Both carriers are major U.S. airlines competing aggressively in 2026, with United focusing on high-frequency domestic and ambitious long-haul expansion, while American emphasizes a turnaround year with loyalty program improvements and regional network growth. Choice depends on your route, loyalty program preferences, and whether you prioritize frequency (United) or domestic expansion (American).
American Airlines vs United Airlines — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Legacy carrier operating global hub-and-spoke network with premium cabin options.
Second-largest US carrier with strong international presence, hub-and-spoke operations across multiple US cities.
2026 Strategic Focus. Network Expansion. Transatlantic Business Class. Flight Frequency Strategy. Customer Experience Focus. Long-Haul Capabilities. Corporate Social Responsibility. Competitive Position
Both airlines offer distinct advantages in 2026: United excels for long-haul and high-frequency travelers seeking global reach, while American targets those prioritizing domestic coverage and improved onboard experiences. Choose United if you fly international routes or need frequent connections; choose American if you value loyalty program benefits, regional accessibility, and focus on domestic turnaround improvements.
American Airlines: Leading among Big 3 | United Airlines: Growing through hub expansion
American Airlines: Transitional improvements underway | United Airlines: Established premium offerings
American Airlines: Major overhaul in 2026 | United Airlines: Standard program maintenance
American Airlines: Comprehensive 2026 upgrades | United Airlines: Standard service levels
American Airlines: Domestic regional expansion | United Airlines: Hub-and-spoke international
American Airlines: 3 new regional routes | United Airlines: 5+ new regional destinations
American Airlines: Standard long-haul routes | United Airlines: 22-hour one-stop flights
American Airlines: Improving with 2026 focus | United Airlines: Rising complaints in 2026
American Airlines: Improving trend | United Airlines: Crisis situation in 2026
American Airlines: Growing international presence | United Airlines: Extensive global network
American Airlines: Balanced domestic focus | United Airlines: Aggressive widebody deployment
American Airlines: $1.6 million+ for CF Foundation | United Airlines: Standard industry programs
American Airlines: 81.2% | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: 874 | United Airlines: ~900
American Airlines: $54.8B | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: 3.8/5.0 | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: 350+ | United Airlines: 60+
American Airlines: $38 | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: 31" | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: Dallas, Charlotte, Phoenix | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: 928 | United Airlines: 886
American Airlines: 70+ | United Airlines: 72
American Airlines: 738 | United Airlines: 721
American Airlines: 82.4% | United Airlines: 83.1%
American Airlines: $60.3B | United Airlines: $63.6B
American Airlines: 145M (AAdvantage) | United Airlines: 210M (MileagePlus)
American Airlines: $35 | United Airlines: $40
American Airlines: 350+ U.S./international cities | United Airlines: 330+
American Airlines: $342 | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: 900+ | United Airlines: 868 aircraft
American Airlines: 79.6% | United Airlines: 81.2%
American Airlines: Flagship First, Business, Premium Economy | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: 215 | United Airlines: N/A
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $54 Billion
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 340+
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Star Alliance
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 982
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Recently started deliveries
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 254 (127 each variant)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Aggressive widebody expansion
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Moderate 2026-2032
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Capacity-driven revenue focus
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321XLR and A321neo orders
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Recent deliveries begun
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 254 (737-800/900ER combined)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: MileagePlus with Chase partnership
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Domestic high-frequency emphasis
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: On order for ultra-long-haul
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo (delivering), A321XLR (on order)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Excellent on international routes
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Moderate - varies by route and aircraft
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Aggressive expansion & frequency growth
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Clubs (comparable features)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Expanding network
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Multiple new widebody types
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 16-inch screens (type pending)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: New cabin class launching 2026
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Core airline operations
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Outstanding YTD performance
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Yes, available
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: New privacy wings in Premium Plus
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/737-900ER (127 each)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 254 (737-800: 127 + 737-900ER: 127)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321XLR on order
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Narrowbody high-frequency domestic
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo and A321XLR
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800 & 900ER (127 each)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Polaris (Lie-flat)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo & A321XLR on order (first new Airbus in 20+ years)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Club (WiFi, snacks, drinks, seating)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: +58 aircraft advantage
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 982 aircraft
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Starlink satellite WiFi (2026)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Airbus A321neo & A321XLR on order
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 787 Dreamliner & 777
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Self-serve snack bar in economy (2026)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Fifth Freedom routes (NY-Milan, etc.)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800 (127 units)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Airbus A321neo (first in 20+ years)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Polaris (long-haul focused)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: High (A321XLR on order)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: High-frequency domestic + widebody expansion
Business Class Lie-Flat Seats (Long-Haul)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Up to 28 seats (new aircraft)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Enhanced Polaris pods with varied privacy
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo and A321XLR on order
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Varies by aircraft type
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Club with WiFi and refreshments
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo deliveries underway; A321XLRs on order
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Polaris: Excellent internationally; variable domestically
