Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, American or Delta?

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).

Do American and Delta include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra.

Which is more reliable, American or Delta?

In 2025 American arrived on time 72.7% of the time (1.8% cancelled) and Delta 79.1% (1.1% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, American or Delta?

Standard economy legroom is about 30 in on American and about 31 in on Delta. Both sell extra-legroom seats.

Which has better Wi-Fi, American or Delta?

American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. Delta: Free for SkyMiles members on most flights.

Which cancels fewer flights, American or Delta?

In 2025 American cancelled 1.8% of its flights and Delta 1.1%, so Delta had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are American and Delta partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (American: oneworld; Delta: SkyTeam), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AA vs DL · 2026 comparison

American vs Delta

American doesn't clearly win any category; Delta wins on more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

American

No clear category wins

Delta

Wins 3 categories

More legroom
A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

Quick verdict

American doesn't clearly win any category; Delta wins on more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Delta: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Delta: $45
Standard economy legroom: American: About 30 in · Delta: About 31 in
Wi-Fi: American: Free for members · Delta: Free for members
On-time arrivals (2025): American: 72.7% · Delta: 79.1%

Side by side

	American	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	18 × 14 × 8 in	Must fit under the seat
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 30 in	About 31 in
Wi-Fi	Free for members	Free for members
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	72.7%	79.1%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.8%	1.1%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	SkyMiles
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	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: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and anything that fits under the seat on Delta.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and a first checked bag on Delta costs $45 on U.S. and short-haul international flights.

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size 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

American gives about 30 in of legroom in standard economy and Delta about 31 in, an edge for Delta. American: About 30 in in Main Cabin; 34 in or more in Main Cabin Extra. Delta: About 31 in in Main Cabin; 34–35 in in Comfort.

Wi-Fi on American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. On Delta: Free for SkyMiles members on most flights.

On-time performance

In 2025, American landed 72.7% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.8%; 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

American is in oneworld and Delta is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and SkyMiles (Delta).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). 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 American if you want…

to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose Delta if you want…

more legroom
a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
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.