American Airlines operates the largest fleet globally with more domestic routes and better overall customer satisfaction scores, while United Airlines leads in international destinations and premium cabin revenue, though both carriers have comparable on-time performance around 82-83%.
American Airlines vs United Airlines — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest airline by fleet size and revenue, headquartered in Dallas with extensive domestic network.
Second-largest US carrier with strong international presence, hub-and-spoke operations across multiple US cities.
Fleet Size. Domestic Routes. International Destinations. Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power 2025). On-Time Performance (2024). Annual Revenue (2024). Frequent Flyer Members
Choose American Airlines if you prioritize domestic coverage, have more flexibility with booking flexibility policies, and value slightly higher customer satisfaction ratings. Choose United Airlines if you fly internationally frequently, need more premium cabin capacity, or prefer their larger frequent flyer ecosystem with more transfer partners.
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: 350+ | United Airlines: 330+
American Airlines: 65 | 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: $40 | United Airlines: $40
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: 868 aircraft
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: 81.2%
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: 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 204 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.
Which airline has better customer service ratings?
American Airlines scores 738 on the J.D. Power 2025 satisfaction index versus United's 721, placing American 2.3% higher. However, both carriers score in the mid-range for US airlines, and satisfaction varies significantly by route and class of service.
Who has more flight options for domestic travel?
American Airlines operates 350+ domestic destinations compared to United's 330+, giving AA a 6% advantage. American serves more secondary markets and smaller cities, particularly beneficial for connecting passengers.
Which airline is better for international travel?
United Airlines flies to 72 countries versus American's 65, with particularly strong Asia-Pacific routes. United operates more nonstop intercontinental flights from major US hubs like Chicago and San Francisco.
Are baggage policies the same between both airlines?
Both airlines charge identical baggage fees: $40 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. Elite frequent flyer members at both carriers receive 2-3 free checked bags depending on status level.
Which frequent flyer program offers better value?
United MileagePlus has 210 million members with more transfer partners to premium airlines, while American AAdvantage has 145 million members with strong redemption options within the Oneworld alliance. United's program is larger but American members report slightly better redemption availability.
How to Choose Between American Airlines and United Airlines
Fleet Size: American Airlines has 928 aircraft, while United Airlines has 886 aircraft.
Domestic Routes: American Airlines has 350+ destinations, while United Airlines has 330+ destinations.
International Destinations: American Airlines has 65 countries, while United Airlines has 72 countries.
Consider: Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power 2025)
Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power 2025): American Airlines has 738 score, while United Airlines has 721 score.
On-Time Performance (2024): American Airlines has 82.4%, while United Airlines has 83.1%.
Annual Revenue (2024): American Airlines has $60.3 billion, while United Airlines has $63.6 billion.
Frequent Flyer Members: American Airlines has 145 million (AAdvantage), while United Airlines has 210 million (MileagePlus).