In contact with
Classmates
Aviation, like many areas of engineering, is no stranger to gigantism.
Today we've rounded up some of the largest and most impressive aircraft ever to fly. Not only the dry dimensions were considered, but also the significance for world aviation, as well as the originality of the design and purpose.
Tupolev ANT-20 "Maxim Gorky"
Built in honor of the 40th anniversary of the literary activity of Maxim Gorky, the ANT-20 with 8 engines and a wingspan of 61 meters was the largest aircraft of its time. After a successful test flight on June 17, 1934, the Maxim Gorky was lazily cutting through the airspace over Red Square just two days later, striking the imagination of the residents of the then young Soviet state with its dimensions.
Inside the wings there were places equipped for sleeping, and in the central part one could find a printing house, a laboratory and even a library. It was assumed that the aircraft would be used in a very wide range of areas: from broadcasting (and not only) propaganda to entertainment passenger flights.
However, the further history of the ANT-20 is tragic: on May 18, 1935, an accident occurred, as a result of which the only copy of the aircraft crashed and the entire crew with 35 passengers on board died. Neither the ANT-20 nor its modifications ever entered mass production.
Characteristics and dimensions:
Length: 33 m
Wingspan: 63 m
Crew: 20 people.
Number of passengers: 60-70 people.
Max. flight speed: 275 km/h
Flight range: 1000 km
Max. take-off weight: 53 t
Hughes H-4
Hercules “Hercules” still retains the high-profile status of the largest seaplane in history and the owner of the largest wingspan (98 meters), although it was created under the leadership of the American tycoon Howard Hughes during the Second World War.
Several circumstances spoil the picture: intended to transport 750 soldiers in full equipment across the Atlantic, “Hercules” never crossed the ocean and remained in a single copy, and a wooden one at that.
Such an exotic material for aviation was chosen due to the restrictions imposed by the martial law in which the US economy found itself - there was a shortage of metals, especially aluminum. In 1947, the wooden Hercules still took off, but further development of the project was abandoned.
Characteristics and dimensions:
Length: 66.45 m
Wingspan: 97.54 m
Crew: 3 people
Number of passengers: 750 people. (intended for metal version)
Max. flight speed: 565 km/h
Flight range: 5634 km
Max. take-off weight: 180 t
An-22 "Antey"
The first Soviet wide-body aircraft, however, it is still the largest in the world in the category of aircraft with turboprop engines. The first flight was in 1965, and is still used today in Russia and Ukraine.
Characteristics and dimensions:
Length: 57.31 m
Wingspan: 64.40 m
Crew: 5-7 people.
Number of passengers: 28 people accompanying the cargo/290 soldiers/202 wounded/150 paratroopers
Max. flight speed: 650 km/h
Flight range: 8500 km (no load)
Max. take-off weight: 225 t
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
The legendary "Stratospheric Fortress" first took to the skies in 1952 and still serves the needs of the US Air Force. One of the largest strategic missile-carrying bombers, the B-52 was intended to deliver thermonuclear bombs anywhere in the USSR, but over time it underwent several modifications and became multi-functional.
After the start of operation, it was used in almost all US military campaigns, and was often involved in nuclear testing. In addition to bombs, it has laser-guided missiles. The most common modification is the B-52H.
Features and Dimensions (Model B-52H):
Length: 48.5 m
Wingspan: 56.4 m
Crew: 5 people
Number of passengers: crew only
Max. flight speed: 1047 km/h
Flight range: 16232 km (no load)
Max. take-off weight: 220 t
Lockheed
The pride of the American Air Force, developed by the aerospace company Lockheed. Having made its first flight in 1968, the C-5 strategic military transport aircraft in various modifications has survived to this day and continues to be used by the American armed forces at this time.
It was used in many military conflicts: in Vietnam, in Yugoslavia, in both wars in Iraq, and also in Afghanistan. Until 1982, it was the largest cargo aircraft in mass production. Purpose - transportation of military equipment and personnel to anywhere in the world.
On this moment The US Air Force already has 19 aircraft of the latest high-tech modification, the C-5M Super Galaxy (beginning of operation in February 2014). By 2018 it is planned to increase their number to 52.
