A $428 American seat vs $305 Delta vs a $254 United berth: Travel experts put the three main U.S legacy carriers head to head in an economy class battle from New York JFK to Los Angeles

Delta Air Lines Experience

The Points Guy sent Editor at Large Nicky Kelvin to test Delta Air Lines on the prestigious New York JFK to Los Angeles route.

Nicky flew in a state-of-the-art Airbus A330-900neo for $305.

His first impressions were positive, with easy check-in, a comfortable and supportive seat, ample legroom, and a large inflight entertainment screen.

Delta impressed with multiple charging ports, a soft and warm blanket, and complimentary beverages.

Nicky opted for a snack box for $12, providing a satisfying small meal.

Overall, he was very impressed with Delta’s economy offering, praising the free drink and snack options, as well as the quality of purchasable onboard meals.

United Airlines Experience

Mark Ramos, tasked with testing United Airlines, paid $254 for a Boeing 777 ticket to Los Angeles.

While he appreciated the time saved through the United app check-in, his experience was mixed.

Boarding a full flight, he found himself in a tight squeeze with limited legroom, the seat lacked additional space for comfort.

Entertainment was basic, with just a tablet/phone holder and two charger ports.

Mark received a blanket but noted the absence of a pillow.

The inflight nourishment included a free coffee and Biscoff biscuit, with additional purchasable food items.

Mark’s call bell went unanswered, and he described the overall accommodation as very basic.

American Airlines Experience

Senior marketing manager Liam Spencer tested American Airlines, flying economy in an Airbus A321T for $428.

Check-in was efficient, and the cabin seats felt like a significant upgrade from low-cost carriers.

The seat was spacious and comfortable, offering ample legroom, a charging port, and a small inflight entertainment screen.

The flight included a free food service 40 minutes in, but Liam found the food sadly disappointing and dry.

While he didn’t receive a pillow or blanket, he did get headphones for inflight entertainment.

Despite the dining experience, Liam concluded that it was a very good flight overall.

In summary, each of the big three U.S. legacy carriers had its strengths and weaknesses, providing unique experiences for passengers flying economy on the New York JFK to Los Angeles route.

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