Hottest Airline Stock: Delta Airlines Tops Poll

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- As reported this week in TheStreet, the threat to the airline sector appears to be waning. The battle, then, no longer appears to be one against insolvency, but one between airline carriers fighting to solidify their place within the sector.

So we asked this week, "With the worst for the airline sector said to be over, which airline carrier will perform best in the final quarter of 2009?"

The answer, according to users of TheStreet, is Delta Air Lines(DAL). The airline carrier nabbed 33.2% of the vote as being best poised to outperform its competitors during the second-half of the year -- despite the fact that shares closed on Friday down 7% for week, to finish the trading day Friday at $8.32.

In an effort to make its dominance in the industry known, Delta is attempting to nab a presence in Tokyo's National Airport and is negotiating to replace American as Japan Air Lines partner.

Delta also announced on Monday that it raised $600 million in cash and refinanced $1.5 billion in debt to help boost its liquidity in 2010.

Southwest Airlines(LUV) came in second with 22.9% of the vote.

To pick up traffic during the fall and winter season, the company launched this week a new fare sale. Tickets to some destinations will start at $59 each way, but seats are limited and there are blackout dates around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, where the cheaper deals do not apply.

JetBlue Airways(JBLU) ranked third in the poll with 16.4%, while United Airlines(UAUA) placed fourth with 14.2% and Continental Airlines(CAL) fell to last place with 13% of the vote.