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American Airlines vs United Airlines
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at American Airlines (AA) and United Airlines (UA) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
American Airlines
United Airlines
Country
United States
United States
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
AA
UA
Regulatory Authority
FAA
FAA
First Officer Salary
$90,000 - $200,000
$90,000 - $200,000
Captain Salary
$250,000 - $400,000+
$250,000 - $400,000+
Fleet
Boeing 737, 777, 787, Airbus A319/320/321
Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, 787, Airbus A319/320/321
Requirements Comparison
American Airlines
- ATP certificate
- 1,500+ hours total time
- FAA Class 1 medical
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone permit
- US work authorization
- 4-year degree preferred
United Airlines
- ATP certificate
- 1,500+ hours total time
- FAA Class 1 medical
- 1,000+ hours PIC preferred
- 4-year degree preferred
Pros & Cons
American Airlines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Large domestic route network
United Airlines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Diverse fleet with many type rating opportunities
- +Large domestic route network
Cons
- –Longer wait for specific type ratings due to fleet size
About Each Airline
American Airlines
The world's largest airline by fleet size, American Airlines is based in Fort Worth, Texas and operates an extensive domestic and international network.
Full American Airlines career guide →United Airlines
United Airlines operates a massive global network from its hubs in Newark, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington.
Full United Airlines career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at American Airlines or United Airlines based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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