Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines (DAL vs UAL)

Delta Air Lines (DAL) vs United Airlines (UAL) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL) compete in travel, leisure and gaming. Here are Delta Air Lines and United Airlines side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Delta Air Lines or United Airlines.

Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines: the figures

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Delta Air Lines or United Airlines figure is not available, and we never estimate it.

3 key differences between Delta Air Lines and United Airlines

1. Valuation: Delta Air Lines trades at 17.8x its annual earnings and United Airlines at 10.6x; the market pays more for each dollar of Delta Air Lines profit, usually because it expects more growth.
2. Dividend: Delta Air Lines pays a dividend yielding 1.03% and United Airlines pays none.
3. Growth: Delta Air Lines grew sales +21.1% year on year in its latest quarter, against +17.4% for United Airlines.

Delta Air Lines or United Airlines: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Delta Air Lines is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
• If you want income (dividends): Delta Air Lines pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
• If you prefer caution: Delta Air Lines has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
• If price is what matters most to you: United Airlines trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.

Neither Delta Air Lines nor United Airlines wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.

How Delta Air Lines and United Airlines make money

Delta Air Lines (DAL)

Delta Air Lines makes most of its money selling passenger tickets, with Atlanta as its main hub alongside other major U.S. airports. It also earns from SkyMiles, as American Express pays for miles issued on co-branded cards, plus cargo, maintenance work for other airlines and sales from its own oil refinery. Full Delta Air Lines analysis.

United Airlines (UAL)

United Airlines flies passengers from hubs including Chicago, Newark, Houston, Denver and San Francisco, with a broad international network reaching Europe, Asia and Latin America. Ticket sales are the main source of revenue, supplemented by cargo and MileagePlus, which sells miles to Chase for its co-branded credit cards. Full United Airlines analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines

Is Delta Air Lines or United Airlines the better stock?

Choosing between Delta Air Lines and United Airlines depends on what you are looking for. Delta Air Lines is growing faster right now, and United Airlines trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Delta Air Lines or United Airlines: it shows you the differences so you can decide.

Which pays a higher dividend, Delta Air Lines or United Airlines?

As of November 4, 2026, Delta Air Lines yields 1.03% and United Airlines pays none. Also check how much of their profit Delta Air Lines and United Airlines pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.

Which is more expensive, Delta Air Lines or United Airlines?

On P/E, Delta Air Lines (17.8x) is more expensive than United Airlines (10.6x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.

Can I own both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Delta Air Lines or United Airlines.

More comparisons with Delta Air Lines or United Airlines

• Carnival vs Delta Air Lines
• Delta Air Lines vs Royal Caribbean
• Delta Air Lines vs Meliá Hotels
• Carnival vs United Airlines

More companies like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines: travel, leisure and gaming stocks. Educational content about Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, not investment advice.