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Delta Air Lines vs UPS Airlines
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Delta Air Lines (DL) and UPS Airlines (5X) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Delta Air Lines
UPS Airlines
Country
United States
United States
Airline Type
Major Airline
Cargo Airline
IATA Code
DL
5X
Regulatory Authority
FAA
FAA
First Officer Salary
$95,000 - $210,000
$100,000 - $220,000
Captain Salary
$260,000 - $420,000+
$280,000 - $400,000+
Fleet
Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, Airbus A220/320/321/330/350
Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777, MD-11, Airbus A300
Requirements Comparison
Delta Air Lines
- ATP certificate
- 1,500+ hours total time
- FAA Class 1 medical
- 4-year degree preferred
- Strong leadership and CRM skills
UPS Airlines
- ATP certificate
- Turbine PIC experience
- FAA Class 1 medical
- Clean record
Pros & Cons
Delta Air Lines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Large domestic route network
UPS Airlines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Daytime flexibility with cargo schedule
- +Diverse fleet with many type rating opportunities
- +Large domestic route network
Cons
- –Primarily night flying operations
- –Longer wait for specific type ratings due to fleet size
About Each Airline
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is consistently ranked as a top employer among US airlines, known for its strong company culture and competitive compensation.
Full Delta Air Lines career guide →UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines offers top-tier pilot compensation with cargo operations. Night flying schedule allows for daytime flexibility.
Full UPS Airlines career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Delta Air Lines or UPS Airlines based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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