American Airlines is a major US-based airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and is the seventh largest airline in the world when measured by scheduled passengers carried and revenue passenger mile. In this article, we discuss the top American Airlines Competitors and Alternatives.
American Airlines is one of the largest and most well-known airlines in the United States. With its fleet size and its extensive network of destinations both domestically and internationally, it has firmly established itself as a leader in the industry. The airline is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and operates out of its primary hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Known for its commitment to providing a high level of service, American Airlines offers a range of amenities and options to suit travelers’ needs. Passengers can choose from various cabin classes, including First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, each offering a different level of comfort and amenities. Additionally, the airline provides an array of in-flight entertainment options, such as movies, TV shows, and music, to ensure a pleasant journey for its passengers.
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: April 15, 1926
- Founders: C.R. Smith, Cyrus Rowlett Smith
- Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Robert D. Isom Jr.
Table of Contents
The top American Airlines competitors are
1. Delta Air Lines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1924
- Founders: Collett E. Woolman, C. H. McHenery, Travis Oliver, and Malcolm S. Biedenharn
- Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Edward H. Bastian
Delta Air Lines is one of the major airlines in the United States. Owned by Delta Air Lines, Inc., it operates over 5,400 flights daily and serves 325 destinations in 52 countries. Known for its premium services and operational efficiency, Delta is frequently touted for its on-time performance. It also offers various travel classes, including business and economy, to accommodate different passenger needs.
2. United Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1926
- Founders: Walter Varney and Louis Mueller
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Scott Kirby
United Airlines is an American international airline serving travelers with approximately 4,900 daily flights to 362 destinations worldwide. As a partner and founding Star Alliance member, it offers its passengers extensive reach by connecting different global networks. United Airlines is also renowned for its loyalty reward program, MileagePlus.
3. Southwest Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1967
- Founders: Herb Kelleher and Rollin King
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, United States
- Area Served: United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
- Current CEO: Gary C. Kelly
Southwest Airlines is a popular low-cost carrier in the United States, known for its simple, efficient, and customer-friendly service. They offer primarily point-to-point flights within the country and some international destinations, with no assigned seating and affordable prices. Known for its unique boarding process and free checked bags policy, Southwest appeals to budget-conscious travelers looking for a hassle-free flying experience.
4. JetBlue Airways
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1998
- Founders: David Neeleman
- Headquarters: Long Island City, New York, United States
- Area Served: United States, Caribbean, Central America, and South America
- Current CEO: Robin Hayes
JetBlue Airways is a low-cost airline based in the United States, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights to nearby destinations. Their focus is on providing a high-quality experience at an affordable price, with features like free in-flight entertainment and larger legroom compared to other low-cost carriers. With a strong presence on the East Coast, JetBlue is a popular choice for travelers in that region.
5. Alaska Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1932
- Founders: Linious “Mac” McGee
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States
- Area Served: United States, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica
- Current CEO: Ben Minicucci
Alaska Airlines is a major American airline, mainly serving the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii, but also offering flights to select destinations across the country and internationally. Known for their strong customer service and excellent on-time performance, Alaska Airlines has a loyal customer base and offers a regional feel with a large route network. They also have a partnership with various other airlines, making it easier for frequent flyers to reach even more destinations.
6. Spirit Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1983
- Founders: Ned Homfeld
- Headquarters: Miramar, Florida, United States
- Area Served: United States, Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America
- Current CEO: Edward M. Christie III
Spirit Airlines is a low-cost carrier in the United States, providing no-frills flights to various domestic and international destinations. Their focus is on offering the lowest possible fares while maintaining punctual service. With their ultra-low-cost model, travelers pay for only the essentials, such as a seat and personal items, leaving them the option to purchase additional services as needed. Spirit’s low-cost flights appeal to the cost-conscious traveler looking for a basic travel experience.
7. Frontier Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1994
- Founders: Bill Franke
- Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States
- Area Served: United States, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic
- Current CEO: Barry L. Biffle
Frontier Airlines is another low-cost carrier based in the United States, offering an extensive network of flights to both domestic and international destinations. With a focus on affordable pricing, Frontier provides travelers with basic flight services and the option to purchase additional features as needed. Their modern fleet and friendly staff help create a comfortable experience for travelers looking to save on airfare.
8. Allegiant Air
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1997
- Founders: Maurice J. Gallagher Jr.
- Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
- Area Served: United States
- Current CEO: Maurice J. Gallagher Jr.
