Delta operates a larger fleet (900+ aircraft vs 800+) and maintains higher on-time performance (82.5% vs 79.8%), while United offers more international routes (340+ destinations) and competitive pricing on long-haul flights. Both are major U.S. carriers with distinct operational strengths.
Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Major U.S. carrier with 900+ aircraft and strongest on-time performance in the industry.
Major U.S. carrier with 800+ aircraft and most extensive international route network.
On-Time Performance (2024). Fleet Size. International Destinations. Baggage Fee (1st checked bag). Frequent Flyer Program: Annual Elite Miles Threshold. Average Ticket Price (domestic round-trip, 2024). Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
Choose Delta if you prioritize reliability, on-time performance (2.7% better), and higher customer satisfaction scores — ideal for business travelers who value consistency. Choose United if you need extensive international coverage, competitive pricing on long-haul routes, or fly frequently to destinations outside Delta's network; their 340+ global destinations provide greater flexibility for international business and leisure travel.
Delta Air Lines: 924 | United Airlines: 982
Delta Air Lines: Primary narrowbody focus | United Airlines: Recently started deliveries
Delta Air Lines: Declining operations | United Airlines: 254 (127 each variant)
Delta Air Lines: New A350 orders | United Airlines: Aggressive widebody expansion
Delta Air Lines: Aggressive 2026-2030 | United Airlines: Moderate 2026-2032
Delta Air Lines: MRO, cargo, loyalty programs | United Airlines: Capacity-driven revenue focus
Delta Air Lines: A350 and A321neo orders | United Airlines: A321XLR and A321neo orders
Delta Air Lines: Second most operated | United Airlines: Recent deliveries begun
Delta Air Lines: Legacy 737s present | United Airlines: 254 (737-800/900ER combined)
Delta Air Lines: SkyMiles with multiple card options | United Airlines: MileagePlus with Chase partnership
Delta Air Lines: Widebody capacity growth priority | United Airlines: Domestic high-frequency emphasis
Delta Air Lines: Status unknown | United Airlines: On order for ultra-long-haul
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A321neo | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/900ER (127 each)
Delta Air Lines: A321neo (newest addition) | United Airlines: A321neo (delivering), A321XLR (on order)
Delta Air Lines: Excellent across all routes | United Airlines: Excellent on international routes
Delta Air Lines: High - polished across all routes | United Airlines: Moderate - varies by route and aircraft
Delta Air Lines: Network optimization & quality focus | United Airlines: Aggressive expansion & frequency growth
Delta Air Lines: Sky Clubs (comparable features) | United Airlines: United Clubs (comparable features)
Delta Air Lines: 56 clubs | United Airlines: Expanding network
Delta Air Lines: A350-1000 with advanced engines | United Airlines: Multiple new widebody types
Delta Air Lines: 16-inch 4K OLED | United Airlines: 16-inch screens (type pending)
Delta Air Lines: Not available | United Airlines: New cabin class launching 2026
Delta Air Lines: MRO, cargo, loyalty program expansion | United Airlines: Core airline operations
Delta Air Lines: Outstanding YTD performance | United Airlines: Outstanding YTD performance
Delta Air Lines: Yes, available | United Airlines: Yes, available
Delta Air Lines: Updated privacy improvements | United Airlines: New privacy wings in Premium Plus
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A321neo and older narrowbodies | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/737-900ER (127 each)
Delta Air Lines: A321neo fleet expanding | United Airlines: 254 (737-800: 127 + 737-900ER: 127)
Delta Air Lines: A350-1000 expansion underway | United Airlines: A321XLR on order
Delta Air Lines: Widebody long-haul premium | United Airlines: Narrowbody high-frequency domestic
Delta Air Lines: A350-1000s (active) | United Airlines: A321neo and A321XLR
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A321neo | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800 & 900ER (127 each)
Delta Air Lines: Delta One (Lie-flat) | United Airlines: Polaris (Lie-flat)
Delta Air Lines: A321neo adoption underway | United Airlines: A321neo & A321XLR on order (first new Airbus in 20+ years)
Delta Air Lines: Sky Club (WiFi, snacks, drinks, seating) | United Airlines: United Club (WiFi, snacks, drinks, seating)
Delta Air Lines: -58 aircraft disadvantage | United Airlines: +58 aircraft advantage
Delta Air Lines: 924 aircraft | United Airlines: 982 aircraft
Delta Air Lines: Standard ground-based WiFi | United Airlines: Starlink satellite WiFi (2026)
Delta Air Lines: 44% | United Airlines: 28%
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A321neo | United Airlines: Airbus A321neo & A321XLR on order
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A350-1000 (launching 2026) | United Airlines: Boeing 787 Dreamliner & 777
Delta Air Lines: Standard beverage/snack service | United Airlines: Self-serve snack bar in economy (2026)
Delta Air Lines: Enhanced European network | United Airlines: Fifth Freedom routes (NY-Milan, etc.)
