Originally Posted by
Antarius
It's definitely possible that routes flown and luck can introduce variability in individual experiences, but broadly, the numbers back this up. DL commands a massive yield premium over AA. It's even more shocking as AA has a dominant position in several large and wealthy markets and has a JV with BA which, together, has the dominant position on the most lucrative route in the world (JFK-LHR). It is impressive as to how they manage to cock it up.
Exactly this IMHO. There's a ton of route to route variability and FA to FA variability on both airlines, so it's part routes and part luck. FWIW my experience is also that it's a wash, even with comparable status (which I've recently lost with DL).