DAL vs UAL: Which Stock Is the Better Buy in 2026?

📊 Data as of October 9, 2026 · Refreshed weekly

A head-to-head, data-driven comparison of DAL (Delta Air Lines, Inc.) and UAL (United Airlines Holdings, Inc.) — covering valuation, growth, dividends, risk, and which one fits your portfolio. All metrics pulled from live market data.

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL)

Industrials · Airlines, Airports & Air Services · NYSE

Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Toky…

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL)

Industrials · Airlines, Airports & Air Services · NASDAQ

United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its various subsidiaries, delivers air travel solutions on a global scale. Its vast network extends across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America, facilitating the movement of both passengers and freight. The company operates these services using a combination of its primary and regional aircraft fleets. Beyond its core transportation offerings, United also provides specialized support to external clients, encompassing catering, ground handling, aviation training, and aircraft maintenance. Established in 1968…

Quick Verdict

Better for Growth

DAL

revenue 2.79% and EPS 43.23% YoY outpace the other name

Better for Value

Tie

neither has a standard trailing P/E to compare (common for ETFs/funds)

Better for Income

DAL

0.98% yield vs the other name's lower payout

Better for Safety

Tie

risk profiles look similar

Head-to-Head Metrics for DAL and UAL

Metric	DAL	UAL
Price	$86.67	$133.32
Market Cap	$57.00B	$43.27B
P/E Ratio (lower is cheaper)	N/A	N/A
EPS	$0.00	$0.00
Dividend Yield	0.98%	0.00%
Beta (volatility vs market)	1.29	1.29
ROE (higher is better)	0.00%	0.00%
Debt/Equity (lower is safer)	0.00	0.00
Revenue Growth (YoY)	2.79%	3.52%
EPS Growth (YoY)	43.23%	6.58%
52-Week High	$95.68	$138.77
52-Week Low	$50.45	$79.86
Sector	Industrials	Industrials

The Biggest Gaps Between DAL and UAL

Of the metrics we track, these are the widest gaps between DAL and UAL:

Dividend: DAL yields 0.98% while UAL pays little or nothing.
Size: DAL is about 1.3x UAL by market cap ($57.00B vs $43.27B).
Revenue growth: UAL grew sales 3.52% year over year while DAL managed 2.79%.

Which Is Growing Faster?

DAL grew revenue 2.79% and EPS 43.23% year-over-year. UAL grew revenue 3.52% and EPS 6.58%.

DAL wins — revenue 2.79% and EPS 43.23% YoY outpace the other name.

Which Looks Cheaper on Earnings?

DAL trades at a P/E of N/A, while UAL trades at N/A. ROE for DAL is 0.00% versus 0.00% for UAL.

Roughly tied — neither has a standard trailing P/E to compare (common for ETFs/funds).

Which Offers the Better Dividend?

DAL yields 0.98%; UAL yields 0.00%.

DAL wins — 0.98% yield vs the other name's lower payout.

Which Carries Less Risk?

DAL has a beta of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00. UAL sits at beta 1.29 and D/E 0.00.

Roughly tied — risk profiles look similar.

Where Each Stock Trades Within Its Yearly Range

Price action over the last 12 months gives important context. A stock near its 52-week high has momentum on its side but limited room before profit-taking; one near its low may be a value opportunity or a structural problem.

DAL currently trades at $86.67, near the upper end of its 52-week range — momentum is strong but the easy gains may be behind it (52-week range: $50.45–$95.68).
UAL currently trades at $133.32, near the upper end of its 52-week range — momentum is strong but the easy gains may be behind it (52-week range: $79.86–$138.77).

Risks Worth Weighing

Every stock has tail risks that the headline numbers don't capture. Here's what stands out from the available metrics:

DAL: no obvious red flags in the headline metrics, but always read the most recent 10-K and earnings call before sizing a position.
UAL: no obvious red flags in the headline metrics, but always read the most recent 10-K and earnings call before sizing a position.