Features and Dimensions (Model C-5M Super Galaxy):
Length: 75.53 m
Wingspan: 67.91 m
Crew: 7 people
Number of passengers: no data
Max. flight speed: 922 km/h
Flight range: 11711 km
Max. take-off weight: 381 t
An-124 "Ruslan"
The largest operational military aircraft in the world at the moment. Designed to transport both military equipment and personnel. Developed by the Antonov Design Bureau, the first flight took place in 1982. Now it is used both in Russia and Ukraine, and for civilian purposes - for example, for the transportation of non-standard and large-sized cargo. So, in 2011, Ruslan transported an entire locomotive weighing 109 tons from Canada to Ireland.
Characteristics and dimensions:
Length: 69.1 m
Wingspan: 73.3 m
Crew: 8 people
Number of passengers: 28 people.
Max. flight speed: 865 km/h
Flight range: 16500 km (no load)
Max. take-off weight: 392 t
Airbus A-380-800
The largest production passenger aircraft (airliner) in the world. The wingspan is almost 80 meters, with a capacity of up to 853 passengers. Developed by the European concern Airbus S.A.S., made its first flight in 2007, and is actively used by airlines. The design makes extensive use of composite materials to reduce the weight of the aircraft. With its appearance on the market, it became a worthy competitor to the aging Boeing 747.
Characteristics and dimensions:
Length: 73.1 m
Wingspan: 79.75 m
Crew: 2 people
Number of passengers: 853 people. (in single-class configuration)
Max. flight speed: 1020 km/h
Flight range: 15200 km
Max. take-off weight: 575 t
Boeing 747
Each of us has seen this plane at least once in our lives. Since its first flight in 1969, the 747 remained the world's largest passenger airliner for 37 years until the arrival of the Airbus A380. Used by airlines around the world. The legendary nature of this aircraft is proven, however, not only by the long and successful “life” of its modifications. In 1991, the Boeing 747 set a world record for the transportation of passengers: during the military operation “Solomon” to transport Ethiopian Jews to Israel, 1,112 passengers managed to fit on board the 747 and reach their destination at once. Among other things, this aircraft was also used to transport spacecraft of the Space Shuttle program from the production site to the spaceport. The 747-8I modification is the world's longest passenger aircraft.
Features and Dimensions (Model 747-8I):
Length: 76.4 m
Wingspan: 68.5 m
Crew: 2 people
Max. flight speed: 1102 km/h
Flight range: 14100 km
Max. take-off weight: 448 t
Airbus A300-600ST
Beluga “Beluga” is a modification of the Airbus family, distinguished by its unique hull shape. This aircraft is not as large compared to the others, but its purpose is to transport the largest cargo. In particular, parts of other Airbus aircraft. The first flight took place in 1994.
Characteristics and dimensions:
Length: 56.15 m
Wingspan: 44.84 m
Crew: 2 people
Number of passengers: 605 people. (in single-class configuration)
Max. flight speed: 1000 km/h
Flight range: 4632 km (with a load of 26 tons)
Max. take-off weight: 155 t
An-225 "Mriya" (Dream)
This giant needs even less introduction than the Boeing 747. The legendary An-225 is objectively recognized as the largest (wing span - almost 88.5 meters, total length - 84 meters, or 25 floors of a residential building) and heaviest (capable of lifting into the air from with a total weight of up to 640 tons) aircraft ever created by man.
The An-225 made its first flight in December 1988. Initially, it was supposed to be used to transport Buran spacecraft, but after the collapse of the USSR, the need for it disappeared. In the early 2000s, the Mriya was restored by combining the capabilities of several Ukrainian enterprises, and the only working copy of the An-225 is now operated by Ukraine for commercial purposes.
Characteristics and dimensions:
Length: 84 m
Wingspan: 88.4 m
Crew: 6 people.
Number of passengers: 88 people accompanying the cargo
Max. flight speed: 850 km/h
Flight range: 15400 km
Max. take-off weight: 640 t
The history of aviation in its modern sense goes back more than 100 years, if you do not take into account the attempts of man to fly into the air since ancient times. During this time, aircraft manufacturing has evolved from the first prototypes of the Wright brothers and other enthusiastic inventors to heavy-duty, multi-ton giants capable of carrying tons of cargo and hundreds of passengers. This article is about the 10 largest aircraft in the world.
The largest passenger aircraft in the world
The Airbus A380 holds the lead among the largest civil aircraft for transporting passengers. This is the brainchild of the European company Airbus. It first flew into the air with passengers in 2005 after 10 years of development and experimentation by designers.
