A more accurate statement is that Delta is - in some respects (upgraded International Y experience, keeping decent seating in international Y, adding PE, going with a new "suite" design, expanding DeltaOne into more markets, running a good operation) competing on product. Delta has certainly tried to keep itself marginally competitive with quality Asian carriers. Delta does not always succeed (for example, cuts on meal quality on domestic DeltaOne flights) but they are at least trying to stay in the game.

United OTOH, other than the initial roll-out of Polaris with improved soft product, and now the slow roll-out of the "Polaris Lounges" is really playing a different game. With ongoing soft product cut backs, offering less in domestic F than OALs, and going with ultra tight seating in Y fleet wide, with no PE in slight, UA is simply trying to offer the lowest possible cost/seat it can figure out.

While Delta and United are going very different paths, the interesting question is what will AS, B6, and AA do? Mixed signals from all three on the direction they intend to go.