What Are the World’s Largest Aircraft?

Aircraft sizes vary depending on many factors, including passenger capacity, wingspan, and the tons of weight and payload they can carry.

While not common in Turkey, there are numerous giant aircraft with very different designs worldwide. Some of these aircraft stand out with their unique designs, some with their extremely spacious interiors, and others with their distinct features. When we list the world’s largest aircraft:

• Airbus A380
• Boeing 747-8
• Boeing 777-9
• Antonov An-124
• Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
• Airbus Beluga XL
• Boeing Dreamlifter
• Hughes H-4 Hercules

Large Aircraft with the Development of Technology

Aircraft, which operate in many areas such as tourism, logistics, and the defense industry, have gained significant importance with the advancement of technology. As technologies that push the boundaries of the aviation sector emerge daily, aircraft are becoming larger and more functional.

This clearly demonstrates the importance of the aviation sector in trade and logistics. As international trade volume grows, and highways become less practical, companies are seeking more flexible, faster, and more convenient routes. In this regard, the growing and developing high-technology aircraft are at the forefront of these options.

Technological advancements are directly proportional to increasing competition and globalization in the aviation sector. The growth and development of cargo and passenger aircraft are also leading to the development of value-added service opportunities through companies. At the same time, developments in the aviation sector and freight transportation have paralleled developments in the logistics sector.

Features of the World’s Largest Aircraft

As technology evolves, globalization rises, and competition grows, each aircraft has its own unique characteristics. Here are the world’s largest aircraft:

Airbus A380-800

This aircraft, the Airbus A380-800, is the world’s largest passenger aircraft. It is Airbus’s first double-decker airliner. Having completed its first test flight in 2005, the aircraft can carry a total of 525 passengers. During takeoff, the A380’s wings extend upwards by more than 4 meters (13 feet). The aircraft’s exterior paint weight is 531 kg.

Boeing 747-8

The Boeing 747-8, used for both passenger and cargo transport, is the largest passenger aircraft in the United States and the second largest in the world. The 747-8 is currently the longest passenger aircraft in the world.

Boeing 777- 9

The 777-9 has the longest wings Boeing has ever produced. These wings are made of very strong and lightweight carbon fiber and are made in giant ovens called autoclaves, which are used to pressure-cook the wing components.

Antonov An-124

The Antonov An-124 commercial aircraft, originally named the Ruslan, was developed as a heavy military transport aircraft. This aircraft, the world’s largest cargo transport aircraft, is designed for the transport of heavy and various oversized cargo. The aircraft has a double-deck fuselage layout. The upper deck houses the cockpit and crew compartment, the cargo and crew cabin, and the lower deck is pressurized cargo compartment. This aircraft features multi-wheel landing gear, enabling it to operate comfortably at airports with limited equipment. Its advanced computer system ensures reliability and operational safety.

Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

It’s an American-made military cargo aircraft. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has been in service for many years. It’s approximately 3 meters longer than the world’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A380. It’s large enough to fit a tank and six helicopters in its cargo hold. Its wings are as large as basketball courts. In fact, it doesn’t fit in hangars, so its tail is usually stored outside by drilling a hole in the hangar.

Airbus Beluga XL

Dünya’nın en büyük uçaklarından biri olan “uçak balina” Airbus The Beluga XL is a cargo aircraft designed to carry Airbus wings. Of the six aircraft designs available, 40 percent of employees chose the smiling whale. With a payload capacity of 50.5 tons, the 63.1-meter-long aircraft can operate multiple flights.

Boeing Dreamlifter

Boeing’s 787, also known as the large cargo freighter, was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagoya, Japan. The fuselage sections, built in Japan, Italy, and the US, proved too large for standard shipping containers or the 747 Freighter’s hold. This proved difficult, as traditional land and sea transport proved difficult, and Boeing’s traditional method of transporting the parts by air proved inadequate. Therefore, Boeing developed the Dreamlifter, based on the 747-400 fuselage. This aircraft retained the basic design and wingspan but modified the fuselage and tail.

Hughes H-4 Hercules

The single 300,000-pound (181,436 kg) H-4 Hercules flying boat, built by Hughes Aircraft Co., was the largest flying boat ever built, with the largest wingspan. Hughes continued to develop the aircraft under the H-4 designation. The press nicknamed it the “Spruce Goose.” The cargo-type flying boat was designed to carry 750 fully equipped troops or two Sherman tanks over long distances.