Alaska Airlines is a smaller, West Coast-focused carrier known for competitive pricing and customer service, while United Airlines is a major global carrier with extensive international routes and a larger fleet. United offers more destinations worldwide, whereas Alaska excels in domestic West Coast service and value.
Alaska Airlines vs United Airlines — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
West Coast-focused U.S. carrier known for customer service and competitive pricing
Second-largest US carrier with strong international presence, hub-and-spoke operations across multiple US cities.
Fleet Size. Global Destinations. Baggage Allowance (First Checked). Primary Service Area. Average Airfare (Domestic). Customer Satisfaction Score (2025). International Routes. Loyalty Program Value
Alaska Airlines is the better choice for budget-conscious West Coast travelers who value straightforward pricing and customer service, while United Airlines serves global business travelers and those needing extensive international connectivity. The right choice depends on your primary travel needs: regional convenience versus worldwide reach.
Alaska Airlines: ~340 | United Airlines: ~900
Alaska Airlines: 100+ | United Airlines: 250+
Alaska Airlines: 15 | United Airlines: 60+
Alaska Airlines: First bag free for all | United Airlines: First bag $35 (Basic Economy)
Alaska Airlines: $200 | United Airlines: $230
Alaska Airlines: 82.3% | United Airlines: 79.1%
Alaska Airlines: 7.8 | United Airlines: 7.2
Alaska Airlines: 1 base | United Airlines: 1 base
Alaska Airlines: 2 bags | United Airlines: 1 bag
Alaska Airlines: $285 | United Airlines: $318
Alaska Airlines: 766 | United Airlines: 738
Alaska Airlines: 118 destinations | United Airlines: 356 destinations
Alaska Airlines: 28 countries | United Airlines: 72
Alaska Airlines: $9.74 billion | United Airlines: $59.6 billion
Alaska Airlines: 326 aircraft | United Airlines: 868 aircraft
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $54 Billion
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 340+
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Star Alliance
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 982
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Recently started deliveries
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 254 (127 each variant)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Aggressive widebody expansion
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Moderate 2026-2032
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Capacity-driven revenue focus
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321XLR and A321neo orders
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Recent deliveries begun
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 254 (737-800/900ER combined)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: MileagePlus with Chase partnership
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Domestic high-frequency emphasis
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: On order for ultra-long-haul
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo (delivering), A321XLR (on order)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Excellent on international routes
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Moderate - varies by route and aircraft
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Aggressive expansion & frequency growth
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Clubs (comparable features)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Expanding network
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Multiple new widebody types
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 16-inch screens (type pending)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: New cabin class launching 2026
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Core airline operations
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Outstanding YTD performance
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Yes, available
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: New privacy wings in Premium Plus
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/737-900ER (127 each)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 254 (737-800: 127 + 737-900ER: 127)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321XLR on order
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Narrowbody high-frequency domestic
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo and A321XLR
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800 & 900ER (127 each)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Polaris (Lie-flat)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo & A321XLR on order (first new Airbus in 20+ years)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Club (WiFi, snacks, drinks, seating)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: +58 aircraft advantage
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 982 aircraft
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Starlink satellite WiFi (2026)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Airbus A321neo & A321XLR on order
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 787 Dreamliner & 777
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Self-serve snack bar in economy (2026)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Fifth Freedom routes (NY-Milan, etc.)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800 (127 units)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Airbus A321neo (first in 20+ years)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Polaris (long-haul focused)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: High (A321XLR on order)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: High-frequency domestic + widebody expansion
Business Class Lie-Flat Seats (Long-Haul)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Up to 28 seats (new aircraft)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Enhanced Polaris pods with varied privacy
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo and A321XLR on order
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Varies by aircraft type
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Club with WiFi and refreshments
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo deliveries underway; A321XLRs on order
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Polaris: Excellent internationally; variable domestically
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Club lounges globally
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: First new Airbus in 20+ years (A321neo)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Growing through hub expansion
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Established premium offerings
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard program maintenance
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard service levels
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 5+ new regional destinations
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 22-hour one-stop flights
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Rising complaints in 2026
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Crisis situation in 2026
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Extensive global network
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Hub-and-spoke international
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Aggressive widebody deployment
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard industry programs
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $15.4 billion
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8.5%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 11%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $250 million
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4.8%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/900ER (254 total)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321XLR orders (limited widebody focus)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo first new Airbus in 20+ years (recent)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Primarily ticket-driven with long-haul expansion
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing/Airbus mixed (limited A321neo uptake)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Slower (just beginning A321neo transition)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: +58
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/900ER (127 each)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 16-inch 4K OLED (2026)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Airbus A321XLR on order
