I booked basic economy flights with Delta and United. They felt like 2 completely different classes.

I took two basic economy flights with United Airlines and Delta. The latter was ultimately cheaper, more comfortable, and had more amenities.

Mar 26, 2025 - 16:40

I booked basic economy flights with Delta and United. They felt like 2 completely different classes.

A plane parked at a tarmac before boarding with mountains in the background — Business Insider's reporter flew in basic economy with United and Delta.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent $205 on a basic economy flight with United Airlines from NYC to Denver.
A few days later, I took a $175 basic economy flight with Delta from Salt Lake City to NYC.
Both flights were four and a half hours long, but they felt like different classes.

As a traveler on a budget, I typically fly in basic economy. The no-frills class helps me stretch my money as far as possible, allowing me to spend more on accommodations and experiences in my destination.

However, booking the lowest tier of airfare on various airlines has taught me that basic economy experiences vary depending on who you fly with.

I recently booked basic economy domestic flights with United and Delta for similar prices.

Each ride was about four and a half hours long, but the two bookings felt like completely different classes to me.

First, I took a United Airlines flight from New York City to Denver.

People walk through a brightly lit airline terminal — Inside NYC's LaGuardia Airport.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I flew from NYC's LaGuardia Airport to Denver International Airport with United Airlines. My $165 basic economy ticket did not include carry-on luggage or a seat selection. I paid an additional $40 to check my bag, so, in total, I paid $205 for this flight.

I arrived at the airport about an hour before 10 a.m. takeoff and got my seat assignment when I checked in.

I boarded the Boeing 737-800 and headed to my seat toward the back of the plane.

People in line to be seating inside an aircraft — Passengers board the United flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The flight had 166 seats and in-seat power for rows one through 21, but I couldn't access an outlet since I was seated closer toward the back.

While my flight back was on Delta's Airbus A321neo, the airline says its Boeing 737-800 fleet has 160 seats, all with power outlets.

I squeezed into a middle seat.

A composite image of three empty plane seats and the author's leg room while sitting in one — The reporter's seat on the United flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My seat was between 16 and 17 inches wide with a 30-inch seat pitch. With passengers on either side of me, I felt cramped in the small space, and even at 5-foot-3, there wasn't enough leg room for comfort.

The seats on Delta's Boeing 737-800 are slightly larger, with an inch wider seat pitch.

United Airlines told Business Insider that a new aircraft with upgraded interiors and more overhead bin space is coming soon as part of the United Next initiative.

The entertainment system left much to be desired.

A composite image of an flight seat back screen and a remote — The seat-back entertainment system on the United flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There was a seat-back entertainment screen in front of me with access to DirectTV. I could have used my phone to access a library of shows and movies with the United app, but I didn't want to watch on a small screen.

I sampled the cable offerings, but there wasn't much to watch. The remote on my armrest was sticky, and I found it tough to push the buttons — especially when the passenger next to me was resting their arm on it.

United told BI that the upgraded United Next interiors will have touchscreen entertainment systems, Bluetooth connectivity, and power outlets at every seat.

Delta began refreshing its Boeing 737-800 fleet in January with more seatback entertainment options, and some are already in service.

The bathroom on my United flight was clean.

A faucet inside a plane bathroom — Inside the bathroom on the United flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It had a modern faucet, too.

A few days later, I flew from Salt Lake City to NYC with Delta.

A flight parked on a tarmac with mountains in the background — A Delta flight parked at the airport in Salt Lake City.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked my basic economy flight from Salt Lake City to NYC with Delta. The $175 ticket included one carry-on bag but no seat assignment.

I switched flights minutes before boarding.

A few people wait to board a flight at a terminal — The reporter waits to board her Delta flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I arrived at Salt Lake City International Airport about an hour before my 5:35 p.m. flight to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. When I checked in, I learned I'd get my seat assignment at the gate.

Once past security, I stood in line at the gate for my seat assignment. I overheard the attendant on the phone saying the flight was overbooked and another flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) was leaving 10 minutes later with plenty of empty seats.

JFK is much closer to my NYC apartment than Newark, so I told the attendant I'd be happy to switch flights. She thanked me and gave me a new boarding pass for the 5:45 p.m. flight.

I boarded the Airbus A321neo and made my way to the otherwise empty row.

A wide view of an airplane cabin at night — Inside the Delta aircraft.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The plane, which could seat 194 passengers, had many empty seats, and I was lucky enough to land a row to myself.

I immediately noticed the seats were more comfortable than on the United flight.

A blue flight seat by the window — The author's seat on the Delta flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The seats were one inch wider and felt cushier than the ones on United. I was also surprised that a one-inch wider seat pitch made a huge difference in legroom.

United's Airbus A321neo has a couple more rows of seats than Delta's, and the seats are a bit smaller and have one less inch of legroom.

I relaxed in my seat and enjoyed the touchscreen entertainment system.

A composite image of an in-flight entertainment screen and legroom on the flight — The reporter's views from her seat on the Delta flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The entertainment screen in front of me showed hundreds of movies and TV shows, from Blockbuster hits to independent films. I also had access to a power outlet to charge my phone.

Like on the United flight, the bathroom was clean.

A composite image of a toilet and sink in a train bathroom — Inside the bathroom on the Delta flight.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The fixtures looked slightly less modern than those on the United flight.

Delta's basic economy ultimately felt a class above United's for a lower price point.

A wide view of the flight as the author boards — The reporter preferred the Delta flight.
Joey Hadden/Insider

From the included carry-on bag to the more comfortable seats with additional entertainment and amenities, Delta's basic economy felt much more comfortable for $30 less.

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