Delta Air Lines vs Meliá Hotels (DAL vs MEL)
Delta Air Lines (DAL) vs Meliá Hotels (MEL) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) and Meliá Hotels (MEL) compete in travel, leisure and gaming. Here are Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels.
Delta Air Lines vs Meliá Hotels: the figures
| Figure | Delta Air Lines | Meliá Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $89.24 (November 4, 2026) | €10.67 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $58.7 billion | €2.4 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 17.8x | 14.0x |
| Forward P/E | 12.2x | 13.1x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +21.1% | +8.7% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 4.6% | 4.1% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.2x | 4.1x |
| Dividend yield | 1.03% | 1.65% |
| Beta | 1.42 | 0.67 |
Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels
- Growth: Delta Air Lines grew sales +21.1% year on year in its latest quarter, against +8.7% for Meliá Hotels.
- Volatility: Delta Air Lines stock moves more (beta 1.42) than Meliá Hotels (beta 0.67); the higher the beta, the more it amplifies market swings.
- Debt: Meliá Hotels owes 4.1x its annual operating profit (EBITDA), while Delta Air Lines owes 2.2x its EBITDA.
Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Delta Air Lines is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Meliá Hotels pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Delta Air Lines has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Meliá Hotels trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Delta Air Lines nor Meliá Hotels wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels make money
Delta Air Lines (DAL)
Delta Air Lines makes most of its money selling passenger tickets, with Atlanta as its main hub alongside other major U.S. airports. It also earns from SkyMiles, as American Express pays for miles issued on co-branded cards, plus cargo, maintenance work for other airlines and sales from its own oil refinery. Full Delta Air Lines analysis.
Meliá Hotels (MEL)
Meliá Hotels earns from hotels it owns or leases, keeping room and food revenue, and from third-party hotels it manages or franchises for fees. Its brands include Gran Meliá, ME by Meliá, Paradisus, Meliá, INNSiDE and Sol, with Spain and the Caribbean as key regions. Full Meliá Hotels analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Delta Air Lines vs Meliá Hotels
Is Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels the better stock?
Choosing between Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels depends on what you are looking for. Delta Air Lines is growing faster right now, and Meliá Hotels trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels?
As of November 4, 2026, Meliá Hotels yields 1.65% and Delta Air Lines yields 1.03%. Also check how much of their profit Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels?
On P/E, Delta Air Lines (17.8x) is more expensive than Meliá Hotels (14.0x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Delta Air Lines or Meliá Hotels.
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- Meliá Hotels vs United Airlines
More companies like Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels: travel, leisure and gaming stocks. Educational content about Delta Air Lines and Meliá Hotels, not investment advice.