Fact. The cost of creating the giant was almost 12 billion euros.
This expensive, but the largest passenger aircraft has the following dimensions:
- height – 24.08 m;
- length – 72.75 m;
- wingspan - 79.75 m;
- weight – 280 t.
Additional Information. Despite its impressive dimensions, the Airbus A380 is very economical and even environmentally friendly in operation - only three liters of fuel are consumed to transport one passenger over a distance of 100 kilometers. It can cover a distance of more than 15,400 meters without refueling. And the less fuel is spent, the less emissions into the atmosphere. This result was achieved thanks to the ideal design of the wing and fuselage, as well as the special material from which they are made. These engineering solutions significantly reduced total weight the vessel and improved its aerodynamics.
Today, double-decker Airbus A380s accommodate 525 passengers when divided into three classes and up to 853 people with a single-class cabin configuration. However, development and testing of improved versions of the aircraft are already underway, the capacity of which should exceed 1000 people.
The Airbus A380 unseated the Boeing 747, which had held its position as the largest aircraft since the 1970s. The A380 developers have found a way to reduce production costs by 15% compared to Boeing and increase capacity by 7%.
Second largest aircraft in the world
The already mentioned Boeing 747 (Jumbo Jet) ranks honorably second in size among passenger airliners. At the time of its creation in 1969, it was the largest, heaviest and most spacious aircraft, 70.6 m long.
For 36 years it was produced in various modifications, however, maintaining their main characteristics: a wide fuselage and two floors for passengers. This design gives the Jumbo Jet a recognizable hump-like silhouette, as the upper deck is significantly shorter than the lower deck.
Interesting. In the late 1960s, it was believed that the future of passenger aviation belonged to supersonic light aircraft that would displace the clumsy heavyweights. Therefore, the 747 was designed with the ability to be converted into a freighter. Experts estimated the capacity of the market for spacious aircraft at no more than 400 units, but these forecasts did not come true, and in 1993 the company sold its thousandth Boeing 747. Only in our century, with the advent of the Airbus A380, demand began to fall.
In the 1970s There was a fuel crisis in the world; prices for jet fuel skyrocketed, as did ticket prices. Companies that have a Boeing 747 in their fleet are faced with its unprofitability; the plane often flies empty. However, on particularly busy routes and on intercontinental flights, the Jumbo Jet has been and remains a popular model.
The longest passenger plane in the world
This is a record holder already from modern history aviation - Boeing 747-8, began production in 2008. It is a modification of the legendary Boeing 747, with significant modifications. The designers extended the fuselage as much as possible, redesigned the wing and worked on efficiency in operation.
The length of the Boeing 747-8 is 76.25 m, making it the longest passenger airliner in the world. However, it is also the heaviest US aircraft, its take-off weight is 447 tons, which is still considered a record in the entire history of aircraft manufacturing in America.
Characteristics:
- length – 76.25 m;
- height – 19.35 m;
- wingspan - 68.45 m.
In addition to cargo, this aircraft can accommodate up to 581 passengers.
The most "hardy" aircraft
For the successful operation of aircraft, in addition to capacity and payload capacity, it is important how far they can travel without refueling. Today, the record holder for long-distance flights is the Boeing 777, which is capable of flying half the circumference of the Earth at a time - 20,000 km. However, this is the maximum value of the flight length; in normal practice, the distance covered is 9000-17000 km.
Interesting. The Boeing 777E is the first modern airliner to be created using computer modeling instead of paper drawings. In the early 1990s. Such technologies have become a breakthrough in the aircraft industry, since 3D modeling makes it possible to eliminate errors in the joining of parts even at the design stage.
The Boeing 777 has different modifications depending on the fuselage length and range. 777-300ER is one of the most “hardy” and popular modifications. It is a large airliner with two turbofan engines. Maximum capacity – 550 people.
As a long-haul aircraft, the Boeing 777 can stay in the air for up to 18 hours without a break. However, there is a limitation on the duration of the crew’s work shift, so there are special places in the cabin for pilots and flight attendants to sleep and rest.
Leader in wing length
The Hughes H-4 Hercules entered the TOP 10 largest aircraft in the world due to its wing size. Despite the fact that this is the oldest aircraft described here, no one has yet been able to break its record: the span reaches 98 meters.
