Throughout history, humans have been fascinated by the idea of flight, and as technology advanced, so did our ability to build larger and more powerful airplanes. From commercial airliners to military transport aircraft, the following are the top 10 largest airplanes in the world of all time.
Antonov An-225 Mriya
This massive aircraft, built in Ukraine, is the largest airplane ever built, measuring 84 meters in length and having a wingspan of 88 meters. It was designed to transport the Soviet Union’s Buran spacecraft. It was used to transport heavy cargo around the world until it was destroyed during the Ukraine – Russian war. The Ukrainian government however has declared that they will rebuild the AN-225.
Hughes H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose)
Although it only flew once, this airplane is still noteworthy for its massive size. It measures 66.7 meters in length and has a wingspan of 97.5 meters. It was designed to transport troops and supplies during World War II, but due to the end of the war and technological advancements, it never saw widespread use.
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Originally designed as a long-range strategic bomber, this airplane has been in service for over 60 years. It measures 48.5 meters in length and has a wingspan of 56.4 meters. It has been used in numerous conflicts, including the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.
Airbus A380-800
This commercial passenger airliner was introduced in 2007 and has a length of 72.7 meters and a wingspan of 79.8 meters. It can carry up to 853 passengers in a single-class configuration, making it one of the most spacious airplanes in the sky.
Boeing 747-8
This is the latest and largest version of the iconic Boeing 747 series. It measures 76.3 meters in length and has a wingspan of 68.4 meters. It has been used primarily for commercial cargo transport, although some airlines have used it as a passenger airliner as well.
Antonov An-124 Ruslan
This is one of the world’s largest military transport aircraft, measuring 69.1 meters in length and boasting a wingspan of 73.3 meters. It can carry a payload of up to 150 metric tons and has been used for humanitarian aid and military transport.
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
The C-5 Galaxy is a massive military transport aircraft built by Lockheed Martin that has been in service with the United States Air Force since 1970. With a length of 75.31 meters, a wingspan of 67.89 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 381 metric tons, the C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest aircraft in the world.
Convair XC-99
This airplane was built by the US Air Force in the 1940s and was the largest airplane in the world at that time. It measures 53.4 meters in length and has a wingspan of 70.1 meters. It was used for transport during the Korean War but was ultimately retired due to its high operating costs.
Boeing 777-300ER
This twin-engine commercial passenger airliner has a length of 73.9 meters and a wingspan of 64.8 meters. It can carry up to 550 passengers in a typical three-class configuration and has a range of up to 14,490 kilometers. However, the 777-300ER will soon be overtaken by the Boeing 777-9X set to go on service by 2025.
Blohm & Voss BV 238
This airplane was built by Germany during World War II and was one of the largest seaplanes ever built. It measures 43 meters in length and has a wingspan of 60 meters. It was designed for maritime reconnaissance and patrol, but due to the end of the war, it never saw combat.
These top 10 largest airplanes in the world of all time are truly remarkable feats of engineering and design. From massive cargo planes to passenger airliners and military transporters, these aircraft have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in aviation technology. They represent the pinnacle of human achievement and serve as a testament to our drive for innovation and progress in the field of aviation.
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!
