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Is AAL (American Airlines Group Inc.) Halal or Haram?

NASDAQ Global SelectIndustrialsAirlines, Airports & Air Services$8.80B2026-02-25
AAL is Haram (Not Halal)2/4 screens passed

While American Airlines operates a permissible business model transporting passengers and cargo, it fails the financial screening criteria significantly. The company carries an exceptionally high debt load relative to its market capitalization at 409.0%, far exceeding the 33% limit, and its liquidity ratio also breaches the threshold at 74.7%. Consequently, AAL is classified as Not Halal (Haram) for investment under AAOIFI standards.

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Shariah Screening Details for AAL

Business Activity

Permissible

American Airlines passes the business activity screen as its core revenue comes from permissible passenger and cargo air transportation services, not from prohibited industries like alcohol or gambling.

Debt / Market Cap

408.97%

Debt: $35.97BThreshold: ≤33%

Interest Income

0.65%

Interest: $357.0MThreshold: ≤5%

Cash & Securities

74.71%

Cash: $6.57BThreshold: ≤33%

About American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL)

American Airlines Group Inc. is one of the world 's largest network air carriers, operating a massive fleet of over 865 mainline aircraft. Through key hubs in cities like Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami, the company provides scheduled air transportation for millions of passengers annually, alongside a significant cargo operation. It connects travelers globally through partner gateways in London and Tokyo, making it a critical player in international logistics and travel.

For Muslim investors, however, American Airlines is currently classified as Not Halal (Haram). Although the core business of flying people and goods is permissible (Halal), the company fails two critical financial ratios under AAOIFI standards. Specifically, it failed the debt-to-market cap screen and the liquidity screen, meaning the company's financial structure relies too heavily on interest-bearing debt and liquid assets relative to its market value.

From a financial perspective, the primary concern is the staggering debt-to-market cap ratio of 409.0%, which is over twelve times the permissible limit of 33%. This high leverage is common in the capital-intensive airline industry, where companies borrow heavily to finance aircraft, but it makes the stock non-compliant for Shariah-conscious portfolios. Additionally, the cash and interest-bearing securities ratio sits at 74.7%, further confirming its non-compliant status.

Investors looking for exposure to the travel sector should look elsewhere or monitor AAL for significant deleveraging in the future. Until the company drastically reduces its debt load or increases its market capitalization to rebalance these ratios, it remains ineligible for Islamic investment portfolios .

CEO

Robert D. Isom Jr.

Employees

133,100

IPO Date

2005-09-27

Headquarters

Fort Worth, TX, US

Website

www.aa.com

AAL Key Financial Statistics

Revenue

$54.63B

Net Income

$111.0M

EPS (Diluted)

$0.17

Stock Price

13.32

Beta

1.23

52-Week Range

8.5-16.5

Total Debt

$35.97B

Total Equity

$-3.73B

Current Ratio

0.50

AAL Financial Health & Profitability

Profit Margins

Gross Margin28.4%
Operating Margin2.9%
Net Margin0.2%

Revenue Growth (YoY)

+0.8%

Prior year: $54.21B

Net Debt

$34.28B

Cash: $1.69B — Debt: $35.97B

Frequently Asked Questions About AAL

Is AAL (American Airlines Group Inc.) stock halal to invest in?
Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, AAL is Not Halal (Haram) and is not considered permissible for Muslim investors. It failed 2 of 4 compliance screens. Its debt-to-market-cap ratio of 408.97% exceeds the ≤33% threshold. Its cash & securities ratio of 74.71% exceeds the ≤33% threshold.
What does American Airlines Group Inc. do?
American Airlines Group Inc. is one of the world 's largest network air carriers, operating a massive fleet of over 865 mainline aircraft. Through key hubs in cities like Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami, the company provides scheduled air transportation for millions of passengers annually, alongside a significant cargo operation. It connects travelers globally through partner gateways in London and Tokyo, making it a critical player in international logistics and travel. For Muslim investors, however, American Airlines is currently classified as Not Halal (Haram). Although the core business of flying people and goods is permissible (Halal), the company fails two critical financial ratios under AAOIFI standards. Specifically, it failed the debt-to-market cap screen and the liquidity screen, meaning the company's financial structure relies too heavily on interest-bearing debt and liquid assets relative to its market value. From a financial perspective, the primary concern is the staggering debt-to-market cap ratio of 409.0%, which is over twelve times the permissible limit of 33%. This high leverage is common in the capital-intensive airline industry, where companies borrow heavily to finance aircraft, but it makes the stock non-compliant for Shariah-conscious portfolios. Additionally, the cash and interest-bearing securities ratio sits at 74.7%, further confirming its non-compliant status. Investors looking for exposure to the travel sector should look elsewhere or monitor AAL for significant deleveraging in the future. Until the company drastically reduces its debt load or increases its market capitalization to rebalance these ratios, it remains ineligible for Islamic investment portfolios . American Airlines Group Inc. operates in the Industrials sector under the Airlines, Airports & Air Services industry and is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, US. The company is led by CEO Robert D. Isom Jr. and employs approximately 133,100 people.
What screening criteria were used for AAL?
AAL was screened using AAOIFI-based shariah compliance criteria. Four tests are applied: (1) Business Activity — the company's core business must not derive primary income from haram (prohibited) activities such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or interest-based finance. (2) Debt-to-Market-Cap — total debt must not exceed 33% of market capitalization. (3) Interest Income — interest income must not exceed 5% of total revenue. (4) Cash & Securities — cash and interest-bearing securities must not exceed 33% of market cap. AAL passed 2 of these 4 screens.
When was AAL last screened?
AAL was last screened on 2026-02-25. Shariah compliance status can change as companies report new financial data, acquire new businesses, or shift revenue streams. We recommend checking back periodically for the most up-to-date screening results.

Disclaimer

This shariah compliance assessment for AAL (American Airlines Group Inc.) is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or religious advice. Screening criteria are based on widely accepted AAOIFI standards, but individual scholars may differ in their opinions. Always consult with a qualified Islamic scholar and licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past screening status does not guarantee future compliance. Last screened: 2026-02-25.

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