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A321neo | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800 (127 units)
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A321neo | United Airlines: Airbus A321neo (first in 20+ years)
Delta Air Lines: Delta One (all-route) | United Airlines: Polaris (long-haul focused)
Delta Air Lines: Moderate | United Airlines: High (A321XLR on order)
Delta Air Lines: Balanced operational growth | United Airlines: High-frequency domestic + widebody expansion
Delta Air Lines: A321neo integrated into fleet | United Airlines: A321neo deliveries underway; A321XLRs on order
Delta Air Lines: Delta One: Consistently excellent across routes | United Airlines: Polaris: Excellent internationally; variable domestically
Delta Air Lines: Delta Sky Clubs in major hubs | United Airlines: United Club lounges globally
Delta Air Lines: A321neo already integrated | United Airlines: First new Airbus in 20+ years (A321neo)
Delta Air Lines: $16.0 billion | United Airlines: $15.4 billion
Delta Air Lines: 9.5% | United Airlines: 8.5%
Delta Air Lines: Not disclosed | United Airlines: 11%
Delta Air Lines: $200 million | United Airlines: $250 million
Delta Air Lines: 3.0% | United Airlines: 4.8%
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A321neo | United Airlines: Boeing 737-800/900ER (254 total)
Delta Air Lines: Airbus A350 active deployment & expansion | United Airlines: A321XLR orders (limited widebody focus)
Delta Air Lines: A350 in active service, A321neo fleet established | United Airlines: A321neo first new Airbus in 20+ years (recent)
Delta Air Lines: MRO, cargo, loyalty, premium widebody revenue | United Airlines: Primarily ticket-driven with long-haul expansion
Delta Air Lines: Boeing/Airbus optimized (A350 + A321neo focus) | United Airlines: Boeing/Airbus mixed (limited A321neo uptake)
Delta Air Lines: Faster (A350 + A321neo established) | United Airlines: Slower (just beginning A321neo transition)
Delta Air Lines: Baseline | United Airlines: +58
Delta Air Lines: Not specified | United Airlines: 16-inch 4K OLED (2026)
Delta Air Lines: None announced | United Airlines: Airbus A321XLR on order
Delta Air Lines: A321neo already operational in fleet | United Airlines: Recently began A321neo deliveries (first in 20+ years)
Delta Air Lines: Not specified | United Airlines: 2026 (Polaris redesign launching)
Delta Air Lines: Larger wing design on A350-1000 | United Airlines: Extended-range capability on A321XLR
Delta Air Lines: Standard display (size not specified) | United Airlines: 16-inch 4K OLED
Delta Air Lines: Strong long-haul focus | United Airlines: Most destinations of any U.S. carrier
Delta Air Lines: Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 (more powerful) | United Airlines: Standard A321XLR engines
Delta Air Lines: Not mentioned | United Airlines: Available on Polaris redesign
Delta Air Lines: Long-haul primary focus (A350-1000) | United Airlines: Long-haul and mid-range (A321XLR)
Delta Air Lines: Strong performance noted | United Airlines: Strong performance noted
Delta Air Lines: 82.3% | United Airlines: 79.8%
Delta Air Lines: $348 | United Airlines: $312
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
Delta Air Lines: 783 | United Airlines: 776
Delta Air Lines: 25,000 | United Airlines: 30,000
Delta Air Lines: 1.8 | United Airlines: 2.1
Delta Air Lines: 325+ | United Airlines: 350+
Delta Air Lines: 17.2 | United Airlines: 18.1
Delta Air Lines: 83.5% | United Airlines: 81.2%
Delta Air Lines: 175 million | United Airlines: 180 million
Delta Air Lines: 76 | United Airlines: 73
Delta Air Lines: $35 | United Airlines: $35
Delta Air Lines: 118 million | United Airlines: 106 million
Delta Air Lines: 2.1 | United Airlines: 2.8
Delta Air Lines: 120 | United Airlines: 137
Delta Air Lines: 900+ | United Airlines: 850+
Delta Air Lines: 78 | United Airlines: 75
Delta Air Lines: 31 | United Airlines: 31
Delta Air Lines: 38 inches | United Airlines: 38 inches
Delta Air Lines: 5,400+ flights | United Airlines: 5,200+ flights
Delta Air Lines: 1.0x | United Airlines: 1.5x
Delta Air Lines: 78/100 | United Airlines: 74/100
Delta Air Lines: $63.4B | United Airlines: $58.2B
Delta Air Lines: 759 | United Airlines: 741
Delta Air Lines: $324 | United Airlines: $318
Premium Cabin Seat Pitch (Business/Polaris)
Delta Air Lines: 6 feet (direct-aisle on select aircraft) | United Airlines: 6.5 feet (direct-aisle on 787)
Delta Air Lines: 4.2 stars | United Airlines: 3.8 stars
Delta Air Lines: 325 destinations | United Airlines: 342 destinations
Average Domestic Round-Trip Ticket Price
Delta Air Lines: $312 | United Airlines: $289
Delta Air Lines: 3 primary hubs (Atlanta, Minneapolis, Detroit) | United Airlines: 3 primary hubs (Chicago, Houston, Newark)
Delta Air Lines: Delta Comfort+ (2-3 inches extra) | United Airlines: United Extra (3 inches extra)
Delta Air Lines: 902 | United Airlines: 843
Delta Air Lines: 5,400+ | United Airlines: 4,800+
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
Delta Air Lines: 76/100 | United Airlines: 73/100
Delta Air Lines: 5% | United Airlines: 8%
Delta Air Lines: 312 | United Airlines: 358
DOT Complaints Per 100,000 Passengers (2024)
Delta Air Lines: 2.18 | United Airlines: 2.84
Delta Air Lines: 82.1% | United Airlines: 80.2%
Delta Air Lines: 900 | United Airlines: 870
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (2024)
Delta Air Lines: 758 | United Airlines: 740
Delta Air Lines: 32 inches | United Airlines: 31 inches
Delta Air Lines: 81.5% | United Airlines: 77.2%
