Top biggest planes in the world ever

A more technical and meaningful way to measure an aircraft’s size is the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). Experts and regulators in the industry often use this term when discussing aircraft size. The MTOW indicates the maximum permissible weight of an aircraft when it takes off due to structural or other limitations. It includes everything on board, such as fuel, passengers, cargo, and the aircraft.

This measurement is more meaningful than mere dimensions. It gives us a real sense of what an aircraft can handle and perform. A gigantic aircraft with minimal fuel and payload may look huge, but it weighs less than a smaller aircraft packed to the brim.

5 Top biggest planes in the world ever

1. Antonov An-225 Mriya

This aircraft is in a class of its own. The name “Mriya” means “dream” in Ukrainian. And frankly, it’s fitting for something that looks like it came out of a wild aviation fantasy. It is the largest aircraft in the world, with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 1,410,958 pounds (640 tons). The Antonov Design Bureau built it in the 1980s in Ukraine and originally used it to transport the Buran space plane, the Soviet version of the Space Shuttle.

This giant has some cool features. The twin-tail design provides stability when transporting something the size of a small building. With its six turbofan engines and a wingspan of 290 feet, the giant needs 32 wheels for takeoff and landing.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the only completed An-225 remained unused for years. The Ukrainian airline Antonov Airlines finally converted it for commercial cargo transportation. The Mriya has a real talent for carrying super-heavy loads, up to 550,000 pounds (250,000 kilograms).

That’s why this aircraft is often a celebrity in its own right.
Until its destruction in February 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was often used to transport heavy loads or for humanitarian aid deliveries. However, plans are underway to rebuild the aircraft and build a second An-225.

2. Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch is anything but your average airplane. With a breathtaking wingspan of 385 feet (117 meters), it is the largest aircraft ever to have flown. As one of the largest aircraft in operation, it even surpasses Howard Hughes’ famous Spruce Goose seaplane, which had a wingspan of 321 feet.

But what sets it apart is its mission. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M .It’s not about ferrying passengers or cargo between places on Earth. It’s a mothership designed to launch vehicles from the air.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen had the idea for Stratolaunch, which he founded and financed until his death in 2018. The new owners have reorganized Stratolaunch to focus on hypersonic flight tests rather than orbital launches. Six Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines salvaged from retired 747 aircraft power this behemoth, which has a maximum takeoff weight of 1.3 million pounds.

This enables it to lift a 550,000-pound payload mounted on the wing between the two fuselages during takeoff. The aircraft is designed to fly to an altitude of 35,000 feet before releasing its rocket payload. While the original goal of launching payloads into orbit is on hold, the aircraft could soon take to the skies again as a unique test bed for hypersonic vehicles.

3. Airbus A380

Known as the superjumbo, this airliner holds a special place in aviation history as the largest passenger aircraft ever built. Airbus developed the A380 to enter the market for ultra-long-haul flights. The European company wanted to challenge Boeing’s monopoly with its 747 jumbo jet.

Due to its sheer size, this quad jet’s maximum takeoff weight is 575 tons (~1,268,000 pounds). Its full-length double-decker (the first in the industry) can accommodate more than 800 passengers in a high-density configuration, typically over 500 seats. The A380 entered service with much fanfare. Many saw it as a game changer that would revolutionize long-haul air travel, being able to carry so many passengers while operating efficiently.

However, market trends have shifted in recent years, and the industry has begun to focus on efficiency. Airlines favored more efficient twin-engine aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, for long-haul flights. However, the superjumbo’s four engines make it costly to operate and maintain.

As a result, the A380 program was discontinued relatively early. Production was discontinued, and the airlines began phasing out their fleets. The A380 will not only be remembered for its size. It has also taught the industry how complex it is to meet the demands of modern air travel.

4. Caspian Sea Monster

We are not sure whether this vehicle can be called an aircraft. The International Maritime Organization classifies these “Ekranoplans” as ships, yet they are airworthy.

This Soviet-era creation was a unique hybrid. It was a mixture of a boat and an aeroplane. It was a ground-effect vehicle. It flew at low altitudes over water and used the ground effect to stay airborne and reach high speeds. This behemoth was designed to glide over the sea’s surface, combining speed and stealth. Its task was particular: to attack NATO nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.

For this purpose, it was equipped with six missile launchers and two bomb bays and had a maximum takeoff weight of 380 tons. Only one was built before the program was canceled. With eight massive Kuznetsov turboprop engines, it could reach speeds of over 340 mph.

In 1980, the only prototype crashed during a test flight and sank in the Caspian Sea, from which it derived its nickname. The design philosophy of the Ekranoplan lived on and evolved into the Lun-class Ekranoplan.

5. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy strategic transport aircraft is a huge cargo aircraft used by the US Air Force to transport heavy equipment worldwide. The C-5 has a length of over 247 feet and a wingspan of almost 223 feet. The latest C-5M model can carry a maximum takeoff weight of 840,000 pounds.

With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 840,000 pounds (~381 tons), this giant often struggles to fit under most hangars. The cargo area is so spacious that the C-5 can swallow tanks, helicopters, and Lorries.

Thanks to its four turbofan engines, it has a range of about 5,500 miles with a payload of 120,000 pounds. With aerial refueling, its range is virtually unlimited. Its ability to carry massive payloads quickly over intercontinental distances is invaluable. The folding nose at the front allows cargo to be loaded and unloaded from both sides.

However, the development of the C-5 did not go smoothly. The project encountered several technical problems and cost overruns. Despite some development problems, the C-5 has been a workhorse for the US military since its service in 1969. It supported missions in Vietnam, the Gulf War, and other conflicts.