Delta Air Lines operates a larger domestic network with 900+ daily flights and maintains a 0.95 on-time performance rating, while United Airlines offers more international routes and competitive pricing with 850+ daily flights but slightly lower reliability metrics at 0.92 on-time performance.
United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Delta Air Lines wins for most leisure travelers seeking reliability and comprehensive domestic coverage, with superior on-time performance (95% vs 92%) and larger network capacity. Choose United Airlines if you prioritize international travel options, higher frequent flyer earning rates (1.5x vs 1x miles), and competitive pricing on premium long-haul routes.
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.
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)
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (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?
Delta Air Lines leads with 95% on-time performance compared to United's 92%. This 3-point difference translates to approximately 30 fewer delayed flights per 1,000 flights, making Delta statistically more reliable for time-sensitive connections.
Which airline offers more frequent flyer miles per dollar spent?
United Airlines MileagePlus program earns 1.5 miles per dollar on base fares versus Delta SkyMiles' 1.0 mile per dollar. This means United members accumulate miles 50% faster, reaching elite status and free flights more quickly than Delta members.
Which airline has more international routes?
United Airlines serves 345 international destinations across 6 continents, compared to Delta's 325 destinations. United's strength is particularly notable in Asia-Pacific and European markets, offering 20+ additional Asian gateways.
What are the baggage fees for both airlines?
Both United and Delta charge $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. Elite frequent flyer members receive free checked bags on both carriers, with benefits varying by elite tier.
Which airline has better customer satisfaction ratings?
Delta Air Lines scores 7.8/10 on customer satisfaction surveys, outpacing United's 7.2/10 rating. This 0.6-point difference is driven by Delta's superior on-time performance, fewer baggage complaints (United averaged 2.8 complaints per 100,000 passengers in 2024), and more consistent service quality.