domestic · 2h 00m · 981 km
Atlanta to Chicago
3 airlines · 3 aircraft ranked
In economy, United's Economy (737-900ER) edges out the field with a 4.2/10.In first class, Delta's Delta First Class (737-800) edges out the field with a 2.8/10.
Quick pick
Fly United. It scores higher across seat comfort and amenities.
If prices are similar, go with this one.
Fly Delta. It has a wider seat (21" vs 20").
If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.
Select two airlines to compare head-to-head
Data verified June 2026
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Airlines on this route
Flying with family
- Seatback screens on Delta, United. American: bring your own device.
Route insights
- In economy, United's Economy (737-900ER) edges out the field with a 4.2/10.
- In first class, Delta's Delta First Class (737-800) edges out the field with a 2.8/10.
Frequently asked
Which is better in first: Delta or American on ATL-ORD?
Delta First Class (Delta Air Lines, 737-800) and First Class (American Airlines, A321neo) score virtually the same in first: 2.8 vs 2.5/10. The biggest gap is entertainment — a 13.3" screen vs app_only — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
Which is better in economy: Delta or American on ATL-ORD?
Main Cabin (Delta Air Lines, 737-800) edges out Main Cabin (American Airlines, A321neo) in economy, scoring 4.1/10 vs 3.7. The deciding factor: a 10" screen vs app_only. American Airlines fights back on seat width and power.
Which is better in first: Delta or United on ATL-ORD?
Delta First Class (Delta Air Lines, 737-800) and United First (United Airlines, 737-900ER) score virtually the same in first: 2.8 vs 2.8/10. The biggest gap is seat width — 21"-wide seats vs 20" — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
Which is better in economy: Delta or United on ATL-ORD?
Main Cabin (Delta Air Lines, 737-800) and Economy (United Airlines, 737-900ER) score virtually the same in economy: 4.1 vs 4.2/10. The biggest gap is power — AC + USB-C vs USB-A only — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
Which is better in first: American or United on ATL-ORD?
First Class (American Airlines, A321neo) and United First (United Airlines, 737-900ER) score virtually the same in first: 2.5 vs 2.8/10. The biggest gap is entertainment — a 13" screen vs app_only — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
Which is better in economy: American or United on ATL-ORD?
Economy (United Airlines, 737-900ER) edges out Main Cabin (American Airlines, A321neo) in economy, scoring 4.2/10 vs 3.7. The deciding factor: a 10" screen vs app_only. American Airlines fights back on seat width.
What are the best seats in Delta Delta First Class on ATL-ORD?
Best: Row 1 bulkhead has the most legroom. 1A and 1D are window seats with the best privacy in a 2-2 layout. Avoid: Row 4 is closest to the Comfort+ cabin and forward galley. B and C seats are more exposed to aisle traffic. Post-retrofit 737-800 with the same Recaro CL4710 seats as the A321neo. 13.3-inch Panasonic eX1 HD seatback screens. Winged headrests for privacy. AC outlet and USB at every seat. Delta Sync free WiFi. Complimentary drinks, snacks, and plated meals on flights over 900 miles departing before 9pm.
What are the best seats in Delta Main Cabin on ATL-ORD?
Best: Comfort+ rows 10-15 (36 seats) offer 34-inch pitch with priority boarding and complimentary premium snacks and beer/wine/spirits. Row 10 bulkhead has the most legroom. Avoid: Last rows near rear lavatory. Middle seats (B, E) throughout. Row 33 does not recline. 36 Comfort+ seats in rows 10-15 with 34-inch pitch; 108 Main Cabin seats in rows 16-33 with 31-32 inches. Post-retrofit Recaro BL3530 slimline seats matching the A321neo. 10-inch Panasonic eX1 seatback screens. USB-A at every seat, AC outlets shared between seats. Delta Sync free WiFi.
What are the best seats in American First Class on ATL-ORD?
Best: Row 1A and 1L are farthest from the galley and offer the most privacy. All seats have direct aisle access in the 1-1 layout. Avoid: Row 5 is closest to the business class cabin and may experience some noise from the galley area between cabins. Only 10 suites total on this narrowbody. The 1-1 configuration is unique for a single-aisle aircraft. Sliding doors on all suites. This fleet is being phased out as the A321XLR enters service.
What are the best seats in American Main Cabin on ATL-ORD?
Best: Rows 11-16 are designated Main Cabin Extra with 35 inches of pitch. Row 11 bulkhead has the most legroom. Exit row offers additional space. Avoid: Last row (22) has limited recline and is near the rear lavatory. Middle seats (B and E) are least desirable. Half of the economy cabin (36 seats) is Main Cabin Extra with additional pitch. Seatback IFE screens with live TV in all economy seats. Only 72 economy seats total, making this a very premium-heavy narrowbody configuration. Exit row seats on the A320/A321 family offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.
What are the best seats in United United First on ATL-ORD?
Best: Row 1 has the most legroom as a bulkhead. 1A and 1F offer the most privacy with the wall on one side. Row 2 is the sweet spot between legroom and storage (bulkhead rows lack under-seat storage). Avoid: Row 5 seats 5A/5B do not recline; 5E/5F have roughly half the recline of other First rows. This is the biggest seat trap on the 737-900ER. Signature Interior with Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seats, 13-inch HD seatback touchscreens with Bluetooth audio, USB-A and USB-C at every seat plus AC outlet. Complimentary meal service on flights over 800 miles; snack basket on shorter flights. ViaSat Ka-band WiFi free for MileagePlus members. Starlink awaiting FAA certification for 737-900ER, expected during 2026. Majority of fleet retrofitted to Signature Interior; some older aircraft remain.
What are the best seats in United Economy on ATL-ORD?
Best: Exit row 21 has 38.8 inches of pitch — more than First Class. The 2-seat side rows 20-21 are the best economy seats on the plane. Rows 7-14 are Economy Plus with 33-34-inch pitch. Avoid: Last row (row 33) has severely limited or no recline due to the rear lavatory wall. Rows 32-33 experience galley noise and lavatory traffic. Middle seats (B, E) in any row are the tightest at 30-inch pitch. Signature Interior with 10-inch HD seatback touchscreens and Bluetooth audio. USB-A and USB-C at every seat plus shared AC outlets. ViaSat Ka-band WiFi free for MileagePlus members. 42 Economy Plus seats in rows 7-14 have 33-34-inch pitch; 117 standard Economy seats have 30-inch pitch. Three sub-variants exist (39/42/45 Economy Plus seats); Version 2 with 42 E+ is most common (~84 of ~99 aircraft).