There’s a lot of debate about which airlines are the world’s largest. I get why—there are various ways to measure this, such as fleet size, revenue, routes served, and passengers carried. However, the most common criterion that people use to judge the world’s biggest airlines is fleet size. So, we’ll use fleet size as the basis for listing the ten largest airlines in the world.
Believe it or not, the largest airlines in the world are from the United States, making the country the biggest aviation market globally. Between Delta, United, American Airlines, and Southwest, you’re already looking at a fleet size of 5,109 planes.
So, here are the ten largest airlines in the world in terms of fleet size as of September 2023:
American Airlines
American Airlines is not just big; it’s the largest airline in the United States and a major player globally. With roots going back to 1926, this airline has an extensive network that covers 267 destinations worldwide. Their fleet is a diverse mix, featuring Boeing, Airbus, Mitsubishi, and Embraer aircraft. Safety and customer satisfaction are their top priorities, and their AAdvantage loyalty program is something to talk about. They were also one of the founding members of the Oneworld airline alliance back in 1998.
United Airlines
United Airlines, based in Chicago, is the second-largest airline in the world when it comes to fleet size. They’ve been around since 1926 and have a rich history in American aviation. United has a broad network of domestic and international flights and is continually updating its fleet, which includes Boeing, Airbus, Mitsubishi, and Embraer aircraft. They’re also the world’s largest operator of Boeing aircraft and were a founding member of the Star Alliance.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, is another giant in the aviation world. They started flying in 1929 and have a strong reputation for excellent customer service. Delta was a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and has a fleet that includes Boeing, Airbus, Mitsubishi, and Embraer aircraft. They are the largest operator of Airbus aircraft in the United States and have a high customer satisfaction rating.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is a low-cost carrier that started in 1967 and is based in Dallas, Texas. They have a large domestic network and operate an all-Boeing fleet. Southwest is known for its efficient operations and frequent flights, making it a reliable choice for travelers. They are the largest operator of Boeing 737 aircraft in the world.
FedEx
FedEx is a global leader in air cargo. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, they have a diverse fleet that includes Boeing, Airbus, ATR, McDonnell Douglas, and Cessna aircraft. They play a vital role in the global supply chain and have plans to retire their McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft by 2028.
Ryanair
Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline, has changed the game with its affordable fares. They operate an extensive network across Europe and North Africa and are the largest airline in Europe. Their fleet is all-Boeing, and they have plans for even more Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 7 aircraft.
Air China
Air China is the flag carrier of China and has a comprehensive network that connects 201 destinations worldwide. Their fleet includes Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC aircraft, and they’ve been a member of Star Alliance since 2007.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines, founded in 1933, is Turkey’s national flag carrier and operates a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. They have been a member of Star Alliance since 2008 and have one of the largest aircraft orders ever placed.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa is the German flag carrier and connects passengers to over 300 destinations worldwide. They operate a diverse fleet and were a founding member of Star Alliance.
IndiGo
IndiGo is the largest airline in India and offers affordable air travel options. They operate a modern fleet and have code-share agreements with several major airlines. They also hold the record for the largest aircraft order in history.
| Airline | Fleet Size | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 1,528 | 1,106 |
| United Airlines | 1,444 | 950 |
| Delta Air Lines | 1,287 | 939 |
| Southwest Airlines | 850 | 754 |
| FedEx | 723 | 375 |
| Ryanair | 520 | 1,831 |
| Air China | 507 | 201 |
| Turkish Airlines | 336 | 340 |
| Lufthansa | 318 | 310 |
| IndiGo | 311 | 101 |
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