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Club lounges globally
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: First new Airbus in 20+ years (A321neo)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $15.4 billion
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8.5%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 11%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $250 million
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4.8%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/900ER (254 total)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321XLR orders (limited widebody focus)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo first new Airbus in 20+ years (recent)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Primarily ticket-driven with long-haul expansion
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing/Airbus mixed (limited A321neo uptake)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Slower (just beginning A321neo transition)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: +58
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/900ER (127 each)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 16-inch 4K OLED (2026)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Airbus A321XLR on order
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Recently began A321neo deliveries (first in 20+ years)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2026 (Polaris redesign launching)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Extended-range capability on A321XLR
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 16-inch 4K OLED
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Most destinations of any U.S. carrier
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard A321XLR engines
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Available on Polaris redesign
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Long-haul and mid-range (A321XLR)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Strong performance noted
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 250+
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: First bag $35 (Basic Economy)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $230
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 79.1%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 7.2
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1 base
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 79%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $287
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 776
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 30,000
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.1
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 350+
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 18.1
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 180 million
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 73
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.8
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 75
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 31
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 34 inches (Plus)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1.0
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $58.2B
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 738
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $318
Premium Cabin Seat Pitch (Business/Polaris)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 6.5 feet (direct-aisle on 787)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3.4/5
Average Domestic Round-Trip Ticket Price
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $289
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3 primary hubs (Chicago, Houston, Newark)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: United Extra (3 inches extra)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 843
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4,800+
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 73/100
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 358
DOT Complaints Per 100,000 Passengers (2024)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.84
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 80.2%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $35
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (2024)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 740
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 31 inches
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 14.1 years
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3.6
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 4,823
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 182 billion RPM
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 81.2%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 0.58
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 25%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.41
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 28%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 850+
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $378
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 25,000 miles
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 0.94
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Free
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3.8
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 3-12x
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $38
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 48%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8 hubs
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 342 destinations
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 38
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 8,247
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2 free upgrades
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: baseline
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 200%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1 (most fares)
Baggage Delay Complaints (per 100,000 passengers)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: Not included
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $100 average
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $285
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 50 (1K)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 79.8%
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 352 destinations (6 continents)
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1 bag
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 356 destinations
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: $59.6 billion
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 11.2 years
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 74/100
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 1.5x
American Airlines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.4
How to choose between American Airlines and United Airlines
Compare American Airlines vs United Airlines
American Airlines vs United Airlines — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for American Airlines vs United Airlines. Contains 207 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
American Airlines vs United Airlines — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for American Airlines vs United Airlines.
Is American Airlines or United Airlines better?
United Airlines generally outperforms American in operational metrics (on-time performance, customer satisfaction) and financial health. Under CEO Scott Kirby's "United Next" strategy, United has improved its premium cabin product (Polaris business class), expanded its hub capacity, and returned stronger margins than American. American has higher debt and has faced strategic challenges since a failed corporate travel pivot in 2022-2023. For most travelers, the practical answer is: fly whichever airline has more nonstop options from your home airport. United's hubs (Newark, Houston, Denver, Chicago O'Hare) give it a network advantage in those cities; American's hubs (DFW, Charlotte, Miami) make it stronger there.
Is United MileagePlus or AAdvantage better?
