Delta Air Lines (DAL) vs United Airlines (UAL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Delta Air Lines (DAL) has outperformed United Airlines (UAL) over the past year, gaining 46.5% versus a gain of 14.0%. Over five years, UAL leads with a +129.5% price change compared with +102.4% for DAL. Delta Air Lines is the larger company by market cap ($53.85 billion vs $34.89 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while United Airlines is growing revenue faster (+3.5% vs +2.8%).
On valuation, United Airlines trades at a lower forward P/E (7.8x vs 10.4x for Delta Air Lines). Delta Air Lines pays a dividend yielding 0.95%, while United Airlines does not currently pay one. Delta Air Lines converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.9% versus 5.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | DAL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $81.89 | $107.51 |
| Market cap | $53.85B | $34.89B |
| 1-day change | -1.31% | -2.42% |
| YTD return | +19.55% | -1.48% |
| 1-year return | +46.51% | +13.99% |
| 5-year return | +102.42% | +129.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.58 | 10.07 |
| Forward P/E | 10.38 | 7.81 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.03 | $10.68 |
| Dividend yield | 0.95% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.778 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $63.36B | $59.07B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.79% | +3.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $5.00B | $3.35B |
| Operating margin | 9.19% | 7.98% |
| Net margin | 7.90% | 5.68% |
| 52-week high | $95.68 | $138.77 |
| 52-week low | $55.03 | $84.64 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.42% | -22.53% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.19% | +42.97% |
| Average volume | 6.24M | 3.84M |
| Shares outstanding | 657.62M | 324.58M |
| Employees | 103,000 | 117,500 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Air Freight/Delivery Services | Air Freight/Delivery Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- DAL has outperformed UAL by 32.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Delta Air Lines trades at a higher earnings multiple (13.6x vs 10.1x trailing P/E).
About Delta Air Lines
DAL stock →Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 103,000 employees
About United Airlines
UAL stock →United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in the United States, Canada, Atlantic, the Pacific, and Latin America. It transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 117,500 employees
DAL vs UAL FAQ
Which is bigger, Delta Air Lines or United Airlines?
Delta Air Lines (DAL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $53.85B compared with $34.89B for United Airlines (UAL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DAL or UAL?
DAL returned +46.51% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.99% for UAL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DAL or UAL?
UAL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.1, versus 13.6 for DAL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Delta Air Lines or United Airlines?
Delta Air Lines pays a dividend yielding 0.95%, while United Airlines does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Air Freight/Delivery Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.