United vs. American Airlines : Which is Better & Why?

Key Takeaways:

United Airlines and American Airlines are two of the biggest airlines in the United States.
Travelers often find themselves in a dilemma when choosing between American Airlines or United Airlines, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights.
For those wondering, ‘Is American Airlines Good?’ It is an excellent choice if you mostly fly within the United States, whereas United Airlines is a better choice for international travel with its Star Alliance partners.

Both American and United Airlines are major carriers in the US, offering similar services in terms of route network, amenities, baggage policies, and customer service.

Thus, it can be tricky to choose between the two.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning a special trip, knowing which airline best suits your needs can save you time, money, and stress!

Let’s dive into various factors you need to consider and find out which one is better: American Airlines vs. United.

Where does each airline fly – Travel routes and destinations

When talking about United Airlines vs American Airlines, it’s important to know the places you can travel to! United serves over 210 airports in the United States and 120 internationally.

On the other hand, American Airlines, the largest U.S. airline by available seats, offers daily flights to more than 350 destinations in 60 countries.

It has a more enhanced domestic reach than United, thanks to AA’s partnership with Alaska Airlines.

For those wondering, ‘Is American Airlines good?’ the answer is pretty clear! Similarly, United’s global network flies to twice as many international destinations as American, connecting to 1,200 airports worldwide.

So, if you’re choosing based on connectivity to domestic destinations, then American Airlines is your best choice.

But United Airlines is the natural choice for flyers seeking wide global connectivity with the Star Alliance membership.

Both airlines provide extensive coverage across both the U.S. and international route network, where United has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions, while American Airlines operates significantly in Europe and the Caribbean.

Price & Value for Money : Basic Economy

Knowing different flight fares is essential when comparing the airlines. United Airlines imposes the strictest rules compared to other carriers, whereas American Airlines has a relatively more lenient policy for its passengers.

Basic Economy Fare in the United:

No full-sized carry-on bag allowed
Only a personal item allowed
No seat selection or flight changes are permitted
No elite upgrades or upgrades to premium cabins
Standard basic economy seats do not earn Premier Qualifying Miles

Basic Economy Fare in the American:

Carry-on bag included
Seat selection is available after you check-in
Elite upgrades allowed
Same-day confirmed and standby options
Miles and Loyalty Points can be earned

United vs. American Airlines: Business Class Comparison

Business class in both airlines comes with exceptional services with lie-flat seats.

United’s Polaris business class fare has the upper hand over American Airlines’ Flagship cabin, as it has an extended international flight network.

Seats & Comfort
United Polaris: Features lie-flat seats with direct aisle access, designed for privacy and comfort. The seats include ample storage, adjustable lighting, and luxurious bedding by Saks Fifth Avenue.

American Flagship: Also offers lie-flat seats with direct aisle access, varying slightly by aircraft. The seats are spacious with customizable settings and a versatile workspace, focusing on personal comfort.
Meal Quality
United Polaris: Offers a multi-course dining experience crafted by top chefs, with a focus on quality and presentation. Meals are paired with a selection of premium wines, enhancing the in-flight dining experience.

American Flagship: Provides a customizable dining experience with seasonal menus and high-quality ingredients. The option to pre-order meals and a curated wine selection by expert sommeliers add to the luxury.
Overall Experience
United Polaris: Excels in seat privacy and comfort, making it ideal for passengers who prioritize rest and relaxation.

American Flagship: Shines in offering a personalized dining experience, perfect for those who enjoy customizing their meals and beverage choices.

Airline Fees

For the United vs. American Airlines comparison, you must analyze several factors, including checked baggage fees, carry-on fees, and others.

United Baggage Fees

United Baggage Fees vary based on when you pay for it:

Fee Type	Cost (Prepaid)	Cost (At the airport)
Checked Bag (1st Bag)	$35	$40
Checked Bag (2nd Bag)	$45	$50

American Baggage Fees

American Baggage Fees also varies based on when you pay for it, but is lower for 2nd bag.

Fee Type	Cost (Prepaid)	Cost (At the airport)
Checked Bag (1st Bag)	$35	$40
Checked Bag (2nd Bag)	$40	$45

On average, passengers incur relatively less fees when flying with the American.

United vs. American Airlines: Airport Lounge Network

When comparing the airport lounge networks of United and American Airlines, both offer a high-end experience, though each has its unique strengths.

United’s lounges, known as United Clubs and Polaris Lounges, are renowned for their expansive global presence.

United Clubs provide travelers with comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi, while Polaris Lounges, available to Business Class and Polaris passengers, elevate the experience with gourmet dining, premium cocktails, and shower facilities.

American Airlines counters with its Admirals Clubs and Flagship Lounges.

