Air Canada vs United: Airline Comparison Guide

Air Canada and United Airlines are two giants of North American aviation, so when you're choosing between them, there’s a lot to consider. Both airlines offer large networks, loyalty perks, and a mix of budget and premium cabins.

But depending on where you're flying, how much you're willing to spend, and what kind of experience you’re after, one may suit you better than the other.

Air Canada vs United Airlines: Airline Comparison Guide

This guide goes through the key differences between Air Canada and United, from seat comfort and baggage rules to onboard experience, loyalty programs and long-haul cabins. Whether you’re booking a quick domestic trip or going overseas in business class, we’ll help you pick the right airline for your needs.

✨ Quick answer: is Air Canada or United better?

Both are solid choices, but here’s the breakdown of our thoughts:

• Pick Air Canada for better service standards, a slightly smoother cabin experience, and stronger connectivity across Canada and Europe.
• Go with United if you value Star Alliance perks, fly frequently in the US, or want more options for long-haul flights to Asia and Latin America.

Your best option ultimately depends on your route, what you want out of your loyalty programs, and how much comfort you want onboard.

At a glance

📍 Airline size and network

• Air Canada: Flies to over 180 destinations in 60+ countries, with a strong domestic network across Canada and extensive reach into Europe, Asia, and the US.
• United Airlines: Routes to more than 300 destinations worldwide, and one of the largest global networks of any airline, with excellent reach into Asia, South America, Europe. It's also a standout for domestic flights in the US.

🌐 Alliances

• Both airlines are members of Star Alliance, which means you can earn and redeem points with dozens of partner carriers including Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and ANA.

🛫 Major hubs

• Air Canada: Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, Vancouver.
• United: Chicago O’Hare, Newark, Denver, Houston, San Francisco.

Basic economy breakdown

Basic fares aren’t known for their comfort or baggage allowance, but how restrictive these features feel to you will depend on the airline.

🎒 Carry-on rules

Air Canada:

• No carry-on bag included on flights within Canada, to/from the US, Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean (as of January 2025).
• You can only bring one personal item (like a laptop bag or small backpack).
• If you're connecting to an international destination, you’ll still get one carry-on plus a personal item.

United:

• Carry-on not allowed on domestic US flights in Basic Economy - just one personal item.
• Carry-on is allowed if you're flying internationally or have elite status or a United credit card.
• Otherwise, you’ll pay $30–$50 USD each way to check a bag.

💺 Seat selection

• Air Canada: You can’t pick your seat in Basic Economy; one is assigned at check-in.
• United: Same story - seat assigned automatically, no changes until check-in.
  
  

✈️ Boarding group

Both airlines board Basic Economy passengers last, which can mean limited access to overhead bin space and a longer wait at the gate.

✨ Our take: United’s Basic Economy is more consistent: if you're flying internationally, you always get a carry-on. Air Canada's Basic Economy is more restrictive: most short-haul routes now allow only a personal item, and the carry-on is only included if you're connecting to a long-haul international flight.

Premium cabins

From extra legroom to lie-flat luxury, here’s how premium seating compares.

Economy upgrades

• Air Canada’s Preferred Seats: Extra legroom, closer to the front, and early boarding.
• United Economy Plus: Similar offering, with more space and early access to overhead bins.

Premium economy

• Air Canada Premium Economy: More generous recline, upgraded meals, and priority check-in. Available on long-haul international flights.
• United Premium Plus: Comparable features, but can vary depending on aircraft. Some older planes still feel economy-lite.

Business class

• Air Canada Signature Class: Lie-flat seats, premium dining, access to Maple Leaf Lounges, and all the trimmings.
• United Polaris: Lie-flat pods, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, elevated meals, and Polaris Lounge access on select international routes.

✨ Our take: Both Signature Class and Polaris deliver a high-end experience, but Air Canada leads on consistency, especially when flying internationally from Canada. Polaris is excellent when you get it, but it’s not available on every aircraft.

Seat comfort and cabin experience

Comfort counts, especially on longer flights.

📏 Legroom and Width

• Both offer 30–31 inches of pitch and 17–18 inches of seat width in standard economy. It’s tight but comparable.
  

🛋️ Cabin Design

• Air Canada: Modern interiors, clean design, and newer wide-body aircraft on many international routes.
• United: Some aircraft have been refurbished with mood lighting and better entertainment systems, but older planes still exist, especially on domestic routes.

✨ Our take: Air Canada’s cabins feel more refined overall, with better attention to detail and cleaner design language.

Loyalty programs: Aeroplan vs MileagePlus

Both airlines offer robust loyalty programs, but they’re built differently.

💰 Earning points

• Aeroplan: Earn based on distance flown and fare class. Points can also be earned via credit cards, hotels, car rentals and more.
• MileagePlus: Earn based on ticket price (before taxes), with elite bonuses.

🧳 Status tiers

• Aeroplan Elite Status: Prioritises mileage and flight segments, with tiered benefits from 25K up to Super Elite 100K.
• MileagePlus Premier Status: Uses Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Flights (PQFs), which reward both spending and frequency.

✈️ Partner Awards

• Both programs let you redeem with Star Alliance partners. Aeroplan is known for its flexible routing rules and generous stopover options (for a fee).

