The 5 Largest Aircraft in the World Are Dominating the Skies: What You Need to Know

The 5 Largest Aircraft in the World Are Dominating the Skies is easier to understand when the main concepts, benefits, limitations, and real-world uses are considered together.

This guide organizes the essential information into clear sections and adds practical context so you can make a more informed decision.

5. Antonov An-124 Ruslan

5. Antonov An-124 Ruslan illustration

The Antonov An-124 Ruslan was designed and built by the Antonov Design Bureau in Russia. It is the largest and heaviest cargo aircraft in the world with a reported payload of 165 tonnes. Nearly 30 years after its introduction in 1984, the An-124 continues to perform air transport duties for Russia.

4. Boeing 747 Dreamlifter

4. Boeing 747 Dreamlifter illustration 2

In the 2000s, aircraft manufacturer Boeing upgraded its largest aircraft, the Boeing 747, with a larger, customized cargo hold to transport parts for the 787 Dreamliner, its world-wide production aircraft.

The upgraded aircraft, called the Boeing 747 Dreamlifter, has the world's largest cargo hold. It can carry three times the weight of a 747-400F freighter, which can carry up to 125 tons.

3. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

3. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy illustration 3

It is the world's longest-range military transport aircraft, capable of flying more than 7,000 miles without refueling when empty. The C-5 Galaxy has a payload capacity of nearly 200,000 pounds, enough space to carry three Black Hawks helicopters, two M1 Abrams tanks, 16 Humvees, or many other vehicles.

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is regularly used by the US military.

2. Aero Spacelines Super Guppy

2. Aero Spacelines Super Guppy illustration 4

The first Super Guppy was built from the fuselage of a Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter to serve the purpose of transporting large cargo, so it has a rather odd shape. The Super Guppy first flew in 1965. Currently, organizations around the world have retired this giant aircraft except NASA. The US space agency still uses it to transport components for spacecraft and rockets.

1. Antonov An-225 Mriya

1. Antonov An-225 Mriya illustration 5

The Antonov An-225 is the world's largest aircraft and there is only one of it. It was originally designed by the Antonov design bureau to carry the Buran (the Soviet version of the space shuttle) and the Energia rocket. But after the collapse of the Soviet space program, it was used for air transport.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 710 tonnes, the An-225 is the heaviest aircraft ever built. In addition, this giant aircraft also holds the record for gross airlift weight of 253.8 tonnes and has the longest wingspan.

In 2020, the An-225 was used to deliver relief cargo to countries around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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