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UPS Airlines vs Delta Air Lines
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at UPS Airlines (5X) and Delta Air Lines (DL) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
UPS Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Country
United States
United States
Airline Type
Cargo Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
5X
DL
Regulatory Authority
FAA
FAA
First Officer Salary
$100,000 - $220,000
$95,000 - $210,000
Captain Salary
$280,000 - $400,000+
$260,000 - $420,000+
Fleet
Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777, MD-11, Airbus A300
Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, Airbus A220/320/321/330/350
Requirements Comparison
UPS Airlines
- ATP certificate
- Turbine PIC experience
- FAA Class 1 medical
- Clean record
Delta Air Lines
- ATP certificate
- 1,500+ hours total time
- FAA Class 1 medical
- 4-year degree preferred
- Strong leadership and CRM skills
Pros & Cons
UPS Airlines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Daytime flexibility with cargo schedule
- +Diverse fleet with many type rating opportunities
- +Large domestic route network
Cons
- –Primarily night flying operations
- –Longer wait for specific type ratings due to fleet size
Delta Air Lines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Large domestic route network
About Each Airline
UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines offers top-tier pilot compensation with cargo operations. Night flying schedule allows for daytime flexibility.
Full UPS Airlines career guide →Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is consistently ranked as a top employer among US airlines, known for its strong company culture and competitive compensation.
Full Delta Air Lines career guide →Calculate Your Salary
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