The plane took off for the first and last time in 1947; it has a sad history of creation. At the beginning of World War II, the American government commissioned the development of a military aircraft from Hughes Aircraft under the management of Howard Hughes. However, the search for a perfect solution took a long time. Hughes could not be satisfied with the result. In addition, there was a shortage of aluminum in the world. As a result, the war ended, but there was still no plane. Only two years after the end of hostilities, the Hughes H-4 Hercules made its first flight. Surprisingly, this device was made entirely of plywood and, in fact, was a flying boat.
Specifications:
- length – 66.45 m;
- height – 24.08 m;
- wingspan - 97.54 m;
- maximum take-off weight – 180 tons.
Interesting. This “boat” could transport 750 soldiers in full uniform to the battlefield. However, in reality, her flight was limited to two kilometers above Los Angeles. After which the plane remained in the personal property of G. Hughes, who until his death annually spent a lot of money on maintaining it in working condition. After the death of the designer, the giant was sent to a museum in California to attract tourists. The film The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is based on the life of engineer Howard Hughes.
Not long ago (May 31, 2017), the Hughes H-4 Hercules record for wingspan was surpassed: the Stratolaunch aircraft with a wingspan of 117 meters was presented to the world. However, it has not yet made a single flight, so Hughes’ brainchild is still the leader among the models in use.
The largest cargo plane in the world
This title belongs to the An-225, designed in the USSR at the Kiev Mechanical Development Plant, at the Design Bureau named after. O. K. Antonova. The Ukrainian name for the heavy-duty truck is “Mriya” (translated as “dream”). The first flight took place in 1988.
The impetus for the creation of Mriya was the Soviet space program Buran to develop a reusable transport spacecraft. To implement ambitious plans, an aircraft with an ultra-high payload capacity was required to participate in the cargo transportation of ship components. The designed aircraft had to lift at least 250 tons at a time and have attachments for transporting external cargo.
The designers took the An-124-100 (“Ruslan”) as a basis and changed some components and parts to obtain the necessary technical characteristics. This is how the largest transport aircraft An-225 appeared. Despite the fact that Mriya was created for very specific tasks, it has become a universal vessel in cargo aviation.
The cargo compartment is sealed and has the following dimensions:
- length – 43 m;
- height – 18.2 m;
- width – 6.4 m;
- wingspan - 88.4 m;
- weight – 250 tons.
The plane has space for 6 crew members and 88 people accompanying the cargo. The likelihood that the plane will fail during flight is extremely low - all important systems are duplicated 4 times.
While the Mriya has been created in a single copy, the winding down of the Buran program has also suspended the production of the heavyweight aircraft. It is known that the design bureau named after. Antonova continues to develop the second modification of the giant.
The largest military aircraft
The An-124 Ruslan, the prototype of the An-225, was at one time considered the largest aircraft in the world. It is now the largest military aircraft with a huge payload capacity. It has four turbojet engines, a wide fuselage and two decks. The lower one is for cargo, the upper one is for the crew (8 people) and accompanying people (up to 21 people). Cargo compartment volume – 1000 cubic meters. An-124 lifts 120 tons into the air.
Characteristics:
- length – 69.1 m;
- height – 21.08 m;
- wingspan - 73.3 m;
- weight – 178.4 tons;
- take-off weight - 392 tons.
"Ruslan" was also developed at the Design Bureau named after. O.K. Antonova, like “Mriya”. The purpose of its creation is to transport transcontinental ballistic missiles. However, the result of the work of Soviet designers exceeded expectations - the An-124 turned out to be a universal military aircraft that can transport large military equipment. “Ruslan” was mass-produced; a total of 56 copies were produced. In the early 2000s. There were attempts to resume its production by Ukraine and Russia, but due to the worsening political relations between the two countries, the project was curtailed.
The largest turboprop aircraft in the world
The An-22 was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960s, at the height of cold war" It was codenamed “product 100”. As a result, five years later the world saw this gigantic “product” called AN-22 “Antey”. This is the first Soviet and Russian aircraft with a wide fuselage. It is still considered the largest aircraft with a turboprop engine. The diameter of the propellers is 62 cm, and the power of each of the four engines is 11227 kW.
Characteristics:
- length – 57.31 m;
- height – 12.53 m;
- wingspan – 64.40 m;
- weight – 119 kg;
- load capacity – 60 tons.
"Antey" is capable of transporting heavy and large military equipment over long distances and is used for airborne landings.