Admirals Clubs are similar to United Clubs, offering a quiet space to relax with light refreshments and business amenities.

However, the Flagship Lounges are where American truly shines.

These lounges provide an upscale experience, with chef-inspired meals, premium drinks, and dedicated areas for rest and relaxation, catering especially to long-haul international and transcontinental flyers.

In summary, United’s lounge network stands out for its extensive reach, particularly in U.S. hubs, while American’s Flagship Lounges deliver a superior luxury experience for premium travelers.

Your choice may depend on where you fly and the level of exclusivity you seek.

Loyalty Program and Benefits

An airline’s frequent flyer program plays a significant role in attracting loyal customers. United Airlines offers the MileagePlus program, and American Airlines has an AAdvantage program.

These loyalty programs allow members to earn miles based on flights or dollars spent on eligible purchases, redeemable for various rewards like flights and upgrades.

It provides several perks depending on your elite status with the airline, such as priority check-in, free airport lounge access, upgrades, and priority boarding.

MileagePlus has four Premier status levels – Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premium Platinum, and Premier 1K, elevating your travel experience.

But United’s elite status is not as worthwhile as the comparable one offered by American.

The AAdvantage program stands out as one of the most lucrative elite memberships among airlines due to its flexibility.

It consists of four tiers- Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum.

Overall, the American AAdvantage frequent flyer program outshines United MileagePlus in terms of value offered to members.

The miles earned with American are generally more useful, and the airline has great sweet spot awards.

Also, passengers with AAdvantage elite status enjoy more valuable benefits at every next level compared to United. The choice between these two airline programs will depend on your preferences and travel habits.

Bottomline : United vs. American Airlines – Which is better and why?

Well, American Airlines is a clear winner if it comes to domestic travel.

It boasts an excellent elite program, offers more domestic flights, and allows passengers with basic economy tickets to bring carry-on luggage without extra charges.

Is United a good airline? International travelers will benefit from United Airlines, thanks to their extensive global network, numerous options for business and leisure trips worldwide, and in-flight experience with enhanced comfort and amenities.

Criteria for Comparison	United vs. American Airlines : Which is better and why?
1. Travel Routes and Destinations	⭐American Airlines – Best for Domestic Travel United Airlines – Perfect for International Flyers
2. Basic Economy Fare	⭐American Airlines – Carry-on Baggage Allowance
3. Business Class Fare	⭐United Airlines – United Polaris Business Class lie-flat seats and premium benefits
4. Airline Fees	⭐American Airlines – Lower Fees and More Favorable Policies
5. Loyalty Program and Benefits	⭐American Airlines – AAdvantage Program offers Elite Status Tiers with Exclusive Perks
6. Safety	⭐(Tie) United Airlines and American Airlines – Both are reputable carriers that comply with the industry’s safety protocols
7. Customer Service	⭐American Airlines – Known for Friendly and Helpful Customer Support
8. In-Flight Experience	⭐United Airlines – Comfortable Legroom, In-Flight Entertainment Options, Delicious Food & Beverages, etc

Always consider your specific travel needs and preferences when deciding between United vs. American Airlines, as both of them have their own strengths, and the best choice ultimately depends on what matters the most to you as a traveler!

United vs. American Airlines FAQs

Which is better, United Airlines or American Airlines?

Both United Airlines and American Airlines are major carriers in the US aviation industry, each with its own unique perks.

Picking the better one between the two often comes down to personal preferences.

For domestic flyers, American Airlines is undoubtedly the better choice, offering more flights within the United States.

You also benefit from the AA loyalty program and one carry-on bag free with the cheapest basic economy ticket.

On the other hand, United Airlines is the better option for international travel, thanks to its extensive global network and partners and top-notch in-flight experience.

Ultimately, the ‘better’ airline between United and American Airlines depends on individual needs and priorities.

What is the nicest airline in the US?

Determining the ‘nicest’ airline is subjective and can vary based on factors like personal experiences and preferences.

Popular options include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and American Airlines.

They are known for their extensive network, customer service, amenities, and overall passenger satisfaction.

Which airline has more legroom, United or American?

In terms of legroom, American Airlines offers slightly more legroom than United Airlines in economy class.

The American has a seat pitch of 31 inches, and United provides a 30.2-inch seat pitch.

However, specific seat configurations can vary by aircraft type and route.

Is United Airlines the best airline?

Whether United Airlines is the best airline depends on your specific travel needs and preferences.

United Airlines excels in its international route networks through its Star Alliance partnership, has better reliability, offers top-notch comfort for its passengers, and is one of the best business class (Polaris).

Is United Airlines Safe?

Yes, United Airlines is considered safe, as it adheres to the industry’s safety standards and protocols.

The airline has passed safety audits and is among the top 25 safest airlines in the world.

United vs. American Airlines