https://thepointsguy.com/airline/best-us-airlines-2025/

https://news.delta.com/delta-wins-best-airline-staff-service-north-america-2025-skytrax-awards#:~:text=Delta%20has%20been%20awarded%20Best ,millions%20of%20customers%20every%20day

https://news.delta.com/delta-recognized-best-global-airline-americas-apex

Alongside J.D. Power, USA Today, Fortune, WSJ, Cirium.. to name a few more - the metrics are objective and points towards Delta being the best among its piers in 2025.

United is not returning to JFK in any meaningful way ever without divesting a large portion of their NYC market. A few daily domestic flights in the countries #1 global airport is not impactful. What SK really wants majority share of JFK.

New routes, especially at United, come and go often as their network team is risky and more reliant on economic trends. Then again, only SFO pilots really get to enjoy those exotic routes - so unless you are going to live in SFO or commute to the west coast forever; then great.

UA has USD11B more long-term debt than DL, numerous years of less profits vs DL, no fortress hubs to dictate markets (which is the superior network strategy), worse on-time metrics, more canceled flights, more unionized labor, and worse PR with the average American.

PWA-wise: an objectively worse contract. Global reserve alone is criminal & a monumental screw up by ALPA that should be long gone. Can’t book the jump-seat to commute. All the premium goes senior so junior guys get little-to-none of it for years. No payback days. Less lucrative forms of soft pay on trips. All despite Delta leading the last two contract cycles.

Industry organizations that rate airline success & performance side with Delta. “Spiraling to #2” is so unhinged from the truth it’s laughable. It’s never been a better time to be at Delta in its history.