Allegiant Air is a smaller low-cost airline in the United States, offering primarily point-to-point flights from smaller airports to larger leisure destinations. They focus on convenience and affordability, providing easy access to popular vacation spots without the high costs associated with larger carriers. With a smaller route network and a focus on leisure travel, Allegiant appeals to travelers looking for a no-frills, cost-effective option.
9. Hawaiian Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1929
- Founders: Stanley C. Kennedy and Stanley H. McDonald
- Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- Area Served: Hawaii, United States, Asia, and the South Pacific
- Current CEO: Peter R. Ingram
Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline in Hawaii, providing flights to and from the mainland United States as well as other international destinations. They are known for their friendly service and onboard amenities that showcase Hawaiian culture. With strong connections to the Hawaiian Islands and select West Coast cities, Hawaiian Airlines is the go-to choice for travelers headed to Hawaii and those looking for convenient connections to nearby destinations.
10. Air Canada
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1937
- Founders: Canadian National Railway
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Michael Rousseau
Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada and offers a wide range of domestic and international flights. They have a strong focus on customer service, comfort, and safety, making them a popular choice for travelers. With a significant route network within Canada and around the world, Air Canada is a reliable and convenient option for travelers seeking to visit various destinations, both within Canada and abroad.
11. WestJet
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1996
- Founders: Clive Beddoe, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, and Donald Bell
- Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Area Served: Canada, United States, Mexico, Caribbean, and Europe
- Current CEO: Ed Sims
WestJet is a popular Canadian low-cost airline, designed to serve those who seek affordable travel options. With its primary focus on guest experience, WestJet offers scheduled and charter air service to over 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. WestJet is known for efficient service delivery coupled with friendly staffers and employees, helping to provide a satisfactory customer experience.
12. British Airways
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1974
- Founders: British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA)
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Sean Doyle
British Airways is a prominent flagship air service provider in the United Kingdom. This airline’s business strategy aims to deliver top-tier services to passengers worldwide. With countless flight routes covering global destinations, British Airways excels in providing a myriad of travel options, including class services from economy to first class. It pioneers in creating pleasant flight experiences with onboard services such as meals, entertainment, and comfort amenities.
13. Lufthansa
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1953
- Founders: Deutsche Lufthansa AG
- Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Carsten Spohr
Lufthansa is a leading airline with origins in Germany. It is a comprehensive carrier providing flight services to hundreds of locations globally. The Lufthansa Airlines group prides itself on being a company that extends beyond air travel. With mindfully created onboard services like delicious meals, entertainment programs, and comfortable seating, the Lufthansa group always strives to give passengers a noteworthy flight experience.
14. Emirates
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1985
- Founders: Dubai Royal Family
- Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Emirates is an established international airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It’s known for its luxurious services and wide-ranged global network. As a significant global air carrier, Emirates ensures high-class onboard services, from in-flight entertainment to reclining seats and globally inspired meals. Its dedication to customer satisfaction has made it a favorite among travelers.
15. Singapore Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1947
- Founders: Malayan Airways Limited
- Headquarters: Singapore
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Goh Choon Phong
Singapore Airlines is a reputed Southeast Asian airline headquartered in Singapore. It’s renowned globally for its impressive service quality and excellent in-flight experiences. With a strong network linking numerous cities worldwide, Singapore Airlines exhibits an unswerving commitment to passenger comfort. Its distinctive offering includes capacious seating, appetizing food, and globally recognized in-flight entertainment.
16. Qatar Airways
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1993
- Founders: Qatar Government
- Headquarters: Doha, Qatar
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Akbar Al Baker
Qatar Airways is one of the world’s rapidly growing airlines based in Qatar. It is highly regarded for its first-rate services, including award-winning cabin crew and comfort-enhancing in-flight features. The airline operates a hub-and-spoke network, connecting major international destinations. Qatar Airways is often selected for its young fleet and attentiveness towards passenger needs.
17. Air France
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1933
- Founders: French Government
- Headquarters: Roissy-en-France, France
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Anne Rigail
Air France is a premium French airline offering a wide range of international flight services. It provides travelers with various cabin class options and a strong commitment to service quality. Air France is known for its elegance and efficiency, emphasizing passenger comfort with delectable in-flight meals and superior entertainment systems.
