American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are the three largest airlines in the United States by fleet size. Each giant has a mainline fleet of around 1,000 aircraft. While all three operate large widebody fleets and fly to international destinations around the world, most of their aircraft are narrowbody aircraft, and most of their routes are domestic.
As these are legacy full-service mainline carriers, all three adhere to maintaining a higher level of service compared with low-cost carriers. Low-cost carriers like Allegiant and Frontier are much more focused on cutting services to the bone. Neither offers in-flight Wi-Fi, and both only offer economy seats, although Frontier is rolling out premium seating at the end of 2025. Of these three major US airlines, which has the best economy class?
Boeing 737-800 Economy Comparison
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It is somewhat complicated comparing different aircraft types between airlines, but all three operate large fleets of the popular Boeing 737-800 Next Generation narrowbody aircraft. Delta operates 77, United operates 141, and American operates 303 of this type. Delta’s -800s are configured with 160 seats that include 16 business class seats and 144 economy class seats, of which 36 are Delta Comfort. Regular economy class seats have a seat width of 17.3 inches and a seat pitch of 31-32 inches. WiFi, USD in-seat power, in-seat power outlets, and personal videos are also available.
United Airlines’ -800s come with 165 seats made up of 16 business class seats and 150 economy class seats, of which 48 are United Economy Plus seats. The normal economy class Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seats have a width of 16.3″ – 17.3, while the seat pitch is 30 inches. United has more than one Boeing 737-800 configuration, so some measurements may be different on other aircraft.
American Airlines -800s are fitted with 172 seats, of which 16 are business class and 156 are economy class, of which 24 are Main Cabin Extra. The regular economy class seats have a seat width of 16.6 to 17.8 inches and have a seat pitch of 30 inches. WiFi and in-seat power is available, as is entertainment on a personal device.
Seats In Boeing 737-800s
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When it comes to the seats themselves, United fits its 737-800 economy class seats with Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seats. They are also able to recline by 2 inches. American Airlines fits Collins Meridian seats into its -800s, and these are also able to recline 2 inches. Delta uses different seat manufacturers for its 737-800s, including Recaro.
The Collins Meridian seat is a significant upgrade to the Collins Aerospace Pinnacle. The Meridian was first unveiled in 2018 and comes with a sleek design, flexible armrest, a headrest with a red ring, a deep charcoal-blue-black color, and more. Pinnacle seats are a more traditional design with an emphasis on functionality. Collins claims that “more than a third of all narrow-body commercial aircraft feature our economy class seats, making it the choice of airlines around the globe.”
Boeing 737-800:
Delta Air Lines:
United Airlines:
American Airlines:
Total seating:
160
165
172
Economy class seating:
144
150
156
Seat pitch:
31-32 inches
30 inches
30 inches
Economy seat type:
unclear
Collins Pinnacle
Collins Meridian
In 2022, Delta announced it is refreshing its Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin economy seats on select Boeing 737-800s, although it didn’t specify what economy seats these would be. These are to be upgraded with 10-inch Panasonic seatback screens, while the aircraft’s lavatories would be upgraded with touchless features. It also rolled out new business class seats on its Boeing 737-800s.
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Airbus A321neo Seat Comparison
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All three airlines also operate the Airbus A321neo, with Delta having a fleet of 74, United having 34, and American having 84. These are some of the youngest aircraft of any fleet. Delta’s A321neos are fitted with 194 seats, including 20 business seats and 174 economy seats (42 Delta Comfort seats). The main cabin seats have a seat width of 18 inches and a pitch of 31 inches. Delta uses Collins Aerospace Meridian slimline seats in economy class.
United’s A321neos are configured with 200 seats, including 20 business and 180 economy (of which 57 are United Economy Plus). Economy seats have a standard seat pitch of 30 inches and a seat recline of 2 inches. The width of these Collins Aerospace Meridian slimline seats is 18.4 inches.
