United Airlines vs Delta: Which Is Better in 2026? Complete Guide

Delta is the better airline for most domestic travelers in 2026 — it leads in on-time performance, customer satisfaction scores, and premium cabin quality. United has caught up significantly under Scott Kirby's leadership, with a revamped Polaris business class and a broader international network that rivals Delta's. For domestic coach travel, Delta's customer service and fewer fees win. For international business class, United Polaris is competitive with Delta One at comparable prices. Frequent flier loyalty matters most: if you live near a Delta hub (Atlanta, Minneapolis, Seattle, NYC) or United hub (Chicago, Houston, Newark, Denver), the hub airline generally delivers better connections.