The heaviest combat aircraft in history
The Tu-160 is a representative of a completely different generation of military aircraft. It flies at supersonic speed and is a strategic bomber. So far this is the largest and most powerful aircraft in Russia and the world in the history of military aviation.
The Tu-160 concept was born in the 1970-1980s. as a response of Russian strategists to the military developments of the United States and NATO. The future aircraft was supposed to fly to the neighboring continent and overcome enemy air defenses at supersonic speed.
Characteristics:
- length – 54.1 m;
- the wing is variable sweep, so the span is different: 55.7/50.7/35.6 m;
- height – 13.1 m;
- weight – 110 t.
- maximum take-off weight – 275 tons.
Most Tu-160 missile carriers are named after prominent figures in Russian aviation. As of 2017, our country Russia has 16 aircraft in service. There are plans to completely modernize them.
The largest mass-produced cargo aircraft
The “Largest Aircraft” selection is completed by the American cargo aircraft Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. Today it is the largest model among mass-produced cargo carriers. Since 1968, the aircraft has been successfully operated by the US Army, and regular upgrades allow it to be considered modern and promising.
Characteristics:
- aircraft length - 75.54 m;
- aircraft height – 19.85 m;
- wingspan - 67.88 m;
- weight – 169.6 tons.
- maximum take-off weight – 379.6 tons.
The aircraft can fly over 4 thousand kilometers at an altitude of 10 km without refueling. The maximum developed speed is 920 km.
The largest aircraft are milestones in the history of aviation. They demonstrate how engineering thought developed, what path the designers saw before them. As history shows, the most outstanding achievements in aircraft manufacturing are associated with military operations.
The plane itself is already a genius of engineering. Making hundreds of tons of iron rise above the ground is a non-trivial task. Even the smallest details matter, it takes the highest precision and the hard work of hundreds of people to create even the simplest aircraft by modern standards.
The greater the challenge for aircraft designers to experiment with materials, sizes, and technologies in order to create aircraft that are lighter, more economical, and larger than their predecessors. This article will focus on the largest passenger aircraft. Now in the world there are two main players producing huge passenger aircraft - Boeing and Airbus.
The competition between them led to the creation of colossal machines. Among them, the recognized leader is the Airbus A380. The span of its huge wings reaches almost 80 m, and its length is 73 m. Read about it, as well as other flying giants, below.
Airbus-A380
- Wingspan - 79.75 m
- Length - 72.75 m
- Height - 24.08 m
- Weight - 280 t
- Takeoff weight, max. - 560 t
- Number of engines - 4
- Passenger capacity, max. - 853 people
Production of this aircraft began in 2005 and was put into operation in 2007. Since that time, it has officially taken first place among passenger aircraft not only in size, but also in capacity, as well as in many other parameters. For example, for aircraft of this category it is the most economical. Its fuel consumption is only 3 liters per passenger per 100 km.
Such a huge plane would not be able to take off if it were built from traditional materials- it would simply be too heavy, and the lifting force of the wings would not be enough to lift it off the ground. Therefore, the main challenge for engineers and designers was the task of reducing its mass as much as possible.
The solution to this problem was made possible through the use of the latest composite materials, some of which were specially developed for this aircraft. For example, the central and main part of the wing (which itself weighs 11 tons!) consists of 40 percent carbon fiber. Laser technology was used to weld structural elements, which significantly increased the reliability of connections and reduced the number of fastening elements.
Among other things, the designers also took care of environmental friendliness. By reducing the amount of fuel consumed by 17% compared to the Boeing 747, they also achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions - they amount to 75 g per passenger per 1 km of travel.
Boeing 747
- Wingspan - 68.5 m
- Length - 76.3 m
- Height - 19.4 m
- Weight - 214.5 t
- Takeoff weight, max. - 442.2 t
- Number of engines - 4
- Passenger capacity, max. - 581 people
- Manufacturer - Boeing
The Boeing 747 held the lead among passenger aircraft for more than 36 years, from 1969 to 2005. The introduction of this aircraft into mass production in 1970 was a breakthrough because the construction of such a new model entailed a whole series of changes in the production process, technology, operational requirements and even in pilot training methods.
It was not originally planned to be released a large number of 747s, but when this model proved its reliability, many world airlines began to order it, because the volume of passenger traffic began to increase sharply, and it was profitable to maintain spacious aircraft. Currently, 1.5 thousand 747s fly in the world in companies such as British Airways, Korean Air, China Airlines. In Russia, the 747 is operated by the Rossiya company. She “inherited” five 747s from the collapsed Transaero company.
