From the Antonov An-225 Mriya to the Boeing 777-9, discover the world’s largest planes, each boasting superior engineering and playing a vital role in the aviation industry. … Read more From the Antonov An-225 Mriya to the Boeing 777-9, discover the world’s largest planes, each boasting superior engineering and playing a vital role in the aviation industry. These aircraft cater to passenger transport, cargo logistics and special missions, pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation. Read more The world of aviation is home to some of the most impressive feats of engineering, with aircraft that push the boundaries of size, capacity and capability. From gigantic cargo planes to luxurious passenger behemoths, these planes represent the pinnacle of aerospace innovation. Each aircraft on this list not only showcases technological advancements, but also plays a vital role in global transportation and logistics.
Join us as we explore the wonders of the world’s largest aircraft, each making a unique contribution to the evolution of aviation and shaping the way we connect and transport goods across continents.
List of the world’s largest airplanes in 2024
Rank
aircraft
Maximum takeoff weight
1
Antonov An-225 Mriya
640 tons (1,400,000 pounds)
2
Scaled Composites Stratolaunch
GBP 600,000
3
Airbus A380-800
569 tons (1,254,000 pounds)
Four
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
381 tons (840,000 pounds)
Five
Antonov An-124 Ruslan
405 tons (892,000 pounds)
6
Boeing 747-8
448 tons (987,000 pounds)
7
Boeing Dreamlifter
374 tons (825,000 pounds)
8
Airbus Beluga XL
270 tons (595,000 pounds)
9
Antonov An-22 Antei
275 tons (606,000 pounds)
Ten
Boeing 777-9
351 tons (774,000 pounds)
The world’s largest plane
Antonov An-225 Mriya: With a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tons (1.4 million pounds) and a wingspan of 88.4 meters (290 feet), it is known as the largest and heaviest aircraft ever built.
Scaled Composites Stratolaunch: Featuring a unique twin-fuselage design, it holds the world record for the largest wingspan at 385 feet (117 meters) and is designed primarily for rocket launches.
Airbus A380-800: The double-decker A380 is unmatched in passenger capacity, carrying up to 853 passengers in a luxurious four-class configuration with a maximum takeoff weight of 569 tonnes (1,254,000 lbs).
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy: A strategic military transport aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 381 tons (840,000 pounds), known for its ability to carry oversized cargo.
Antonov An-124 Ruslan: A large cargo plane capable of lifting up to 150 tons (330,000 pounds) and widely used to transport heavy, oversized cargo.
Boeing 747-8: The latest version of the iconic 747 series, with a maximum takeoff weight of 448 tonnes (987,000 lbs), is suitable for long-haul cargo and passenger operations.
Boeing Dreamlifter: A modified 747-400 dedicated to transporting large aircraft parts with a maximum takeoff weight of 364 tons (800,000 pounds).
Airbus BelugaXL: Designed to transport large aircraft parts between Airbus production sites, it has a maximum takeoff weight of 227 tonnes (500,000 pounds).
Antonov An-22 Antei: A large transport aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 250 tons (550,000 pounds), known for being used to transport oversized cargo.
Boeing 777-9: The newest and largest variant of the 777 series, with a maximum takeoff weight of 351 tonnes (775,000 lbs), features advanced technology and long-range capabilities.
These aircraft represent the cutting edge of aeronautical engineering and are used for a variety of roles including passenger transport, cargo logistics and special missions such as rocket launches and oversized cargo transport.
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