18. KLM
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1919
- Founders: Albert Plesman
- Headquarters: Amstelveen, Netherlands
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Pieter Elbers
KLM is the Netherlands’ flagship carrier with broad worldwide coverage. It is recognized for its reliability and dutiful service. KLM stands out with a rich heritage of serving passengers across the world while delivering a high standard of service. Their passenger-friendly features include spacious seating arrangements, extensive entertainment options, and impressive catering service.
19. Virgin Atlantic
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Air transportation
- Founded Date: 1984
- Founders: Richard Branson
- Headquarters: Crawley, United Kingdom
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Shai Weiss
Virgin Atlantic is a British airline company acknowledged for its contemporary business approach to air travel. They concentrate on providing quality service paired with an enjoyable flying experience. Virgin Atlantic has a robust global network, providing flights to various destinations across the world with an emphasis on innovation, fun, and fantastic customer service.
20. Etihad Airways
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: July 2003
- Founders: Royal Decree of Abu Dhabi
- Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Tony Douglas
Etihad Airways is the second-largest airline in the United Arab Emirates known for luxurious in-flight and ground services. Despite being relatively new to the industry, Etihad has managed to build a significant reputation for offering utmost comfort and excellent customer service. This airline is characterized by its posh cabin classes, state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, and a wide selection of meals.
21. Turkish Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: May 20, 1933
- Founders: Turkish government
- Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Bilal Ek?i
Turkish Airlines is a significant international airline located in Turkey. It ranks among the leading airlines with the most diverse destination networks in the world, reaching numerous global city centers from its hub in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines has a strong reputation for excellence, offering planes with the latest technology and comfort features. The airline continues to aim for the best in-flight services, including an array of delicious meal choices and a variety of entertainment options.
22. Cathay Pacific
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: September 24, 1946
- Founders: Roy Farrell, Sydney de Kantzow
- Headquarters: Hong Kong
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Augustus Tang
Cathay Pacific is an internationally recognized airline originating from Hong Kong. Their flight services span multiple continents, offering passengers a range of flight routes worldwide. Known for its commitment to service quality and excellent operational efficiency, Cathay Pacific provides a delightful flying experience with spacious seating, varied meal options, and commendable entertainment choices on board.
23. Japan Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: August 1, 1951
- Founders: Japanese government
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Yuji Akasaka
Japan Airlines is Japan’s flagship carrier with a global network covering Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Widely respected for their hospitality, they have a strong focus on ensuring passenger comfort and satisfaction. Japan Airlines is popular for its range of seat classes, flavourful cuisines, premium seats, and a range of entertainment options, all aimed at providing an enjoyable flight experience.
24. Qantas Airways
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: November 16, 1920
- Founders: Hudson Fysh, Paul McGinness, Fergus McMaster
- Headquarters: Mascot, New South Wales, Australia
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Alan Joyce
Qantas Airways is a top-level airline from Australia. This airline company is recognized for its long-standing history and its broad range of services, including domestic and international travel. Qantas aims to provide a comfortable and pleasurable flight experience, with amenities like ergonomic seating, a diverse menu, and a modern entertainment system.
25. Air China
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: July 1, 1988
- Founders: Chinese government
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Cai Jianjiang
Air China is a state-owned airline and a major air service provider within China. As one of the country’s most prolific airlines, Air China offers numerous domestic and international flight destinations. Air China ensures a seamless travel experience with a fantastic blend of comfort, economy, and excellent customer service. In-flight features include cozy seats, appetizing meals, and a variety of entertainment content.
26. China Southern Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: July 1, 1988
- Founders: Chinese government
- Headquarters: Guangzhou, China
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Han Wensheng
China Southern Airlines is one of China’s most extensive air transportation service providers. It offers immense flight frequency, serving a wide range of domestic and international destinations. This Chinese airline is favored globally for its commitment to safety, generous hospitality towards employees and passengers, and uncomplicated and comfortable flight experience.
27. SkyWest Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: 1972
- Founders: Ralph Atkin
- Headquarters: St. George, Utah, United States
- Area Served: United States, Canada, Mexico
- Current CEO: Chip Childs
SkyWest Airlines is a North American regional airline serving a high frequency of daily flights. Primarily operating for and in partnership with other major airlines, SkyWest ensures efficient and reliable air travel across North America. With a reputation for operational excellence, SkyWest delivers high-quality customer service and a satisfying in-flight experience, including comfortable seating arrangements and prompt service.
These were all American Airlines’ main competitors. If you know any other competitors, please do write in the comments below.
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