The 747 also holds significant records: in 1989, this particular aircraft, owned by the Australian Qantas Airways, made a direct flight to Sydney from the British capital, covering 18 thousand km in just over 20 hours. True, it was flying empty: without cargo or passengers. Another record is related to the number of passengers: in 1997, 1,112 people flew on it to Israel during the military Operation Solomon.
The 747 was also used to transport Space Shuttle spacecraft. For such transportation, space shuttles are mounted on the aircraft's back.
The most distinctive detail of the 747 is the “hump” on the fuselage. It was originally planned that the fuselage would be double-decker along its entire length, but this option had to be abandoned for technical reasons. Therefore, the second deck of this Boeing is short.
This superstructure was designed so that the bow of the ship could be modified into a cargo ramp, because the 747 was intended to be used primarily for cargo transportation.
There are 7 modifications of the Boeing 747, almost all of them have both passenger and cargo and cargo-passenger versions. It would not be a mistake to say that the 747 is one of the most common aircraft of this type in the world.
Airbus A340-600
- Wingspan - 63.45 m
- Length - 75.36 m
- Height - 17.22 m
- Weight - 177 t
- Takeoff weight, max. - 380 t
- Number of engines - 4
- Passenger capacity, max. - 419 people
- Manufacturer - Airbus S.A.S Concern
The Airbus S.A.S concern owns another giant aircraft. This is the Airbus A340-600, which, before the release of one of the Boeing 747 modifications, was the world's longest passenger aircraft.
Its commercial release began in 2002, but was stopped in 2011. Over 9 years, 97 aircraft of this modification were produced. 340-600 was created specifically for intercontinental flights. Its declared flight range is 14,600 km without refueling.
Boeing 777-300ER
- Wingspan - 64.8 m
- Length - 73.9 m
- Height - 18.7 m
- Weight - 166.9 t
- Takeoff weight, max. - 351.5 t
- Number of engines - 2
- Passenger capacity, max. - 365 people
- Manufacturer - Boeing
The letters ER in the name of the modification stand for Extended Range - increased range. It is capable of flying 14,690 km without refueling thanks to an increase in fuel reserve compared to the previous modification of the “three sevens”. This aircraft is the main competitor of the Airbus A340-600 and the best-selling 777 in the world. There are currently about 400 aircraft of this modification in operation around the world.
The aircraft of this model are powered by the world's most powerful turbofan jet engines, General Electric 90-115B, which provide a maximum thrust of 513 kN. The 300ER modification has reinforced structural elements compared to its predecessors: landing gear, tail, wings, as well as additional fuel tanks.
There are many aircraft models in the world, varying in size, technical specifications, purpose and other parameters, some can carry thousands of kilograms of payload, others only for one pilot.
Some of the aircraft presented below were significantly ahead of their time of construction and their colossal size led to their virtual inaccessibility for everyday use.
1. An-225 “Mriya”
The most load-bearing and largest aircraft in the world, the An-225, began to be developed in the Soviet Union in 1984, and the first experimental flight took place in 1988. Currently, there is only one copy of the aircraft, named "Mriya", operated by Antonov Airlines.
The cargo compartment of the An-225 can accommodate 50 passenger cars or cargo with a total weight of 250 tons. The fuselage length is 84 meters with a wingspan of just over 88 m. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 850 km/h, while the flight range is limited to 15.4 thousand kilometers.
2. Airbus A300-600ST “Beluga”
The Airbus A300-600ST cargo aircraft, which first flew in 1994, was produced in the amount of five copies. The aircraft is designed to transport cargo with large dimensions. The aircraft is 56 meters long and has a wingspan of just under 45 m.
With the vessel's own weight of 86 tons, it can lift up to 47 tons of payload. The speed of the Airbus A300-600ST reaches 750 km/h. The flight range does not exceed 4632 km when transporting 20 tons of cargo. Currently used to transport parts of other Airbus aircraft, including the A380.
3. Boeing 747-8I
Construction of the Boeing 747-8I passenger aircraft began in 2008, with the first flight tests taking place in 2009-2010. The aircraft became the longest passenger aircraft in the world. The length of its fuselage is 76.4 m, with a wingspan of 68.5 m. The aircraft can carry up to 605 passengers at a time. The maximum speed during flights reaches 102 km/h. Take-off weight is 448 tons. The maximum flight distance of the aircraft does not exceed 14.1 thousand kilometers.
