DL vs UA · 2026 comparison
Delta vs United
Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, more legroom, better Wi-Fi access and a better on-time record; United wins on 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
Delta
DLWins 4 categories
- A carry-on on its cheapest fare
- More legroom
- Better Wi-Fi access
- A better on-time record
United
UAWins 1 category
- Fewer cancellations
Quick verdict
Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, more legroom, better Wi-Fi access and a better on-time record; United wins on fewer cancellations. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.
- Carry-on size
- Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Carry-on on the cheapest fare
- Delta: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares
- First checked bag (regular economy)
- Delta: $45 · United: $45
- Standard economy legroom
- Delta: About 31 in · United: About 30 in
- Wi-Fi
- Delta: Free for members · United: Free on some planes
- On-time arrivals (2025)
- Delta: 79.1% · United: 77.7%
Side by side
| Delta | 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 | Must fit under the seat | 17 × 10 × 9 in |
| First checked bag (regular economy) | $45 | $45 |
| Comfort | ||
| Standard economy legroom | About 31 in | About 30 in |
| Wi-Fi | Free for members | Free on some planes |
| Reliability | ||
| On-time arrivals (2025) | 79.1% | 77.7% |
| Flights cancelled (2025) | 1.1% | 0.8% |
| Network | ||
| Alliance | SkyTeam | Star Alliance |
| Loyalty program | SkyMiles | MileagePlus |
| Main hubs | ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK | 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).
Delta includes it on every fare, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.
Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.
Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Delta, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.
A first checked bag on Delta costs $45 on U.S. 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
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.
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
Delta gives about 31 in of legroom in standard economy and United about 30 in, an edge for Delta. Delta: About 31 in in Main Cabin; 34–35 in in Comfort. United: About 30 in in Economy; 34 in or more in Economy Plus.
Wi-Fi on Delta: Free for SkyMiles members on most flights. On United: Free for MileagePlus members on Starlink-equipped planes (fleetwide by end of 2027); otherwise paid.
On-time performance
In 2025, Delta landed 79.1% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.1%; United landed 77.7% on time and cancelled 0.8%. 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
Delta is in SkyTeam and United is in Star Alliance.
Loyalty programs: SkyMiles (Delta) and MileagePlus (United).
Delta's main hubs are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). 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 Delta if you want…
- a carry-on on its cheapest fare
- more legroom
- better Wi-Fi access
- a better on-time record
- to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
- nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP
Choose United if you want…
- 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.
Delta vs United FAQ
It depends on what matters most to you. Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, more legroom, better Wi-Fi access and a better on-time record; United wins on fewer cancellations. 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.
- Delta Air Lines official baggage policy
- CNBC: Delta and Southwest raise checked bag fees $10 (Apr 7, 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
- United Airlines official baggage policy
- CNBC: United raises checked bag fees by $10 (Apr 2, 2026)
Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.
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