Delta consistently ranks higher in customer satisfaction and operational reliability, with a 2024 DOT complaint rate 23% lower than United, while United offers more frequent international routes and competitive pricing on economy fares.
United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Delta Air Lines wins for travelers prioritizing reliability and customer service, with superior on-time performance and 23% fewer complaints. Choose United if you value extensive international networks, more departure frequencies on competitive routes, and flexible award availability—otherwise Delta's operational excellence and higher satisfaction scores make it the stronger choice for most passengers.
Compare United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines
Major U.S. carrier with 800+ aircraft and most extensive international route network.
Major U.S. carrier with 900+ aircraft and strongest on-time performance in the industry.
2024 DOT Complaints Per 100,000 Passengers
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (2024)
United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines with 162 attributes.
Business Class Lie-Flat Seats (Long-Haul)
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
Premium Cabin Seat Pitch (Business/Polaris)
Average Domestic Round-Trip Ticket Price
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
DOT Complaints Per 100,000 Passengers (2024)
United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines.
Which airline has better on-time performance in 2024?
Delta Air Lines leads with 82.1% on-time arrivals compared to United's 80.2%, a 1.9 percentage point advantage. This translates to approximately 7 more on-time flights per 100 flights with Delta.
How do baggage fees compare between United and Delta?
Both airlines charge $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second bag in economy. Checked baggage is free for elite frequent flyer members and premium cabin passengers on both airlines.
Which airline flies to more international destinations?
United Airlines serves 142 international destinations versus Delta's 129, giving United 13 additional destinations. However, Delta offers more flight frequency on major international routes through its larger fleet.
What are the customer satisfaction ratings for each airline?
Delta scored 758 on the 2024 J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study, while United scored 740—an 18-point difference. This reflects Delta's advantage in operational reliability and customer service consistency.
Which airline has fewer complaints to the DOT?
Delta received 2.18 complaints per 100,000 passengers in 2024, compared to United's 2.84—representing a 23% lower complaint rate. Common complaint categories favor Delta in baggage handling, flight cancellations, and customer service responsiveness.