Biggest Commercial Airplanes

Commercial aviation size has gotten complicated with all the competing claims and discontinued programs flying around. As someone who has stood on observation decks watching these giants taxi by for years, I learned everything there is to know about the world largest passenger aircraft. Today, I am sharing it all with you.

Airbus A380

The A380 takes the crown. Still the largest passenger airplane flying today. Singapore Airlines got the first one back in October 2007, and I remember reading about it obsessively. Two full passenger decks can squeeze in 850 people if you are heartless about legroom, though most airlines configure it for around 555 in three classes. Wingspan measures 79.75 meters – nearly a football field.

• First flight: April 27, 2005
• Engines: Four Engine Alliance GP7200 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900
• Maximum range: 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 kilometers)

Some configurations include onboard showers, lounges, even duty-free shops. It is mainly used for long-haul international routes. Probably should mention that Airbus announced in 2019 they would end production by 2021 – demand just was not there anymore. That is what makes the remaining operational A380s endearing to aviation enthusiasts – they are flying monuments to peak passenger aircraft ambition.

Boeing 747-8

The 747-8 is Boeing biggest and latest 747 variant. Largest payload capacity and longest range in the whole series. I am apparently a sucker for the 747 distinctive hump, and the -8 version delivers while adding modern efficiency.

• First flight: February 8, 2010
• Engines: Four GEnx-2B67
• Maximum range: 7,730 nautical miles (14,320 kilometers)

Typical three-class setup holds about 467 passengers. They improved the aerodynamics and stuck in more efficient engines to cut operating costs. Wingspan hits 68.4 meters. Lufthansa and Korean Air still fly them regularly.

Boeing 777-9

The 777-9 is part of Boeing 777X series – their newest long-range, wide-body offering. It is still in testing as I write this, so everything here comes with an asterisk.

• First flight: January 25, 2020
• Engines: Two General Electric GE9X
• Maximum range: 7,285 nautical miles (13,500 kilometers)

Two-class configuration fits up to 426 passengers. The wings extend to 71.8 meters in flight but fold for gate compatibility. It is aimed directly at the Airbus A350-1000 market. We will see how the competition shakes out once commercial service actually starts.

Airbus A350-1000

The A350-1000 is Airbus largest in the A350 family. Designed for long-range efficiency, heavy on advanced materials and aerodynamics.

• First flight: November 24, 2016
• Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97
• Maximum range: 8,700 nautical miles (16,100 kilometers)

Around 410 passengers in typical three-class layout. Wingspan measures 64.75 meters. The CO2 reduction compared to older long-haul aircraft is significant. Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific operate them now – I flew on one last year out of Doha and honestly did not want to get off.

Boeing 787-10

The 787-10 is the biggest Dreamliner. Known for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, which do not usually go together.

• First flight: March 31, 2017
• Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 or General Electric GEnx-1B
• Maximum range: 6,430 nautical miles (11,910 kilometers)

Two-class configuration seats up to 330. Wingspan is 60.1 meters. The fuel burn reduction is about 25% compared to previous generation aircraft – that is not marketing, that is real operational data. Singapore Airlines and United are primary operators.

Antonov An-225 Mriya

Okay, this is not a passenger aircraft, but I cannot write about biggest planes without mentioning it. The An-225 remains the heaviest aircraft ever built. Originally designed to haul the Soviet Buran spaceplane around.

• First flight: December 21, 1988
• Engines: Six Progress D-18T turbofan engines
• Maximum range: 8,300 nautical miles (15,400 kilometers) unladen

Wingspan of 88.4 meters. Internal payload capacity of 250 metric tons. Only one was ever operational, run by Antonov Airlines. It handled oversized cargo that literally nothing else could move. Sadly, it was destroyed during the 2022 war in Ukraine.

Other Notable Mentions

A few other aircraft deserve a nod here.

Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

Primarily military, the C-5 is among the largest transport aircraft ever. It has seen some commercial use for heavy cargo, though that is not its main gig.

McDonnell Douglas MD-11

No longer in production, but the MD-11 was a distinctive trijet – that third engine mounted on the tail made it instantly recognizable. Still flies cargo routes today. I have always had a soft spot for trijets, and this one works for me while modern twins never quite capture the same aesthetic.

Large commercial aircraft development keeps pushing boundaries. These machines have connected economies, made international travel routine, and moved cargo across oceans overnight. Whether carrying passengers or freight, they represent some of humanity most impressive engineering achievements.