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American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are two of the largest U.S.-based airlines, with extensive networks that serve the U.S. and abroad. American is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, while Delta is part of SkyTeam.
If you’re trying to figure out if American or Delta is better for you, this guide breaks down their key differences when it comes to hub airports, loyalty programs, onboard service, schedules and fares.
» Learn more: The year's best airlines
Where they’re based and where they fly
Winner for most options: American
American
American has major hubs across the country. The airline serves more than 350 destinations in 60 countries.
American’s hubs:
- Charlotte.
- Chicago.
- Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Los Angeles.
- Miami.
- New York.
- Philadelphia.
- Phoenix.
- Washington, D.C.
Delta
Delta is also large, with 290 destinations in 68 countries and 5,000 daily flights to six continents. While Delta serves fewer destinations than American, it operates an expansive network.
Delta's hubs:
- Atlanta.
- Boston.
- Detroit.
- Los Angeles.
- Minneapolis-St. Paul.
- New York.
- Salt Lake City.
- Seattle.
» Learn more: The complete guide to Delta partner airlines
Airline rewards programs
Winner for elite status and rewards: American
American’s loyalty program, AAdvantage, provides impressive value to members, especially because they can earn Loyalty Points to attain elite status in more ways than Delta offers.
You don’t even have to take an American flight to earn Loyalty Points toward elite status. You can earn points for spending on credit cards and shopping online. But then, what good is elite status if you don’t fly?
While the airline relies on a semi-dynamic award chart for its flights and those of its partners, it offers more value than Delta, which is known for exorbitantly pricing its awards. American miles are valuable. NerdWallet gives each mile a value of 1.3 cents.
In fact, a recent NerdWallet analysis named American’s elite status as the most valuable among U.S. carriers.
» Learn more: The beginner’s guide to airline elite status
Delta SkyMiles
Delta’s SkyMiles program can offer sweet spots from time to time, especially for economy class awards, but the airline has done its best to chip away at them. It’s hard to extract value from the loyalty program if you're hoping to redeem miles for a business- or first-class award flight.
Delta has downgraded perks associated with some of its Choice Benefits, which are offered to top-tier elite members. For example, Global Upgrade Certificates are only valid for a one-class upgrade from economy to premium economy or premium economy to business on Delta flights. American’s systemwide certificates are good from economy to business class.
This is why NerdWallet allocates a slightly lower value to SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each. Interestingly, Delta has improved in NerdWallet’s rankings for best elite status for its top two tiers, but American still comes out ahead.
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Extra fees
Winner for lowest fees: Delta
Delta leads in this category, though American isn’t far behind. They’re at No. 1 and 2, respectively, for checked bag and seat selection fees. You’ll pay $80 on each airline for two checked bags. To choose a seat on Delta, you’ll pay $24.99 compared to $33.33 with American.
Both offer waivers for elite status members and credit cardholders, which is worth noting if you often fly with checked bags or prefer to pay for seat selection.
In-flight experience
Winner of the sky: Delta
Delta
Delta offers Delta Main, Delta Comfort and first class on domestic flights. Its first class seat is a large-style recliner with an entertainment screen. Free drinks and meals are the norm in first class, and Delta Comfort passengers enjoy more legroom and free drinks with upgraded snacks.
Economy passengers also select from available snack choices and enjoy nonalcoholic drinks free of charge on short flights or meals and alcohol (in addition to snacks) on long-haul flights. On most Delta planes, all seats have an entertainment screen.
Premium economy on international flights offers an experience similar to domestic first class. Those in Delta One, the airline’s premium business-class product, will enjoy a lie-flat seat, high-end meals and complimentary alcoholic drinks. Each of Delta’s planes offers a different seat layout in Delta One. Some of its newer planes have private doors at the seat, while others are still constrained with limited foot space.
» Learn more: The best airline for in-flight entertainment
American
American offers economy and first class on domestic flights. The first class seats are similar to Delta’s and are like large recliners, although some lack in-flight entertainment screens.
First class passengers enjoy complimentary meals and beverages in flight, and those in Main Cabin Extra seats also receive a free drink. All other passengers enjoy nonalcoholic drinks and snacks.
On longer flights, American has first and business class with fully flat beds and a premium economy cabin. Both of these are comfortable on long flights. In economy class, alcoholic drinks and meals are complimentary on long-haul flights.
» Learn more: Guide to Delta One and Delta first class
Reliability
Winner for most reliable: Delta
If you want to get where you’re going, choose Delta. Along with better overall operations, Delta easily leads American for reliability, on-time arrivals, flight cancellations and mishandled bags, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
Here’s the breakdown: Delta is the second most reliable airline overall, while American is a distant last. Delta has the best on-time rate at 80.27%, while American has the worst at 74.27%. Delta cancels 1.37% of its flights, while American cancels 2.00% of them. And for mishandled bags, Delta is near the top of the pack with 0.46%, while American ranks last at 0.71%.
Airline credit cards
Winner for its variety of credit cards: Tie
American
American has five Citi credit cards, including some that include access to Admirals Clubs, American’s lounge network. Perhaps the best feature of American’s credit cards — some of which have no or low annual fees — is the fact that you can spend your way to elite status when using them.
Delta
Delta’s co-branded cards are issued by American Express and come with different annual fees that are proportionate to the benefits they offer. The most premium Delta-branded cards get you Sky Club access, which is Delta’s lounge network, though certain limits apply.
Like American, some of the perks of holding a Delta co-branded credit card include earlier boarding and free checked bags.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
Other factors to consider
NerdWallet's best airline analysis this year ranked Delta higher than American in several categories, and its performance and program fees have a lot to do with it. This is how the two airlines compare across various categories:
- American scored higher than Delta in rewards rates because it allows customers to extract more value, especially premium cabin awards, on American flights.
- American’s elite status scored higher than Delta’s.
- Delta has a much more reliable operation than American, outpacing its competitor. Delta is ranked second overall, while American ranks last in NerdWallet’s ranking.
- Delta scored slightly better than American on fees, though it charges more fees for customers who originate travel in Europe.
Delta vs. American: The results
While American edges out Delta when it comes to its loyalty program and elite status, Delta is a more reliable and friendlier airline overall. If you’re choosing an airline for a better onboard product and more pleasant lounge experience, Delta is your carrier.
But if you value upgrades and elite status, choose American. Both airlines will fly you to your destination safely and in relative comfort, but depending on what you value, there are pros and cons to each.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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