American Airlines Named Best U.S. Airline in Comprehensive Comparison

NEW YORK, NY — In a comprehensive analysis of the three largest U.S. airlines, American Airlines emerged as the top choice. The review by NerdWallet compared Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines based on several key factors including destinations, operational reliability, and customer service fees.

American Airlines leads in loyalty programs and basic economy policies, aiming to provide a more customer-friendly experience. Passengers can bring a full-size carry-on bag and earn AAdvantage miles, unlike United Airlines, which restricts basic economy passengers from bringing carry-ons unless they have elite status.

United Airlines, based in Chicago, excels in international routes but struggles with reliability, posting a 79.6% on-time percentage from July 2023 to June 2024, and canceling 1.8% of its flights. Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, surpasses its rivals in operational metrics, boasting an 83.8% on-time rate and minimal denied boardings.

On the flip side, American Airlines, which serves 350 destinations globally, ranks lowest for mishandled baggage among the three. The airline’s recent updates to its basic economy policies have made it a favorable option for budget-conscious travelers, allowing for cancellation of tickets for a travel credit.

Delta remains a strong contender with extensive route offerings and superior operational reliability. However, it falls short in basic economy flexibility, offering fewer customer-friendly policies compared to American Airlines.

While American Airlines dominates in loyalty programs, Delta’s offerings are close behind, particularly its diverse portfolio of credit cards. United’s loyalty structure ranked lower overall, which impacted its score in the analysis.

The results reflect an increasingly competitive airline industry where customer experience factors significantly into traveler choices.