It’s no secret among frequent flyers that US airlines are lacking, compared to their global counterparts. This is especially true over the Pacific—and especially to Taiwan.
If I have a choice, I will never choose to fly an American carrier over China Airlines, EVA Air or Starlux. Each of these airlines is absolutely stellar, and is leagues above United, Delta or American in terms of product, service and food, or just about any other metric.
At the same time, if you find yourself forced to decide between United or Delta to Taiwan, I’m here to help you. And don’t worry: I won’t mince words in my analysis.
Spoiler Alert: Neither United Nor Delta Are Great
When comparing United vs Delta to Taiwan, you need to have realistic expectations. And you also need to get out of your American bubble, if you’re in one. While the corporate press narrative is that Delta is a “premium” carrier and that United is nipping at its heels, the reality is that these two airlines, on their best day, are inferior to the Taiwanese “Big Three” (China Airlines, EVA Air, Starlux) on their worst.
Now, I know from personal experience that sometimes, a US carrier simply ends up having the most convenient schedule or the best price. It’s also possible that you are flying for business, and that your company requires you to choose an American airline. It doesn’t matter—when I call attention to the inadequacies of these airlines, please just know that I am not judging you personally.
Ways to Compare United and Delta to Taiwan
Routes, frequency and schedule
As of 2025, United has double the flights per day (2) to Taiwan as Delta (1), with both an afternoon and a midnight departure from (and a morning and afternoon departure back to) San Francisco. Delta’s lone flight is to and from Seattle, which it leaves in the afternoon and flies back to in the morning. I’d say that United gets the nod here, simply because flying United gives you a choice.
Aircraft
Whether you fly United business class to Taiwan or sit in the carrier’s other two classes (Premium Economy and Economy), you’ll be flying on a Boeing 777, either a 777-200ER or a 777-300ER. Delta flies a more modern aircraft (the Airbus A350-900), though it has flown the A330-900 (which is slightly less modern) previously. In this category, Delta is the clear winner.
Seat
When they were released in 2016 and 2018, respectively, the United Polaris seat and the Delta One suite were both pretty revolutionary. These days, both are decidedly middle-of-the-pack, with the Delta seat (which has a door) offering slightly more privacy. On the other hand, I find United’s muted cabin much more soothing than Delta’s clinical, white one.
Food and service
One of my biggest disappointments in flying Delta business class to Taiwan was the food, with the “Taiwanese” option not bearing any resemblance whatsoever to what I ate on the ground. While United’s lamb (definitely not Taiwanese) was tastier, the unfortunate truth is that service on both airlines is lackluster. Many of the flight attendants are elderly, most are cranky and all seem like they would literally rather be anywhere else.
Options for mileage redemption
If you’ve at all participated in the miles and points game, then you know Delta’s frequent flyer miles have a well-deserved “SkyPesos” nickname. “Sale” prices for business class from the US Taipei are around 130,000 miles, which is higher than the normal price on United. Additionally, while you can book United’s SFO-TPE flights using Air Canada or Avianca miles (and sometimes, some others), Delta’s are almost impossible to reserve elsewhere.
Why I Prefer Taiwanese Airlines Over Both United and Delta
Earlier, it might’ve seemed like I was just talking smack—and to some extent I guess I was. But there are tangible reasons that I prefer to fly Taiwanese airlines to and from Taiwan, when I have a choice. The first? Service and hospitality are simply on another level. US flight attendants tend to be cranky, terse and even mean. With Taiwanese cabin crew, on the other hand, I never experience anything but kindness or grace.
Likewise, you’ll notice that regardless of whether you fly Delta or United to Taiwan, the food leaves a lot to be desired. By contrast, EVA Air in particular shines on food, with truly gourmet options like rack of lamb and lobster thermidor available via its “Book the Cook” feature. This is to say nothing of superior dessert options, and actual champagne instead of cheap, nasty sparkling wine.
Other FAQ About Delta and United to Taiwan
Is Delta or United better for international travel?
I consider United to be slightly better than Delta for international travel. While the Delta One suite is better than United Polaris, not all international Delta aircraft feature it. Moreover, United tends to have better prices and more award availability, which is also priced more reasonably than Delta’s.
Which is the best airline to fly to Taiwan?
I always try to fly Taiwanese airlines like China Airlines, EVA Air and Starlux to Taiwan, if I can. If I absolutely have to fly a US airline (as of 2025, only Delta and United fly to Taipei from the US), I will probably choose United, due to better pricing and availability.
Should I fly United or Delta to Taipei?
If you can, I would avoid flying US airlines entirely on your trip to Taiwan and fly one of Taiwan’s fabulous local airlines: EVA Air, Starlux or China Airlines. However, if you have no choice but to fly an American carrier, I suggest choosing whichever one has the best price and schedule for you—they’re basically the same in terms of in-flight experience.
The Bottom Line
Deciding between United or Delta to Taiwan can feel like a choice between a root canal and a mouth full of fillings. While neither of these carriers are terrible, they are significantly worse options than any of the three Taiwanese carriers, and indeed compared to most other East Asian carriers, with the possible exception of those from mainland China. If I had to, I’d probably give a slight advantage to United, due to better award availability, and more connections to and from its San Francisco hub than Delta has in Seattle. Need personalized help planning your next trip to Taiwan? Consider hiring me to help!