This is a quick heuristic risk scan, not a full risk assessment. Always read the "Risk Factors" section of each company's most recent 10-K filing before investing.

Best Pick by Investor Goal

Long-term holder (10+ years): Lean toward either name works; durability and balance-sheet strength matter more than the next-quarter print.
Income / dividend-focused: DAL — higher yield, but always check payout sustainability before chasing.
Aggressive growth: DAL — faster top-line and EPS expansion at the cost of richer multiples.
Value-oriented: either name works — paying less per dollar of earnings, with the trade-off of slower growth.

The Short Answer on DAL vs UAL

DAL comes out ahead on 2 of the 4 dimensions we score, which makes it the slightly stronger all-round pick on today's numbers. The clearest dividing line between them is dividend, so start there when deciding.

Compare DAL vs UAL live →

Questions Investors Ask About DAL and UAL

DAL or UAL: which one should you buy in 2026?

It depends on your investment goal. For growth investors, DAL has the edge — DAL grew revenue 2.79% versus 3.52% for UAL. For value investors, Both DAL and UAL are roughly comparable on this dimension looks more attractive on earnings multiples (P/E N/A vs N/A). For income, DAL pays a higher yield (0.98% vs 0.00%). For safety, Both DAL and UAL are roughly comparable on this dimension has the more defensive profile (beta 1.29 vs 1.29).

How do DAL and UAL compare on P/E ratio?

Neither DAL nor UAL has a standard trailing P/E ratio available -- this is common for ETFs and index funds, which don't report a single company-style earnings multiple the way individual stocks do. Look at expense ratio, tracking performance, and holdings overlap instead when comparing funds like these.

Which pays the bigger dividend, DAL or UAL?

DAL currently yields 0.98% and UAL yields 0.00%. DAL pays the higher current yield. Always verify payout ratio and dividend history before treating yield as guaranteed income — a high yield can also be a warning sign of a falling share price.

Is DAL or UAL the more volatile stock?

DAL has a beta of 1.29 and UAL has a beta of 1.29. A beta above 1.0 means the stock historically moves more than the broader market; below 1.0 means it moves less. UAL has been the more volatile name based on historical price action.

How large are DAL and UAL by market cap?

DAL has a market capitalization of $57.00B and UAL is at $43.27B. Market cap is share price multiplied by shares outstanding and reflects the total equity value the market assigns to the company.

Is DAL or UAL the better long-term hold?

For a long-term holder (10+ years), the safer-quality name usually wins because compounding requires durability. Both DAL and UAL are roughly comparable on this dimension screens better on safety metrics here: lower beta, more conservative debt levels, and stronger return on equity. That said, DAL is growing faster, so a long-term investor may want both — or split allocation 60/40 toward the safer name.

Is DAL or UAL growing faster?

DAL is the faster grower right now. DAL grew revenue 2.79% year-over-year and EPS 43.23%; UAL grew revenue 3.52% and EPS 6.58%. UAL's slower growth often comes with a lower valuation — it's the classic growth-vs-value trade-off.

Are DAL and UAL in the same sector?

DAL (Delta Air Lines, Inc.) operates in the Industrials sector, specifically the Airlines, Airports & Air Services industry. UAL (United Airlines Holdings, Inc.) is in the Industrials sector, specifically the Airlines, Airports & Air Services industry. Because both are in the same sector, this is a true head-to-head comparison.

What's the best way to choose between DAL and UAL?

Start with your goal. (1) If you need income, weight the higher-yield name. (2) If you want growth, weight the faster top-line and EPS grower. (3) If you want capital preservation, weight the lower-beta, lower-debt, higher-ROE name. (4) If you're unsure, the most common professional approach is to own both in a sector basket so you don't have to predict the winner — and rebalance annually.

Keep Researching

Disclaimer: This comparison is generated from live market data for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for the analysis of a licensed financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the most recent 10-K and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions. StockSignal24 is not responsible for losses incurred from trading decisions made based on this content.