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Recently began A321neo deliveries (first in 20+ years)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2026 (Polaris redesign launching)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Extended-range capability on A321XLR
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 16-inch 4K OLED
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Most destinations of any U.S. carrier
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard A321XLR engines
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Available on Polaris redesign
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Long-haul and mid-range (A321XLR)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Strong performance noted
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 79%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $287
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 776
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 30,000
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.1
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 350+
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 18.1
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 180 million
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 73
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 210M (MileagePlus)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.8
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 75
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 31
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 34 inches (Plus)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1.0
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 721
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $58.2B
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $318
Premium Cabin Seat Pitch (Business/Polaris)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 6.5 feet (direct-aisle on 787)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3.4/5
Average Domestic Round-Trip Ticket Price
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $289
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3 primary hubs (Chicago, Houston, Newark)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Extra (3 inches extra)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 843
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 81.2%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4,800+
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 73/100
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 358
DOT Complaints Per 100,000 Passengers (2024)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.84
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 80.2%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 886
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $35
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (2024)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 740
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 31 inches
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 14.1 years
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3.6
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4,823
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 182 billion RPM
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 0.58
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 25%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.41
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 28%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 850+
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $378
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 25,000 miles
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 0.94
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Free
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3.8
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3-12x
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 330+
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 83.1%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $38
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 48%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8 hubs
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 342 destinations
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 38
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8,247
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2 free upgrades
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: baseline
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 200%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1 (most fares)
Baggage Delay Complaints (per 100,000 passengers)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Not included
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $100 average
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $285
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 50 (1K)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 79.8%
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 352 destinations (6 continents)
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 11.2 years
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 74/100
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1.5x
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.4
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $63.6B
Alaska Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $40
How to choose between Alaska Airlines and United Airlines
Compare Alaska Airlines vs United Airlines
Alaska Airlines vs United Airlines — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Alaska Airlines vs United Airlines. Contains 198 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Alaska Airlines vs United Airlines — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Alaska Airlines vs United Airlines.
Alaska Airlines typically offers lower fares on domestic routes, with average tickets $20-40 cheaper than United on West Coast flights. United's pricing is competitive on longer international routes where they have more options. For budget travelers, Alaska generally wins, though sales from both airlines vary seasonally.
Which airline is better for international travel?
United Airlines is significantly better for international travel, operating flights to 60+ countries across six continents with multiple international hubs. Alaska Airlines focuses primarily on North America with limited international service (mainly Mexico, Canada, and a few Caribbean destinations). For global destinations, United is the clear choice.
Does Alaska Airlines charge for checked baggage?
No, Alaska Airlines allows the first checked bag free for all passengers, regardless of ticket class. United Airlines charges $35 for the first checked bag on Basic Economy tickets but includes it free on higher ticket classes. This is a significant advantage for Alaska customers.
Which airline has better customer service?
Alaska Airlines consistently ranks higher in customer satisfaction surveys (7.8/10 vs 7.2/10 in 2025), with passengers praising straightforward policies and friendly staff. United, as a larger carrier, faces more complexity and higher complaint volumes. For customer experience, Alaska Airlines generally receives better reviews.
Alaska's Mileage Plan is generally considered more straightforward and generous, with easier redemption rates and fewer blackout dates. United's MileagePlus offers more earning opportunities globally but has more complex rules and higher redemption costs. For simplicity, Alaska wins; for global earning potential, United is better.
How to Choose Between Alaska Airlines and United Airlines
Fleet Size: Alaska Airlines has ~340 aircraft, while United Airlines has ~900 aircraft.
Global Destinations: Alaska Airlines has 120+ destinations, while United Airlines has 350+ destinations.
Consider: Baggage Allowance (First Checked)
Baggage Allowance (First Checked): Alaska Airlines has Free for all passengers, while United Airlines has Free for Basic Economy+.
Primary Service Area: Alaska Airlines has West Coast & Alaska focus, while United Airlines has Global network.
Average Airfare (Domestic): Alaska Airlines has $185-220, while United Airlines has $210-250.
Consider: Customer Satisfaction Score (2025)
Customer Satisfaction Score (2025): Alaska Airlines has 7.8/10, while United Airlines has 7.2/10.
International Routes: Alaska Airlines has 15 countries, while United Airlines has 60+ countries.
Loyalty Program Value: Alaska Airlines has Mileage Plan (favorable), while United Airlines has MileagePlus (complex).