4. Airbus A-380-800
The Airbus A-380-800 airliner, which made its first experimental flight in 2007, can carry 853 passengers. In the passenger air transportation market, the Boeing 747 has become the main competitor. With a maximum take-off weight of 575 tons, it has a length of just over 73 m, with a wingspan of 79.75 m. The cruising speed of the aircraft reaches 900 km/h, and the flight range is 15. 2 thousand km. In total, during operation in 2017, 215 aircraft were delivered to customers, with 317 units ordered.
5. An-124 “Ruslan”
Developed by Soviet aircraft designers, the An-124 made its first flight in 1982 and was adopted into service in the USSR in 1987. A total of 56 vehicles were produced. With a maximum take-off weight of 392 tons, the aircraft's flight range is 16,500 km. Maximum speed is 865 km/h. The wingspan reaches 73.3 m with a fuselage length of just over 69 meters. In 2006, a project was launched to restore the production of aircraft of this model, but it remained unrealized, despite interest from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
6. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
The American C-5 Galaxy aircraft first took to the skies in 1968. Over the entire period, 131 units were produced. In terms of carrying capacity, this is the third cargo aircraft, while both of its predecessors were presented by the OKB im. Antonov. Representing the aircraft for military transport purposes, it can carry up to 345 passengers or up to 210 tons of payload. The wingspan is almost 68 m, the fuselage length is 75.53 m. The maximum flight range is 11.7 thousand kilometers, at a speed of 922 km/h. A new modified version of the C-5M Super Galaxy is currently being produced.
7. Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 entered service with the US Air Force in 1955. The aircraft is an ultra-long-range strategic aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 220 tons. When there is no load, it is capable of covering a maximum distance of 16.2 thousand km. Over the entire history, 744 units were produced. The length of the aircraft is 48.5 m with a wingspan of 56.4 m. In flight, it can reach a maximum speed of 1047 km/h. The most common modification is the Boeing B-52H. Repeatedly used during nuclear tests.
8. An-22 “Antey”
The first flight of the An-22, a turboprop transport aircraft, took place in 1965, demonstrating excellent flight performance and capabilities for transport to long distances living military force and equipment. In just ten years of the project's existence, 68 units were created. The flight range was 8,500 kilometers, the maximum speed was 650 km/h. The length of the aircraft is 57.31 m, the wingspan is 64.4 m. The An-22 is in service with the Russian Defense Ministry. There were several modifications during production, including an amphibious aircraft and a nuclear-powered low-altitude aircraft.
9. Hughes H-4 Hercules
The Hughes H-4 Hercules seaplane, developed in 1946, also had impressive dimensions; it made its only experimental flight in 1947. It was assumed that the aircraft would carry out regular passenger transportation, accommodating up to 750 people. His wingspan until 2017, with an indicator of 97.54 m, was considered a record. The fuselage length was 66.45 meters. Distinctive feature What became of the aircraft was that its first prototype was made of wood. Conceived as a transatlantic seaplane, it never made it across the Atlantic.
10. ANT-20 “Maxim Gorky”
The Soviet passenger aircraft ANT-20 was built in 1934. As conceived by aircraft designers, it was developed as a propaganda aircraft. A total of two copies were built.
The wingspan was 63 meters, the fuselage length reached 33 meters. Without load, the aircraft's weight was 28.5 tons, the maximum cargo weight was 23.5 tons. The flight range was calculated at 1000-1200 kilometers. Cruising speed reached 275 km/h.
We will look at those airliners that occupy the first 5 places in the ranking of the largest aircraft in terms of size. Each of these aircraft became famous for one or another position.
This review article is from brief description each position and photographs will provide an opportunity to obtain reliable information on the issue of interest to you. If you have any other information or would like to express your opinion, please do so in the comments box located at the bottom of the page.
The site administration welcomes both positive and objective negative criticism.
TOP 5 largest aircraft in the world
1st place - An-225
Let's start our story with a review of the largest aircraft in every sense, which exists in a single copy in the world. The production of the airliner was so financially expensive that the aircraft plant was forced to stop its production.
An-225 is a joint Russian-Ukrainian brainchild, called Mriya. The aircraft was produced in 1988 as a cargo ship, which later became a military transport aircraft.
