Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines are the three largest US-based carriers. Determining which one offers the best value for money depends on various factors such as route, aircraft age, and passenger priorities.
Delta Air Lines is a full-service carrier with hubs at several major airports including Boston Logan International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It was founded in 1929 and is part of the SkyTeam alliance. According to Skytrax rankings, Delta is considered the best among these airlines, holding the 21st position globally with a 3-star rating. United Airlines follows as the second-highest ranked US airline at 42nd place worldwide, while American Airlines ranks 78th.
Skytrax evaluates airlines based on cabin comfort, staff service, onboard entertainment, and catering. Another ranking by AirlineRatings.com emphasizes safety but did not list any US-based airline among the top 25 full-service airlines for 2025. Instead, Delta, United, and American were categorized as "hybrid" carriers with Delta leading in comfort and safety ratings.