United MileagePlus is generally considered more valuable for international premium cabin awards, particularly through Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, ANA (All Nippon Airways), and Singapore Airlines. MileagePlus has no expiration on miles with qualifying activity and publishes a relatively predictable partner award chart. American AAdvantage has strong value for Oneworld redemptions — British Airways, Japan Airlines first class, and Cathay Pacific business class — when saver award space is available, though AAdvantage partner redemptions have faced dynamic pricing shifts. For domestic travel, both programs are comparable. Most travel rewards experts lean toward MileagePlus for flexibility and partner coverage.
Which airline has more routes, American or United?
American Airlines operates more total routes and destinations overall, partly due to its larger domestic network and Charlotte hub (one of its highest-frequency hubs), plus strong Latin America and Caribbean coverage (Miami hub). United has a stronger transpacific network (San Francisco, Los Angeles hubs) and highly competitive transatlantic coverage (Newark, Washington Dulles). United's international coverage via Star Alliance (Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore Airlines) is complemented by strong Pacific routes. American's Oneworld Alliance covers strong European partner routes (British Airways, Iberia) and Asian coverage (Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific). Both cover the global network — route differences are most meaningful on nonstop domestic and regional options.
Does American Airlines have better first class than United?
On domestic routes, both American (Flagship First domestic/First class) and United (Polaris domestic/United First) offer comparable premium cabins on mainline aircraft — typically 2-cabin configurations with lie-flat seats on premium transcontinental routes (LA-New York, etc.) and recliner seats on standard domestic first class. On international long-haul routes, United Polaris (lie-flat business class on 787, 777, 767) has received stronger industry reviews for hard product consistency and ground experience (Polaris lounges at major hubs). American's flagship business class (lie-flat on 777-300ER, 787-9) is competitive but its first-class international product (4-cabin on certain routes) is offered on fewer routes.
How do I earn miles faster on American vs United?
Both AAdvantage and MileagePlus reward miles earned primarily through flying (based on fare class and distance) and credit card spending. For credit card accelerators: United's Chase United Explorer and Quest cards earn 2x MileagePlus miles on United purchases and have broad transfer partners via Chase Ultimate Rewards (which can transfer to United at 1:1). American's Citi AAdvantage cards and Barclays AAdvantage Aviator offer 2x on American purchases. For non-flying earning, Chase Ultimate Rewards transferring to MileagePlus gives United an edge — Chase points can also go to Hyatt, Southwest, and others, while Citi points (AAdvantage primary bank) are less flexible. Both programs partner with hotel loyalty programs for reciprocal points.
How to Choose Between American Airlines and United Airlines
2026 Strategic Focus: American Airlines has Turnaround year with domestic expansion and loyalty improvements, while United Airlines has High-frequency domestic + aggressive long-haul growth.
Network Expansion: American Airlines has Regional growth: Chicago to Erie, Tri Cities, Lincoln, while United Airlines has 5 new regional destinations plus 22-hour one-stop long-haul.
Transatlantic Business Class: American Airlines has Transitional improvements in 2026, while United Airlines has Established premium long-haul offerings.
Flight Frequency Strategy: American Airlines has Building domestic high-frequency routes, while United Airlines has Emphasizing widebody flying for seat capacity over frequency.
Customer Experience Focus: American Airlines has Major onboard experience improvements and new loyalty rules, while United Airlines has Expanding network coverage and route options.
Long-Haul Capabilities: American Airlines has Growing international presence, while United Airlines has Nearly 22-hour one-stop flights, aggressive widebody deployment.
Consider: Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility: American Airlines has $1.6M+ raised for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2026, while United Airlines has Standard industry CSR programs.
Competitive Position: American Airlines has Trailing Delta but making up ground in 2026, while United Airlines has Strong growth trajectory with expansion.
American Airlines is better than United Airlines
Both carriers are major U.S. airlines competing aggressively in 2026, with United focusing on high-frequency domestic and ambitious long-haul expansion, while American emphasizes a turnaround year with loyalty program improvements and regional network growth. Choice depends on your route, loyalty pr