American Airlines
AA · United States
Expert Editorial ReviewFlightLogic score: 7.5/10
American Airlines vs United Airlines
Side-by-side policy and rating comparison — baggage, Wi-Fi, legroom, lounges, and loyalty programmes.
Verdict
United Airlines scores higher on FlightLogic at 7.7/10 vs 7.5/10 for American Airlines. Policy comparison below covers cabin baggage, checked bags, Wi-Fi, and seat pitch.
Comparison data last updated 6 July 2026
Policy comparison
Structured operational tokens — verify current fare rules on each airline before booking.
| Policy | American Airlines | United Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin baggage | Included | Included |
| Checked baggage | First bag fee domestic; intl varies | Intl often 1×23 kg; domestic fees apply |
| In-flight Wi-Fi | Partial (messaging/select routes) | Partial (messaging/select routes) |
| Economy seat pitch | 30–31" | 30–31" |
| Loyalty programme | AAdvantage | MileagePlus |
| Lounge access | Admirals Club / Flagship Lounge | United Club / Polaris |
| Changes & refunds | No change fees most fares; Basic Economy restricted | No change fees most fares; Basic Economy restricted |
Individual profiles
United Airlines
UA · United States
Expert Editorial ReviewFlightLogic score: 7.7/10
Editorial profiles
United States · AA/AAL · #1 in this comparison
American Airlines
Great is what we're going for
#18 Global 4-Star
7.5 / 10
Quick Answer
American Airlines scores 7.5/10 on FlightLogic (safety 9.0/10), ranking #18 globally. in-flight Wi-Fi is paid or partial on most long-haul routes. Special meals require pre-order on long-haul.
Is American Airlines a good airline?
American Airlines scores 7.5/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic, ranking #18 globally with a safety score of 9.0/10. American Airlines is the world's largest airline by fleet size and a oneworld founding member, operating extensive transatlantic service from London plus a dominant Latin America network from Miami. See full profile →
Overall 7.5 Very Good
Safety 9.0 Excellent Safety
Service 7.6 Cabin crew & ground
Value 7.5 Fare vs product
Star rating 4★ FlightLogic tier
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology
Score breakdown
Key facts
- Hub
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) / Charlotte (CLT) / Miami (MIA)
- Alliance
- oneworld
- Founded
- 1930
- Fleet
- 950 aircraft
- Region
- americas
- IATA / ICAO
- AA / AAL
Passenger policies
| Cabin baggage | Included — standard carry-on allowance applies |
|---|---|
| Checked baggage | First bag fee domestic; intl varies |
| In-flight Wi-Fi | Partial — free messaging or select routes/cabins only |
| Economy seat pitch | 30–31" |
| Lounge access | Admirals Club / Flagship Lounge |
| Changes & refunds | No change fees most fares; Basic Economy restricted |
| Loyalty programme | AAdvantage |
Strengths
- Flagship Lounge at MIA and JFK
- Extensive oneworld network
- Strong London–US presence with BA joint venture
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent premium product across fleet
- DFW hub can feel crowded
Awards & recognition
- Oneworld founding member
- Largest airline fleet globally
7.7 / 10
Quick Answer
United Airlines scores 7.7/10 on FlightLogic (safety 9.1/10), ranking #17 globally. in-flight Wi-Fi is paid or partial on most long-haul routes. Special meals require pre-order on long-haul.
Is United Airlines a good airline?
United Airlines scores 7.7/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic, ranking #17 globally with a safety score of 9.1/10. United Airlines is a Star Alliance founding member with Polaris business class on long-haul, an extensive global network from Chicago, Newark, and San Francisco, and MileagePlus as a core loyalty programme for UK–US routings. See full profile →
Overall 7.7 Very Good
Safety 9.1 Excellent Safety
Service 7.8 Cabin crew & ground
Value 7.6 Fare vs product
Star rating 4★ FlightLogic tier
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology
Score breakdown
Key facts
- Hub
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD) / Newark (EWR) / San Francisco (SFO)
- Alliance
- star alliance
- Founded
- 1926
- Fleet
- 900 aircraft
- Region
- americas
- IATA / ICAO
- UA / UAL
Passenger policies
| Cabin baggage | Included — standard carry-on allowance applies |
|---|---|
| Checked baggage | Intl often 1×23 kg; domestic fees apply |
| In-flight Wi-Fi | Partial — free messaging or select routes/cabins only |
| Economy seat pitch | 30–31" |
| Lounge access | United Club / Polaris |
| Changes & refunds | No change fees most fares; Basic Economy restricted |
| Loyalty programme | MileagePlus |
Strengths
- Polaris lounges and lie-flat business
- Extensive Star Alliance network
- Strong SFO and ORD hubs
Weaknesses
- Basic Economy restrictions
- Polaris product varies by aircraft age
Awards & recognition
- Star Alliance founding member
- Polaris business class
FAQ
Which is better — American Airlines or United Airlines?
United Airlines scores higher on FlightLogic at 7.7/10 vs 7.5/10 for American Airlines. Policy comparison below covers cabin baggage, checked bags, Wi-Fi, and seat pitch.
Does American Airlines or United Airlines include a carry-on bag?
American Airlines: Included. United Airlines: Included.
Which has free Wi-Fi — American Airlines or United Airlines?
American Airlines: Partial (messaging/select routes). United Airlines: Partial (messaging/select routes).
Does American Airlines include checked baggage?
American Airlines checked baggage: First bag fee domestic; intl varies.
Does United Airlines include checked baggage?
United Airlines checked baggage: Intl often 1×23 kg; domestic fees apply.