Airbus A321neo:
Delta Air Lines:
United Airlines:
American Airlines:
Total seating:
194
200
196
Economy class seats:
174
180
176
Seat pitch:
31 inches
30 inches
30 inches
Economy seat type:
Collins Aerospace Meridian
Collins Aerospace Meridian
Collins Aerospace Meridian
American Airlines is configuring its A321neos with 196 seats. Like Delta and United, it has 20 business class seats, while also having 176 economy seats (47 Main Cabin Extra seats). Regular economy seats have 34-39 inches of pitch and are 16.6 to 18.4 inches in width. Like Delta and United, American’s economy class A321neo seats are Collins Meridian slimline seats.
Age Of Aircraft & Types
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Other factors influencing which airline has the most comfortable economy seats are the type and age of the aircraft flown. As a rule of thumb, newer aircraft are more comfortable as they are quieter and, in the case of widebodies, new aircraft designs like the 787 and A350 boast greater cabin pressurization. Delta’s mainline fleet is on average 15.1 years old, United is 15.7 years, and American is 14.1 years, meaning there is little difference in overall age.
Notable in its fleet, Delta still operates 80 Boeing 717 aircraft, which are the final variant of the DC-9 family of jets. While the DC-9s are noted for being loud, the Boeing 717 was noted for being quiet for its time. Regarding widebody aircraft, the Boeing 767 is an aging aircraft, and Delta and United operate large aging fleets of the jet. It was replaced by the clean-sheet Boeing 787 Dreamliner that offers larger windows, higher cabin pressure, and other comforts for the passengers.
Delta has not purchased the Dreamliner, but has instead purchased the modern A350. Delta has 60 Boeing 767s and 37 modern Airbus A350s (and 36 A330neos) in service. United has 53 Boeing 767s in service and 78 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. American has no Boeing 767s, but has 63 Dreamliners; its only other widebody aircraft type is its 67 Boeing 777s.
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How Cabin Pressurization Impacts Passenger Comfort
Higher cabin pressure typically means a more comfortable experience for passengers.
What To Expect From Basic Economy Fares
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Delta’s basic economy fares come with limited flexibility when making changes or cancellations. The fare does not earn any mileage, although passengers can expect complimentary snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and in-flight entertainment. Delta says, “Trip flexibility is limited – ticket changes are not allowed after the 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation period, but the option to cancel for a fee may be available.”
American basic economy fares also come with free snacks, soft drinks, and in-flight entertainment. Changes are likewise limited, although, like Delta, American basic economy fares include one carry-on bag and one personal item. American Airlines basic economy tickets do earn miles, although at reduced rates. AAdvantage members earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Basic Economy fares, rising to 5 miles per dollar for Main Cabin fares.
Flying basic economy with United, passengers can expect to receive complementary snacks and drinks on flights over 300 miles. Passengers can also earn miles with basic fare tickets. When it comes to baggage, passengers can carry one personal item able to fit under the seat. However, it does not include carry-on bags, except for flights to South America, across the Atlantic, or international flights across the Pacific. On other flights, these bags need to be paid for and checked in.
Broadly Similar Legacy Carriers
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The economy class comfort of Delta, United, and American is broadly similar. One notable limitation with United’s basic fares is that it doesn’t include a carry-on bag on most flights. Comparing the narrowbody A321neo and Boeing 737-800 workhorses found in all three fleets, Delta has a slightly lower seating density, while United has the densest density on its A321neo and American with its 737-800s.
Sometimes, economy class seats may be a more modern and comfortable design than others. However, this varies by aircraft, with all three airlines having the same economy class Collins Aerospace Meridian slimline seats fitted into their Airbus A321neos. Economy class seats in modern Boeing 787s are more comfortable than comparable seats in the older Boeing 767. Both United and American operate large fleets of Dreamliners.
While Delta doesn’t have the Dreamliner in service, it does have the Airbus A350. Both of these aircraft are comfortable and modern, although the Dreamliner is acclaimed for its large and automatically dimming windows. Overall, the economy class experience is comparable with all three legacy carriers, although many passengers will have their own personal preference based on experience and prefer one carrier over the other for various reasons.
