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

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

Which is more reliable, American or United?

In 2025 American arrived on time 72.7% of the time (1.8% cancelled) and United 77.7% (0.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, American or United?

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

Which has better Wi-Fi, American or United?

American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. United: Free for MileagePlus members on Starlink-equipped planes (fleetwide by end of 2027); otherwise paid.

Which cancels fewer flights, American or United?

In 2025 American cancelled 1.8% of its flights and United 0.8%, so United had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are American and United partners?

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

AA vs UA · 2026 comparison

American vs United

Q: Do American and United include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a bigger personal item and better Wi-Fi access; United wins on 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

Wins 3 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A bigger personal item
Better Wi-Fi access

United

Wins 2 categories

A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

Quick verdict

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a bigger personal item and better Wi-Fi access; United wins on a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · United: $45
Standard economy legroom: American: About 30 in · United: About 30 in
Wi-Fi: American: Free for members · United: Free on some planes
On-time arrivals (2025): American: 72.7% · United: 77.7%

Side by side

	American	United
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	17 × 10 × 9 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 30 in	About 30 in
Wi-Fi	Free for members	Free on some planes
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	72.7%	77.7%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.8%	0.8%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	MileagePlus
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO

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).

American includes it on every fare, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

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 United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Seats and Wi-Fi

American gives about 30 in of legroom in standard economy and United about 30 in. American: About 30 in in Main Cabin; 34 in or more in Main Cabin Extra. United: About 30 in in Economy; 34 in or more in Economy Plus.

Wi-Fi on American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. On United: Free for MileagePlus members on Starlink-equipped planes (fleetwide by end of 2027); otherwise paid.

On-time performance

In 2025, American landed 72.7% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.8%; United landed 77.7% on time and cancelled 0.8%. That makes United 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 United is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and MileagePlus (United).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a bigger personal item
better Wi-Fi access
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose United if you want…

a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

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.