✨ Our take: Aeroplan shines when it comes to international redemption value and partner flexibility. MileagePlus wins on simplicity and easier elite qualification for frequent US travellers.

Credit cards and travel perks

Air Canada Aeroplan Cards (Canada & US)

• Priority boarding and free checked bags
• Points on daily spend
• Access to preferred pricing on reward flights

United Chase Cards (US only)

• Free checked bags
• Expanded award availability
• Lounge passes and travel protections

✨ We think: Aeroplan cards offer solid long-term value, especially for international travellers. United’s cards stand out for domestic perks and better award seat access.

Routes and reliability

🌍 Destinations

• Air Canada: Excellent for travel across Canada, into Europe (especially France and the UK), and across Asia from Vancouver.
• United: Covers more of the US and offers deeper reach into South America and Asia, particularly from its San Francisco and Houston hubs.

⏱️ On-time performance

• Air Canada: Decent overall, though weather and airport congestion at hubs like Toronto can impact timing.
• United: Hit or miss. Some hubs like Newark and Chicago are prone to delays, though United has improved in recent years.

✨ Our take: For transatlantic or intra-Canada routes, Air Canada leads. For US-heavy itineraries or flying deep into South America or Asia, United takes the edge.

Baggage, WiFi and lounges

🧳 Baggage

• Both airlines charge ~$35 for the first checked bag unless you have status, a co-branded card, or are flying in a premium cabin.

📡 WiFi

• Air Canada: Available on most mainline aircraft for a fee.
• United: WiFi available fleet-wide (paid), with streaming and messaging options on most routes.

🛋️ Lounges

• Air Canada: Maple Leaf Lounges across Canada and major international hubs.
• United: United Clubs plus Polaris Lounges for business class flyers.

✨ Our take: Air Canada’s lounges are well-regarded, though United’s Polaris Lounges offer a more premium experience when accessible.

Fees and extra charges

Ticket price is usually the first thing travellers check, but the real cost of flying often depends on the extras. Here’s how Air Canada and United compare once you’ve made your booking.

🚫 Change and cancellation fees

• Air Canada: Free changes and cancellations on Standard fares and above. Basic fares are more restrictive and usually only refundable as credit.
• United: No change fees on standard Economy and above for most US and international flights. Basic Economy tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable unless upgraded.

Other charges to know

Both airlines charge for:

• Seat selection (especially on Basic or lower Economy fares)
• Wi-Fi
• Alcoholic drinks in economy
• Preferred boarding (unless you qualify through status or credit cards)

Air Canada: May charge for same-day changes unless you're in a higher fare class or have elite status.

United: Charges for seat selection in Basic Economy can be high, and upgrades often come at a premium.

✨ Our thoughts: If you’re booking a lower fare, Air Canada may offer more transparency around what’s included. United can seem cheaper upfront, but the cost of extras - especially seat selection and carry-on rules - can quickly add up. Always check the fare type carefully.

Safety and support

From the moment you book to the time you land, how an airline supports you can make a huge difference - especially when things don’t go to plan. Here’s how Air Canada and United stack up.

Safety and trust 🔐

• Air Canada and United both meet stringent international safety standards and operate large, modern fleets.
• Air Canada has strong operational safety practices and a good track record, particularly in its long-haul international service.
• United has invested heavily in aircraft maintenance and training, though it’s faced some negative headlines in recent years - including service inconsistencies and rare but highly publicised incidents. Still, it remains a safe and reliable airline by international standards.

Customer support 📞

• Air Canada has improved customer support in recent years, but it can still be hit-or-miss - especially during disruptions. Premium Aeroplan members tend to get quicker responses, while standard customers sometimes face longer wait times.
• United has also made progress on the support front, especially through its app and digital tools. That said, some travellers report slow response times and less helpful support for non-elite flyers.

💡 Need help with your booking? Our Customer Service team is here 7 days a week to support you before, during, and after you fly - just reach out.

Overall experience

• Air Canada focuses on a polished, international-style service, especially on longer routes. From bilingual service to premium lounge access for eligible travellers, the experience is clean and consistent.
• United puts more emphasis on network efficiency and operational convenience. While Polaris business class stands out, the economy experience can be more variable depending on the route, aircraft, and crew.

✨ Our thoughts: Air Canada edges ahead on long-haul comfort and premium touches. United is a better fit for travellers focused on flight options, loyalty perks, and domestic or multi-stop itineraries. Both offer solid safety and support - but your experience may depend heavily on fare class and frequent flyer status.

Final thoughts: which should you choose?

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either but the right airline depends on where you’re headed and what you value most.

For domestic travel:

• United Airlines is a strong choice for flights within the United States thanks to its extensive domestic network.
• Air Canada is better suited for travel within Canada, with broad national coverage.

Cabin experience:

Air Canada generally offers a more consistent business class and better overall economy experience.

Frequent flyer perks:

Air Canada’s Aeroplan is known for being more flexible and rewarding than United’s MileagePlus program.

International reach:

United has one of the largest global networks, with excellent coverage in the US, Asia, and South America. Air Canada also has a strong international presence, especially into Europe and Asia.

Lounge access:

United Polaris lounges are considered some of the best in North America for eligible travellers.

Bottom line:

• Choose Air Canada for a smoother cabin experience and valuable loyalty perks.
• Choose United for broader international access and premium lounge offerings.

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