The tungsten inert gas welding (VPTIG) and metal inert gas welding (MIG) welding tests were carried out on the 15mm-thick 2219 aluminum plates. The shape, internal quality, microstructure and tensile properties of the joints were compared and analyzed. The results show that the surface of TIG weld is bright and clean while the MIG welds are rough. There are a few tiny pores in MIG weld while the inside of the TIG weld is very clean. The grain size in weld seam of TIG joint is finer and more uniformly distributed than that of MIG joints. The grain size in heat affected zone (HAZ) of MIG joints is coarser than that of TIG joints. The grain size in fusion zone of both joints is quite uneven. Two kinds of joints cracked along the fusion zone in the tensile test at room temperature. The strength and plasticity of TIG joint is better than that of MIG joint.