American Airlines vs Delta Air Lines

Overview

American Airlines is a major US carrier headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. According to Wikipedia, it was formed in 1930 from more than 80 small airlines, began passenger service in 1936, and merged with US Airways in 2013 while keeping the American name. It is a founding member of the oneworld alliance and the main operating subsidiary of the Nasdaq-listed American Airlines Group. The airline reports it carries more than 200 million passengers a year.

Network and hubs

American operates ten hubs: Dallas/Fort Worth (the largest), Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington National. Miami is the main gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Philadelphia, Charlotte and JFK feed transatlantic flights. Together with American Eagle regional partners, it flies almost 6,800 flights a day to nearly 350 destinations in 48 countries. It runs joint businesses with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair (Atlantic), Japan Airlines (Pacific) and Qantas.

Fleet

• As of June 2026, Wikipedia lists 1,030 mainline aircraft, the second-largest commercial fleet in the world.
• The fleet is made up of Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies and Boeing widebodies, including 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.
• The average mainline fleet age was 14.7 years in September 2026 (Cirium, via Wikipedia).

On board

Long-haul flights offer Flagship First on 777-300ERs and select A321T aircraft, and Flagship Business on 777s and 787s, all with lie-flat seats. Premium Economy is fitted on widebody aircraft. Domestic aircraft have First, Main Cabin Extra, Main Cabin and Basic Economy. Main Cabin seat pitch is typically 30–32 inches. Economy passengers receive snacks and drinks; premium cabins get meals on flights of 900 miles or more. Newer 737 and A321 high-density layouts have no seatback entertainment. Wi-Fi details were not confirmed in the sources reviewed.

Good to know

• Baggage: Premium Economy includes two checked bags and Basic Economy permits a carry-on bag. Other fees depend on route and fare, so check aa.com before travelling.
• Basic Economy: seat assignment is usually left until check-in, there are no upgrades or refunds, and boarding is in the last group.
• Lounges: Admirals Clubs are open to paying members and eligible passengers. Flagship Lounges serve international and transcontinental premium passengers.
• Loyalty: AAdvantage is the frequent flyer programme. Its elite tiers match oneworld status levels, and one-way award tickets start from 7,500 miles.
• Regional flying: American Eagle flights are operated by Envoy, PSA, Piedmont, Republic and SkyWest.
• Recent news: in February 2026 the flight attendants' union APFA passed a vote of no confidence in the CEO. In October 2024 the US Department of Transportation fined the airline $50 million over its treatment of passengers with disabilities.

Overview

Delta Air Lines is a major US carrier headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in December 1928 as Delta Air Service and began passenger operations on 17 June 1929. It is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It reported revenue of US$63.4 billion for 2025 and about 103,000 employees.

Network and hubs

Delta operates nine hubs: Atlanta (its largest), Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, Salt Lake City and Seattle/Tacoma. As of April 2026, Wikipedia says it flies to 64 countries on more than 1,000 routes across the Americas, Europe, Africa, West and East Asia and Oceania. Regional services under the Delta Connection brand are flown by Endeavor Air, Republic Airways and SkyWest. Delta holds stakes in partners including Virgin Atlantic (49%), LATAM and Aeroméxico, and codeshares with many SkyTeam and other airlines.

Fleet

Wikipedia, citing Delta's 2025 Form 10-K, gives a mainline fleet of 987 aircraft, with an average age of 14.8 years at December 2024. Delta operates the world's largest passenger fleets of the Airbus A220, Boeing 717, 757, 767 and Airbus A330. Wide-bodies (A330, A350, Boeing 767) serve long-haul routes. Delta's Form 10-Q for March 2026 has a detailed fleet table.

On board

Cabins vary by route and aircraft:

• Delta One: lie-flat business class on long-haul and some transcontinental flights, with meals, an amenity kit and bedding.
• First: on domestic and some short- and medium-haul international flights, with 37–40 in of pitch.
• Premium Select: premium economy on many long-haul aircraft.
• Delta Comfort+: 34–36 in of pitch, priority boarding and complimentary drinks on flights of 250 miles or more.
• Main Cabin: 30–33 in of pitch, with free snacks and soft drinks on flights of 250 miles or more. Meals are free on long-haul international routes and sold on some other flights of 900 miles or more.
• Basic Economy: same service with fewer flexibility options, no ticket changes and seats assigned at check-in.

Delta Studio entertainment is available on many aircraft. Wikipedia reports free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members on most domestic flights from 2025.

Good to know

• Baggage allowances and fees depend on fare, route and status. Check the Delta website before travelling.
• Basic Economy fares do not earn miles or Medallion qualifying miles (since December 2021) and cannot be upgraded.
• Delta Sky Club lounge access comes through membership, top-tier status, certain American Express cards or international Delta One tickets. Day passes ended in January 2019.
• The SkyMiles loyalty programme says miles do not expire.
• Punctuality: Cirium data cited by Wikipedia put Delta at 84.72% on time in 2023. Wikipedia also notes Delta's domestic cancellation rate exceeded the industry average in 2026, with pilot availability cited as a factor.