American Airlines vs Delta: Which Airline is Better?

For travelers based in the United States, three major legacy carriers dominate the domestic market – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. While all three airlines offer a vast network of routes, award-winning frequent flyer programs, and solid business class products, there are distinct differences that can make one a better choice over the others depending on your needs.

In this in-depth comparison, we’ll analyze how American Airlines and Delta stack up across key areas like routes, reliability, fees, basic economy experience, loyalty programs, credit cards, and premium cabins. We’ll draw insights from the provided resources as well as additional research to determine which airline offers a better overall experience.

Routes and Destinations

When it comes to route networks, both American and Delta are global powerhouses with a significant domestic presence and international reach. However, there are some differences in their strengths.

American Airlines has a relatively larger route network, serving around 350 destinations across more than 50 countries. Its major hubs are concentrated in Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Charlotte. As a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, which includes British Airways and Qantas, American offers seamless connections to an even broader range of international destinations.

Delta, on the other hand, flies to over 300 destinations in 58 countries. Its major hubs are located in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. As a SkyTeam member airline, Delta partners with Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and others to expand its global footprint.

For travelers based near one of American’s or Delta’s major hubs, the airline with a stronger presence in that city may be the more convenient choice. However, for those with flexibility, both carriers offer extensive domestic and international route networks.

Reliability and On-Time Performance

When it comes to operational reliability, Delta consistently outperforms American Airlines. According to data analyzed by NerdWallet for flights between July 2022 and May 2023, Delta had a higher percentage of on-time flights, fewer cancellations, and fewer mishandled bags compared to American.

Specifically, Delta achieved an impressive 80.8% on-time performance, while American stood at 76.44%. Delta also canceled only 1.6% of its flights, while American’s cancellation rate was 1.52%. Furthermore, Delta mishandled one bag per 189 checked bags, faring better than American’s rate of one per 117 bags.

For travelers who value punctuality and a smoother journey, Delta’s superior operational reliability gives it a distinct advantage over American Airlines.

Fees and Basic Economy Experience

Both American and Delta charge comparable fees for services like checked bags, seat selection, and ticket changes. However, American Airlines tends to have slightly lower fees overall, especially for premium seat selection.

NerdWallet’s analysis found that American charged an average of $23 for a seat near the front of the plane, compared to Delta’s $28.33 fee. Additionally, American’s pet fee ($150 each way) is higher than Delta’s ($95 each way) for domestic flights.

When it comes to basic economy fares, American Airlines takes the lead with more generous policies. American’s basic economy passengers can bring a full-size carry-on bag, earn miles (albeit at a reduced rate), and are eligible for upgrades if they have elite status. Delta’s basic economy fares, on the other hand, don’t earn any miles, and the tickets are non-changeable and non-upgradeable.

Furthermore, NerdWallet found that upgrading from basic economy to main cabin costs an average of $72 on American, compared to $70 on Delta – a relatively small difference.

Overall, American Airlines offers a better basic economy experience and generally lower fees, making it a more cost-effective choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Airline Loyalty Programs

Both American Airlines’ AAdvantage and Delta’s SkyMiles are among the most rewarding airline loyalty programs in the United States. However, NerdWallet’s analysis found that AAdvantage comes out slightly ahead in terms of the value it offers to members.

AAdvantage earned a higher rewards rate of 7.10% per dollar spent with the airline, compared to SkyMiles’ 5.04% rate. This means that AAdvantage members can expect to get more value back in the form of miles for their spending.

Additionally, American’s elite status tiers are generally more valuable than Delta’s. For instance, NerdWallet found that AAdvantage Gold status is worth over $2,800 per year, while Delta’s equivalent Silver Medallion status is valued at around $1,700.

However, it’s worth noting that Delta’s co-branded credit cards, issued by American Express, offer a diverse range of benefits and are generally considered more rewarding than American’s credit card portfolio. Delta’s cards provide perks like free checked bags, discounted award redemptions, and even complimentary lounge access on higher-tier cards.

For travelers seeking maximum value from their airline loyalty program and the ability to earn elite status more quickly, American Airlines’ AAdvantage offers a slight edge over Delta’s SkyMiles.

Premium Cabin Experience

When it comes to the business class experience, both American Airlines and Delta offer competitive products, but American takes the lead in terms of consistency and overall quality.

Delta’s Delta One business class features lie-flat seats with direct aisle access on most long-haul international flights. However, the airline still operates some older aircraft with outdated business class cabins, leading to an inconsistent experience.

American Airlines, on the other hand, has retired its older aircraft with subpar business class products, leaving only modern lie-flat seats with direct aisle access across its entire international fleet. The airline has also announced plans to introduce a new business class product in 2024, further enhancing its premium cabin offerings.

Additionally, American’s Flagship Business and Business Plus products on long-haul flights provide a more comprehensive suite of amenities, including complimentary Flagship Lounge access, premium dining, and enhanced bedding and amenity kits.

While Delta’s Delta One suites are impressive, American’s consistent and continuously improving business class experience gives it an edge for premium cabin travelers.

Overall Winner: American Airlines

Based on our analysis across various factors, American Airlines emerges as the better choice among the two major U.S. carriers in 2024, although the margin is relatively narrow.

American’s strengths lie in its extensive route network, more generous basic economy policies, lower fees, more rewarding loyalty program, and consistent premium cabin experience. While Delta excels in operational reliability and has a slightly better credit card portfolio, American’s advantages outweigh Delta’s in most other areas.

However, it’s important to note that the “best” airline can vary from person to person based on individual preferences, travel patterns, and home airport proximity. For travelers based near a Delta hub or those who value on-time performance above all else, Delta may still be the preferred choice.

Ultimately, both American Airlines and Delta offer solid products and services, and the decision between the two should factor in your specific needs and priorities as a traveler.