Southwest Airlines And United Airlines Led The Airlines Stock

southwest and united airlines leading airlines stock pricesAirline stocks edged higher early Thursday, led by gains from Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

United UAUA shares climbed 2%. Southwest LUV and American AMR and US Airways LCC rose 1%.

Tracking the sector, the NYSE Arca Airline Index rose 0.5% to 37.86 points, with nine of the benchmark index’s 13 components advancing. The index is up more than 12% so far this year.

In the energy market, oil futures fell 31 cents to $82.62 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

In other developments, Virgin America, launched in 2007, is expanding its flight pattern. Virgin said it plans to launch non-stop flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Orlando and Toronto.

Orlando flights will begin August 19 and Toronto flights as early as June, subject to regulatory approval.

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