Delta operates a larger fleet (900+ aircraft vs 850+) and maintains higher on-time performance (83% vs 80%), while United offers more international routes and competitive pricing on many domestic flights. The better choice depends on your priorities: Delta for reliability, United for global connectivity and budget options.
Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Major U.S. carrier with largest fleet and highest on-time performance
Major carrier focusing on competitive pricing and modern cabin upgrades
Fleet Size. On-Time Performance (2025). International Destinations. Average Domestic Ticket Price. SkyMiles/MileagePlus Annual Earning Rate. Baggage Allowance (checked bags). Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
Choose Delta if you prioritize reliability, on-time performance, and award availability through SkyMiles—it consistently ranks higher in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Choose United if you travel internationally frequently, prefer cheaper base fares, or want faster elite status progression through MileagePlus with higher elite bonuses.
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: 83% | United Airlines: 79%
Delta Air Lines: $412 | United Airlines: $389
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: 82.5% | United Airlines: 79.3%
Delta Air Lines: 175 million | United Airlines: 180 million
Delta Air Lines: 76 | United Airlines: 73
Delta Air Lines: 118 million | United Airlines: 106 million
Delta Air Lines: 2.1 | United Airlines: 2.8
Delta Air Lines: 355 | United Airlines: 342
Delta Air Lines: 900+ | United Airlines: 870+
Delta Air Lines: 78 | United Airlines: 75
Delta Air Lines: 31 | United Airlines: 31
Delta Air Lines: 35 inches (Comfort+) | United Airlines: 34 inches (Plus)
Delta Air Lines: 5,400+ flights | United Airlines: 5,200+ flights
Delta Air Lines: 1.0 | United Airlines: 1.0
Delta Air Lines: 76 | United Airlines: 72
Delta Air Lines: $63.4B | United Airlines: $58.2B
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: 3.8/5 | United Airlines: 3.4/5
Delta Air Lines: 325 destinations | United Airlines: 340+
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: 83.5% | United Airlines: 81.2%
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: 912 aircraft | United Airlines: 878 aircraft
Delta Air Lines: $35 | United Airlines: $35
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: 80.1%
Delta Air Lines: 12.8 years | United Airlines: 14.1 years
Delta Air Lines: 2.8 | United Airlines: 3.6
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: 850+
Delta Air Lines: 82.5% | United Airlines: 81.2%
Delta Air Lines: 360+ | 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: 74 | United Airlines: 71
Delta Air Lines: 0.98 | United Airlines: 0.94
Delta Air Lines: $7 | United Airlines: Free
Delta Air Lines: 2.1 | United Airlines: 3.8
Delta Air Lines: 5-12x | United Airlines: 3-12x
Delta Air Lines: 285+ | United Airlines: 280+
Delta Air Lines: $38 | United Airlines: $38
Delta Air Lines: 65% | United Airlines: 48%
Delta Air Lines: 2.3 | United Airlines: 2.8
Delta Air Lines: 7 hubs | United Airlines: 8 hubs
Delta Air Lines: $312 | United Airlines: $287
Delta Air Lines: 325 destinations | United Airlines: 342 destinations
Delta Air Lines: 45 | United Airlines: 38
Delta Air Lines: 6,531 | United Airlines: 8,247
Delta Air Lines: 4 free upgrades | United Airlines: 2 free upgrades
Delta Air Lines: +4.2% | United Airlines: baseline
Delta Air Lines: Included | United Airlines: Not included
Delta Air Lines: Free | United Airlines: $100 average
Delta Air Lines: $298 | United Airlines: $285
Delta Air Lines: 10 (Diamond) | United Airlines: 50 (1K)
Delta Air Lines: 82.4% | United Airlines: 79.8%
Delta Air Lines: 325 destinations (6 continents) | United Airlines: 352 destinations (6 continents)
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
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 200%
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 1 (most fares)
Baggage Delay Complaints (per 100,000 passengers)
Delta Air Lines: N/A | United Airlines: 2.8
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 189 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 is more likely to get me to my destination on time in 2026?
Delta has a significant advantage with 83.2% on-time performance compared to United's 80.1% (DOT data 2025). This 3.1-point difference translates to roughly 1 additional delayed flight per month on either airline. Delta's operational efficiency is attributed to better crew scheduling and aircraft maintenance protocols.
Which airline has better international flight options?
United Airlines operates 340+ international destinations versus Delta's 320+, giving United an edge for global travel. United has exclusive routes to several destinations in Asia and Europe, making it ideal for frequent international travelers. However, Delta offers more premium cabin configurations on many long-haul flights.
How do the loyalty programs compare for earning free flights?
Both SkyMiles (Delta) and MileagePlus (United) award 1 mile per $1 spent, but United offers faster elite status progression with bonuses up to 200% versus Delta's 150%. United elite members earn miles faster, but Delta members report better award availability due to inventory management, meaning your miles are easier to redeem on Delta.
Which airline offers cheaper tickets overall?
United's average domestic ticket is $389 versus Delta's $412 (6% difference), making United more budget-friendly for most routes. However, Delta frequently offers competitive sales, and the price gap closes during promotional periods. Hidden fees and baggage policies are comparable between both carriers.
Are there significant differences in customer complaints between these airlines?
Delta ranks higher in customer satisfaction (755 vs 738 out of 1000, J.D. Power 2025) and has fewer baggage mishandling complaints (2.1 per 100,000 passengers vs United's 2.8). United has struggled with overbooking policies and crew scheduling issues in recent years, while Delta maintains more consistent operational standards.
How to Choose Between Delta Air Lines and United Airlines
Fleet Size: Delta Air Lines has 900+ aircraft, while United Airlines has 850+ aircraft.
On-Time Performance (2025): Delta Air Lines has 83.2%, while United Airlines has 80.1%.
International Destinations: Delta Air Lines has 320+ destinations, while United Airlines has 340+ destinations.
Average Domestic Ticket Price: Delta Air Lines has $412, while United Airlines has $389.
Consider: SkyMiles/MileagePlus Annual Earning Rate
SkyMiles/MileagePlus Annual Earning Rate: Delta Air Lines has 1 mile per $1 spent (elite bonuses up to 150%), while United Airlines has 1 mile per $1 spent (elite bonuses up to 200%).
Consider: Baggage Allowance (checked bags)
Baggage Allowance (checked bags): Delta Air Lines has 1 free checked bag for most fares, while United Airlines has 1 free checked bag for most fares.
Consider: Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025): Delta Air Lines has 755/1000, while United Airlines has 738/1000.