UPS Airlines vs Delta Air Lines
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at UPS Airlines (5X) and Delta Air Lines (DL) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Airline selection starts with an aptitude battery
It screens you before a human reads your application. Sit a timed practice paper free — scored on pace, which is what actually culls candidates.
Which one fits you
Read from the numbers above rather than from opinion. Where the published data does not settle a question, it is left open instead of guessed.
UPS Airlines starts higher, Delta Air Lines tops out higher
UPS Airlines reaches $220,000 as an FO, while Delta Air Lines reaches $420,000 in the left seat. If you expect to stay for a career, the captain band matters more than the entry number.
Whichever you pick, the gate is the same shape
Both run an aptitude battery before a human reads your CV, then a competency interview scored against the ICAO pilot competencies. We have a full pack for Delta Air Lines, and not for the other one yet.
Knowing what UPS Airlines pays is the easy part. Getting through their selection is the part that decides whether you ever earn it.
Before a human reads your application there is an aptitude battery, and candidates consistently report it as the heaviest cull — pace, not difficulty. You can practise it here for free: timed papers generated fresh each run, plus a divided-attention drill that measures how much your performance degrades under load.
Already past the paperwork and preparing for the panel? , scored against the answers a panel is listening for. Seven days of access, no subscription.
No UPS Airlines pack yet — want it built?
We will not pretend to have one. We build the next pack for the airline that gets asked for most, so leaving your address here is a vote. No sequence, one email when it ships.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Requirements Comparison
UPS Airlines
- ATP certificate
- Turbine PIC experience
- FAA Class 1 medical
- Clean record
Delta Air Lines
- ATP certificate
- 1,500+ hours total time
- FAA Class 1 medical
- 4-year degree preferred
- Strong leadership and CRM skills
Pros & Cons
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
Delta Air Lines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Large domestic route network
About Each Airline
UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines offers top-tier pilot compensation with cargo operations. Night flying schedule allows for daytime flexibility.
Full UPS Airlines career guide →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 →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at UPS Airlines or Delta Air Lines based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
Salary Calculator