Airplanes play an essential role in the world’s economy. One of their benefits is that they provide people with opportunities to visit several countries across the globe and experience different cultures and places. Besides, airplanes boost the world’s economy by providing job opportunities for people. According to research, there are tens of thousands of airplanes across the world. Of course, that also includes Antonov An-225 Mriya, the former biggest airplane in the world. Designed in the 1980s, Mriya was a strategic airlift cargo airplane that originated from the Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR). Unfortunately, this airplane was recently destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to this post. That said, the rest of this article will focus on sharing with you the list of the top 10 biggest planes in the world.
Top 10 list of the biggest planes in the world
1. Aero Spaceline’s Super Guppy
Occupying the first position on our list of the top 10 biggest planes in the world is Aero Spaceline’s Super Guppy. This airplane is an outsize cargo aircraft designed by Aero Spacelines/Airbus. Currently, the primary users of Super Guppy are Aero Spacelines, NASA, Airbus, and Aeromaritime.
There are tons of reasons Super Guppy is considered the biggest worldwide. For instance, during the Apollo Program, the airplane was utilized to carry a complete S-IVB stage of the Saturn V rocket. Interestingly, Guppy is the only plane in the world to have done that.
In terms of performance, Super Guppy has a maximum speed of 290 mph or 460 km/h. Its cruise speed is 250 mph (or 410 km/h) while its normal range is 1,995 mi (or 3,211 km).
2. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
Sitting in the second spot on the list of the top 10 biggest planes in the world is Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. This airplane, designed and built by Lockheed in 1970, is a large military transport aircraft used by the United States Air Force.
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a high-performance airplane. It has a maximum speed of 532 mph (or 856 km/h). Its cruise speed is 520 mph (or 830 km/h) while its normal range is 5,500 mi (or 8,900 km). Without refueling, the airplane can fly up to 7,000 miles.
3. Antonov An-124
Antonov An-124, an airplane designed by the Antonov design bureau in the Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR), occupies the third position on this list. The primary users of the airplane are the Russian Air Force, Antonov Airlines, and Volga-Dnepr Airlines.
Speaking of its performance, Antonov An-124 has a payload capacity of 165 tons. Besides, the airplane has a cruise speed of 865 km/h and an approach speed of up to 260 km/h. The aircraft’s maximum take-off run is 9,800 ft while its maximum landing roll is 3,000 ft.
4. Boeing 747 Dreamlifter
747 Dreamlifter is a wide-body cargo airplane manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation. Boeing developed this airplane from Boeing 747-400, an advanced variant.
Currently, Dreamlifter has the largest cargo hold in the world, at 65,000 cubic feet. Furthermore, the airplane has a fuel capacity of 52,609 U.S. gal, a cruising speed of 878 km/h, and a maximum take-off weight of 364,235 kg (or 803,001 lb).
5. Airbus A380
Occupying the fifth position on the list of the top 10 biggest planes in the world is Airbus A380. Designed and produced by Airbus, this airplane is currently being used by Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, and Qantas.
Speaking of performance, the Airbus A389 airplane has a cruise speed of 903 km/h and a landing speed of 256 km/h. Its take-off roll is 9,800 ft while its range is 14,800 km.
6. Ilyushin Il-76
Ilyushin Il-76 is a strategic and tactical air lifter that originates from the Soviet Union (Russia). Designed by Tashkent Aviation Production Association and Aviastar-SP, this aircraft has a wingspan of 165 ft and a maximum payload of up to 50 tons. With that, Il-76 can carry up to 140 troops conveniently.
Speaking of performance, Ilyushin Il-76 features a max takeoff weight of 195,000 kg and a maximum speed of 900 km/h (Mach 0.82). Its normal range is 4,000 km while its ferry range is 9,300km.
7. Airbus BelugaXL
Occupying the seventh spot on the list of the top 10 biggest planes in the world is Airbus BelugaXL. Developed in 2014 by Airbus, this airplane has a payload capacity of 50,500 kg (56 tons). The primary user of the airplane is Airbus Transport International.
Airbus BelugaXL has a wing area of 3,892 sq ft and a wingspan of 197 ft 10 in. Its fuel capacity is 73,000 kg while its cruise speed is 737 km/h. Furthermore, the airplane has a normal range of 4,300 km and a service ceiling of 35,000 ft.
Airbus BelugaXL is known for its high performance. The airplane has a cruise speed of 737 km/hr, a normal range of 4,300 km, and a service ceiling of 35,000 ft. Furthermore, the
8. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport airplane developed in the 1980s. This strategic and tactical airlifter originates from the United States. Currently, the United States Air Force, Indian Air Force, and Royal Air Force are the primary users of this aircraft.
Speaking of performance, C-17 has a cargo with a capacity of 170,900 lb (77,519 kg). The airplane has a cruise speed of 520 mph (830 km/h) and a range of 2,780 mi (4,480 km).
9. Hughes H-4 Hercules
Occupying the ninth spot on the top 10 list of the biggest planes in the world is Hughes H-4 Hercules. Also known as Spruce Goose, this heavy transport flying boat has a height of 79 feet 4 inches, a wingspan of approximately 320 ft, and a fuselage height of 30 ft.
Performance-wise, Hughes H-4 Hercules has a cruise speed of 250 mph and a normal range of 4,800 km. Also, the airplane has a service ceiling of 20,900 ft.
10. Mil Mi-26
The Mil Mi-26 is a heavy lift cargo helicopter that originates from the Soviet Union (Russia). The primary users of this aircraft are the Russian Air Force, Aeroflot, Algerian Air Force, and Indian Air Force. Mil Mi-26 is big enough to carry 90 troops or 60 stretchers conveniently.
Furthermore, Mil Mi-26 has a maximum take-off weight of 56,000 kg and a maximum speed of 295 km/h. Its cruise speed is 255 km/h, the normal range is 500 km, and its ferry range is 1,920 km.
