as a financial supporter for transportation enterprises operating within the United States. The S&P Transportation Select Industry FMC Capped Index consists of a portfolio of 20 firms, whose performance is closely monitored by the fund.

The iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) holds prominent positions in Union Pacific Corp (UNP), United Parcel Service (UPS), and CSX Corp (CSX). 

Over the course of the last five years, this ETF has achieved annualized gains of 4.11 percent. The organization effectively oversees a portfolio of around $899.66 million in assets, incurring a cost equivalent to 0.40 percent of the total value.

SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN)

Approximately 40% of XTN’s portfolio is allocated to airlines and air freight companies, while the remaining interests are diversified across railroads, maritime ports and services, and trucking operations. 

The portfolio managed by State Street Global Advisors uses the S&P Transportation Select Industry Index as its benchmark.

The SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) holds prominent positions in RXO Inc (RXO), Ryder System (R), and Matson (MATX), three notable companies in the transportation industry. 

Over the course of the last five years, XTN has produced annualized gains of 3.88 percent. The organization manages assets valued at approximately $206.12 million and exhibits an expense ratio of 0.35 percent.

Final Thoughts

It’s important for investors to remember that specialty funds, like airline ETFs, can be a valuable addition to a diversified portfolio. 

Investors looking to maximize their returns in the airline industry should consider incorporating private banking services when selecting the best airline ETFs for their portfolios.

However, it’s worth noting that investing in a specific niche of the market can also come with increased risk. 

In 2021, as the U.S. economy started recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some interesting trends in the stock market. 

The S&P 500, which represents a broad range of companies, experienced a significant increase of 21.7%. 

This indicated a positive outlook for many sectors. However, the airline industry faced ongoing challenges and struggled to bounce back. As a result, the U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS), which tracks the performance of airline stocks, had a negative return of -5.1%.

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Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters, with over 760.2 million answer views on Quora.com, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.