Delta Air Lines: 12.8 years | United Airlines: 14.1 years
Delta Air Lines: 1.67 | United Airlines: 2.14
Delta Air Lines: 198 billion RPM | United Airlines: 182 billion RPM
Delta Air Lines: 0.45 | United Airlines: 0.58
Delta Air Lines: 18% | United Airlines: 25%
Delta Air Lines: 1.89 | United Airlines: 2.41
Delta Air Lines: 900+ | United Airlines: 800+
Delta Air Lines: 82.5% | United Airlines: 79.8%
Delta Air Lines: 300+ | United Airlines: 340+
Delta Air Lines: $385 | United Airlines: $378
Delta Air Lines: 25,000 miles | United Airlines: 25,000 miles
Delta Air Lines: $61.2B | United Airlines: $59.8B
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: $54 Billion
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 340+
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Star Alliance
Business Class Lie-Flat Seats (Long-Haul)
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Up to 28 seats (new aircraft)
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Enhanced Polaris pods with varied privacy
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: A321neo and A321XLR on order
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Varies by aircraft type
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: United Club with WiFi and refreshments
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Growing through hub expansion
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Established premium offerings
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard program maintenance
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard service levels
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 5+ new regional destinations
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 22-hour one-stop flights
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Rising complaints in 2026
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Crisis situation in 2026
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Extensive global network
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Hub-and-spoke international
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Aggressive widebody deployment
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: Standard industry programs
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: ~900
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 250+
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 60+
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: First bag $35 (Basic Economy)
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: $230
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 79.1%
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 7.2
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 1 base
How to choose between Delta Air Lines and United Airlines
Compare Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines
Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines. Contains 162 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines.
Which airline has better on-time performance?
Delta Air Lines leads with 82.5% on-time arrivals vs United's 79.8% (DOT 2024 data). This 2.7% difference translates to approximately 10 additional delayed flights per 1,000 flights for United. Delta's superior logistics and fleet management contribute to this advantage.
United Airlines offers lower average domestic ticket prices at $378 vs Delta's $385 round-trip (2024 data). However, both charge identical baggage fees ($35 first bag). Long-haul and premium cabin pricing varies by route; United's extensive international network sometimes enables competitive pricing on transoceanic routes.
Which airline has more international routes?
United Airlines serves 340+ destinations globally vs Delta's 300+, giving United a 40-destination advantage. United has stronger presence in Latin America and Asia-Pacific, while Delta dominates domestic U.S. routes with better frequency on popular corridors.
Both SkyMiles (Delta) and MileagePlus (United) require 25,000 miles for entry-level elite status. Delta offers 15% bonus miles on elite redemptions; United provides free checked bags for premium cardholders. Program value depends on your travel patterns—Delta rewards frequent flyers, United rewards credit card holders.
Which airline has higher customer satisfaction?
Delta scored 78/100 vs United's 74/100 on J.D. Power's 2024 North American Airline Satisfaction Study. Delta's higher score reflects better on-time performance, fewer complaint incidents, and improved cabin experience. United is working to improve through fleet modernization and customer service initiatives.
How to Choose Between Delta Air Lines and United Airlines
On-Time Performance (2024): Delta Air Lines has 82.5%, while United Airlines has 79.8%.
Fleet Size: Delta Air Lines has 900+ aircraft, while United Airlines has 800+ aircraft.
International Destinations: Delta Air Lines has 300+ destinations, while United Airlines has 340+ destinations.
Baggage Fee (1st checked bag): Delta Air Lines has $35, while United Airlines has $35.
Consider: Frequent Flyer Program: Annual Elite Miles Threshold
Frequent Flyer Program: Annual Elite Miles Threshold: Delta Air Lines has 25,000 miles (Silver), while United Airlines has 25,000 miles (Silver).
Consider: Average Ticket Price (domestic round-trip, 2024)
Average Ticket Price (domestic round-trip, 2024): Delta Air Lines has $385, while United Airlines has $378.
Consider: Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024): Delta Air Lines has 78/100, while United Airlines has 74/100.