AS vs DL · 2026 comparison
Alaska vs Delta
Alaska doesn't clearly win any category; Delta wins on better Wi-Fi access and a better on-time record. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Alaska
ASNo clear category wins
Delta
DLWins 2 categories
- Better Wi-Fi access
- A better on-time record
Quick verdict
Alaska doesn't clearly win any category; Delta wins on better Wi-Fi access and a better on-time record. Both include a carry-on on every fare.
- Carry-on size
- Alaska: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Carry-on on the cheapest fare
- Alaska: Included on every fare · Delta: Included on every fare
- First checked bag (regular economy)
- Alaska: $45 · Delta: $45
- Standard economy legroom
- Alaska: About 31 in · Delta: About 31 in
- Wi-Fi
- Alaska: Free on some planes · Delta: Free for members
- On-time arrivals (2025)
- Alaska: 75.8% · Delta: 79.1%
Side by side
| Alaska | Delta | |
|---|---|---|
| Bags | ||
| Carry-on size | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 22 × 14 × 9 in |
| Carry-on on the cheapest fare | Included on every fare | Included on every fare |
| Carry-on weight limit | None published | None published |
| Personal item | Must fit under the seat | Must fit under the seat |
| First checked bag (regular economy) | $45 | $45 |
| Comfort | ||
| Standard economy legroom | About 31 in | About 31 in |
| Wi-Fi | Free on some planes | Free for members |
| Reliability | ||
| On-time arrivals (2025) | 75.8% | 79.1% |
| Flights cancelled (2025) | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Network | ||
| Alliance | oneworld | SkyTeam |
| Loyalty program | Atmos Rewards | SkyMiles |
| Main hubs | SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX, ANC | ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK |
Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.
Bags and fees
Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).
Both include it on their cheapest fares.
Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.
Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Alaska, and anything that fits under the seat on Delta.
A first checked bag on Alaska costs $45 on flights within North America, and a first checked bag on Delta costs $45 on U.S. and short-haul international flights.
Basic economy
Alaska (Saver): Saver fares include a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.
Delta (Delta Main Basic): Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra.
Seats and Wi-Fi
Alaska gives about 31 in of legroom in standard economy and Delta about 31 in. Alaska: About 31 in in Main; 34–36 in in Premium. Delta: About 31 in in Main Cabin; 34–35 in in Comfort.
Wi-Fi on Alaska: Free for Atmos Rewards members on Starlink-equipped planes as the rollout continues; otherwise paid. On Delta: Free for SkyMiles members on most flights.
On-time performance
In 2025, Alaska landed 75.8% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.2%; Delta landed 79.1% on time and cancelled 1.1%. That makes Delta the more punctual of the two. The figures come from the U.S. DOT and count each airline's own flights, not regional partners.
Loyalty and where they fly
Alaska is in oneworld and Delta is in SkyTeam.
Loyalty programs: Atmos Rewards (Alaska) and SkyMiles (Delta).
Alaska's main hubs are Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Anchorage (ANC). Delta's are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.
Which should you book?
Choose Alaska if you want…
- to earn and use oneworld miles and status
- nonstops from SEA, PDX, SFO
Choose Delta if you want…
- better Wi-Fi access
- a better on-time record
- to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
- nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP
On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.
Alaska vs Delta FAQ
It depends on what matters most to you. Alaska doesn't clearly win any category; Delta wins on better Wi-Fi access and a better on-time record. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.
Keep comparing
Bag rules and fees
Other comparisons
Sources
Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.
- Alaska Airlines official baggage policy
- CNBC Select: airlines are raising checked bag fees (2026)
- Upgraded Points: carry-on size chart for 63 airlines (updated May 16, 2026)
- U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics: 2025 on-time performance by operating carrier (via AviationDB)
- Your Mileage May Vary: where every major U.S. airline stands on Wi-Fi (Oct 13, 2026)
- Simple Flying: how U.S. airline economy seat pitch compares in 2026
- Delta Air Lines official baggage policy
- CNBC: Delta and Southwest raise checked bag fees $10 (Apr 7, 2026)
Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.
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