The An-225 has the most unimaginable parameters even for a large aircraft:
- height just over 24 m;
- length - 73 m;
- First of all, the wingspan is amazing, which is almost 88.5 m;
- a vessel weighing 250,000 kg is capable of flying with a maximum take-off weight of 600,000 kg.
There is information that production of the world's second An-225 has begun, but due to lack of funds, the air monster is only no more than 70% ready.
2nd place - Airbus A-380
The largest passenger aircraft is the Airbus A-380. This model of the airliner gained fame thanks to its belonging to one of the richest people in the world - to the Arabian oligarch Al Waleed bin Talal.
Unlike the An-225, the Airbus A-380 is a serial aircraft that has been actively put into production since 2005.
Interesting article:
The most expensive plane in the world
how much does it cost and who is the owner of the most luxurious airliner: how does the most expensive plane differ from a regular one and what does the price of a luxurious personal vehicle consist of?
The liner is available in two modifications:
- single-class configuration that can accommodate up to 850 passengers;
- three-class configuration, where 525 people can spend their time in the most comfortable way during the flight.
The large Airbus has impressive parameters:
- liner length - 73 m;
- vessel height - 24.1 m;
- the wingspan of the A-380 is almost 80 m;
- an aircraft weighing 280,000 kg can easily fly with a maximum take-off weight of 560,000 kg.
The aircraft has only one drawback: when taking to the skies and traveling around the world, it can cover a distance of no more than 15,400 km without refueling.
3rd place - Boeing 777-300ER
The next representative of the largest airliners in the world cannot be ignored. The Boeing 777-300ER was developed in 1990 and only entered service in 1995. The liner is capable of carrying up to 550 passengers at a time.
The aircraft is used by airlines for longer flights, because the Boeing 777-300ER has a record - the ability to fly the longest without refueling. The aircraft is capable of flying a distance of 21,600 km without additional landings.
Technical characteristics of the Boeing 777-300ER:
- the largest and very powerful engines are installed;
- length - 74 m;
- can accommodate the following number of passengers:
- modification with 3 classes - 368 people;
- configuration with 2 classes - 451 people;
- board with 1st class - 550 people.
- The wingspan is about 65 m.
4th place - Airbus A340-600
In 4th place is the longest passenger airliner, Airbus A340-600. The first flight of the large aircraft was made in 2001 and since then the Airbus A340-600 has been among the aircraft a considerable number of air carriers around the world.
Two possible options Modifications of the aircraft allow passengers to be transferred anywhere in the world:
- 2-class configuration - 419 passengers;
- 3-class - 380 people.
The Airbus A340-600 boasts a spacious cargo compartment with impressive volumes and the ability to fly up to 14,600 km without refueling.
The technical characteristics of the aircraft include the following:
- length - a little more than 75m;
- wingspan is about 64 m;
- height is slightly less than 17.5 m.
5th place - Boeing 747
In fifth, but no less honorable place, is the Boeing 747, which for almost 40 years was considered the largest and most spacious passenger aircraft. But since the Airbus A380 appeared in the world, its leading position has fallen sharply. In 2005, the Boeing 747 lost its lead.
The largest modification is the Boeing 747-400. Distinctive feature The liner can be called the presence on board of two decks to accommodate passengers. Decks have different sizes, the upper one is much smaller than the lower one. This is the first double-deck aircraft in the world capable of flying long distances.
We can say with confidence that the Boeing 747 is the most common aircraft among air carriers. Large airlines actively use it for flights. One of these Boeings holds a record: a distance of 18,000 km (London-Sydney) was covered in just 20 hours and 9 minutes, including the time of takeoff and landing.
Interesting information about the aircraft:
- length about 71 m;
- width almost 64.5 m;
- height as much as 19.4 m;
- number of passengers:
- modification with 3 classes - 416 people;
- 2-class configuration - 524 people.
On a note:
First class on an airplane
What makes first class on board an airliner luxurious and as comfortable as possible? Why do we so rarely hear from our friends about first category flights?
Economy class on the plane
Why are flights in the economy zone attractive for the vast majority of tourists? What inconveniences can flying in such an area cause? How can you most comfortably spend time in the most accessible class?
Business class on the plane
Is it worth paying extra for flights in the business zone? The main differences between business and economy class. Which category of tourists should be given preference when purchasing air tickets in the category with business services?