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Here at AeroTime, we’ve gathered information to compile a list of the top 10 largest commercial aircraft in the world by 2024.
The planes are arranged in ascending order based on their maximum passenger capacity. The smallest plane can hold a few hundred people, while the largest plane is over the top.
World’s 10 Largest Commercial Aircraft By 2023
10. Airbus A350-900
The Airbus A350 is a long-haul passenger aircraft that can carry 300-350 people and has a range of up to 15,000 km. Its competitors in the market include the Boeing 777 and 787-10 series, as well as the upcoming Boeing 777X, which will go on sale in 2025. Among A350-900 operators, Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) is the largest.
One of the most successful wide-body aircraft families of all time, the A350 family has delivered 585 jets globally by January 2024, taking 1283 firm orders.
The A350s, originally intended to carry cargo, were modified to carry medical supplies and other equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. An A350 cargo plane can carry 104 tons of cargo.
9. Boeing 747-400
Built in the United States, the Boeing 747-400 is a passenger aircraft that can carry 416 people in a three-class arrangement, 524 people in a two-class arrangement, or 660 people in an all-economy cabin. Its cruising range is 13,446 kilometers or 7,260 nautical miles.
On April 29, 1988, the 747-400, a significant advancement in the 747 series with several structural and electrical improvements, completed its maiden flight.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic had a major impact on the aviation sector, causing some companies, notably British Airways, to retire their entire Boeing 747 fleet. As a result, Lufthansa is now the largest operator of the aircraft, operating eight of the 747-400s (the Boeing 777X will replace them in 2025).
8. Airbus A340-500
The French manufacturer produces the wide-body passenger Airbus A340-500. When it was originally released in 2002, it could accommodate 372 passengers in one class and 313 passengers in a standard two-class arrangement.
Emirates and Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) were the main operators of the aircraft; The latter operated the longest trip in history between Singapore and Newark with an A340-500.
No A340-500s will operate in commercial airline service until April 2023. Azerbaijan Airlines canceled the last two such services in 2019.
7. Airbus A340-300
The Airbus A340-300 is a French-built long-haul airliner that first entered service in 1993. In single-class configuration, it can accommodate 295 passengers, while in standard two-class arrangement, it can accommodate 267 passengers.
Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) is the largest operator, with a fleet of 17 A340-300s. But in June 2020, Iberia, which flew 21 A340s, said it would retire the aircraft type, citing high operating costs and the unsuitability of four-engine aircraft.
6. Airbus A330-300
On November 2, 1992, the widebody Airbus A330-300 entered service for the first time. Depending on the airline’s preferred seating arrangement, it can accommodate 250-440 passengers. Turkish Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines (ZNH), China Eastern Airlines (CIAH) (CEA), and Cathay Pacific are some of its major customers.
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in passenger numbers, increasing the need and cost of air cargo. In response to this demand, Airbus unveiled a new cargo conversion option for the A330, which can carry 61 tons of cargo.
5. Boeing 777-200
A passenger aircraft manufactured in the US is the Boeing 777-200. In a standard two-class configuration, it can hold 400 passengers, but in single class, it can hold 440 passengers. Depending on the type, its cruising range can reach 7,700 nautical miles or 14,260 kilometers.
Although United Airlines and All Nippon Airways began retiring the Boeing 777-200 before the COVID-19 pandemic, both airlines continue to use the aircraft. However, Delta Airlines (DAL) and Singapore have retired them entirely.
4. Airbus A340-600
The largest aircraft in the A340 series is the four-engine wide-body Airbus A340-600, which can seat up to 475 people. Since its launch in 2002, it has been adopted by many airlines around the world.
With a fleet of ten aircraft by January 2024, Lufthansa ( LHAB ) ( LHA ) is one of the primary operators of the A340-600.
3. Boeing 777-300
The Boeing 777-300 is a wide-body passenger airliner manufactured in the United States that can accommodate 550 people in one class and 451 people in a standard two-class configuration. Depending on the version, its cruising range can reach 7,370 nautical miles or 13,650 kilometers.
With a fleet of 17 aircraft by January 2024, Cathay Pacific is one of the largest users of the Boeing 777-300.
2. Boeing 747-8
The Boeing 747-8, an American-made airliner, is manufactured there. It can seat a maximum of 605 people and 467 passengers in a three-class arrangement. This aircraft can travel 14,816 kilometers or 8,000 nautical miles at a time.
In 2006, after Lufthansa ( LHAB ) ( LHA ), Korean Air and Air China were the next airlines to place orders for the 747-8. The US president’s Air Force One transport jet, which is expected to be completed in 2024, placed the final order for the passenger version of the 747-8 in 2011.
Boeing said goodbye to the “Queen of the Sky” in January 2023 after delivering the last 747 due to low demand. The Boeing 777X, the company’s most recent model, will replace the 747-8 in service within the next two years. Currently, 363 777X aircraft are on order from more than 11 carriers, including All Nippon Airways, Qatar and Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA).
1. Airbus A380-800
The French-built Airbus A380-800, which tops our list, can carry 853 people in one class or 644 people in a two-level class. Its maximum flight length is 8,208 nautical miles or 15,200 kilometers.
The model started on 27 April 2005 and till 20 December 251 deliveries of the aircraft have been made to 21 14 customers. However, Airbus confirmed that the A380-800 will be retired in 2021 due to low sales.
Emirates is the primary operator of this aircraft with a fleet of 120 aircraft. Air France has officially confirmed that the entire A380 fleet will be retired by March 2023. Lufthansa relaunches four A380s in October 2023; These aircraft are now stationed in Munich.
Before the delivery of the final batch, Singapore Airlines had withdrawn several A380s, but at its height, it was operating around 20 aircraft, making it the second largest operator behind Emirates. Only nine of Singapore Airlines’ A380s are currently in service.
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