7 largest passenger planes

Facts

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

In 1913, the world's first passenger aircraft, designed by the legendary aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky, took off. It was equipped with an insulated passenger compartment and even had a toilet. Who would have known that such an unusual idea of ​​Aviation would become prophetic. Today, modern passenger aircraft models boldly plow the air, comfortably carrying thousands of passengers a day over incredible distances. Next, we will focus on the 'monsters' of the aviation world: your attention is the top 7 largest passenger aircraft on the planet.

The largest passenger planes

Nomination a place aircraft features rating
The largest passenger planes 7 Tupolev ANT-20 ('Maxim Gorky') THE BIGGEST AIRLINER OF THE TIME 4.4
6 Tu-114 THE LARGEST TURBOPROP AIRLINER _ 4.5
5 IL-96-400 THE BIGGEST IN THE USSR AND RUSSIA 4.6
4 Boeing-747-8I THE LONGEST AIRLINE _ 4.7
3 Airbus A340-600 SECOND LONGEST IN THE WORLD 4.8
2 Boeing 777-300ER LARGEST TWO-ENGINE AIRLINER _ 4.9
1 Airbus A-380-800 THE LARGEST BY PASSENGER CAPACITY 5.0

Tupolev ANT-20 ('Maxim Gorky') – the largest airliner of its time

Rating: 4.4

Tupolev ANT-20 ('Maxim Gorky')

  1. Number of passengers: 60-70 people
  2. Length: 33 m
  3. Wingspan: 63 m
  4. Flight range: 1000 km

The concept was conceived as a tribute to the great Soviet writer Maxim Gorky, and the release is timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of his creative activity. A real giant of that time with an incredible wingspan and 8 engines, the airliner successfully passed a test flight in 1934 and just a couple of days later was presented to the residents of the capital, cutting through the air in the sky over Red Square.

Not only the size of the aircraft at that time, but also its internal content was noted: in the wings of the ANT-20 there were places for sleeping, and in the cabin there was a printing house and even a library. Initially, Tupolev was supposed to be widely used, from air broadcasting to recreational passenger flights. Unfortunately, these plans were not destined to come true – the unique model never entered mass production. In May 1935, the only existing copy was wrecked: the crew and all passengers (35 people) on board were killed.

Tu-114 – the largest turboprop airliner

Rating: 4.5

Tu-114 - the largest turboprop airliner

  1. Number of passengers: 220 people
  2. Length: 54.1 m
  3. Wingspan: 51.1 m
  4. Flight range: 9720 km

A unique Soviet-made turboprop aircraft can rightfully be called a very successful model. This airliner could have a brilliant future if it had not fallen into the era of the development of a new branch of aviation – jet aircraft. They were able to very quickly displace their turboprop counterparts, which is not surprising, because the latter were significantly inferior to them in speed. After completing its first flight in 1961, the Tu-114 regularly performed its task for a short 16 years, after which it was discontinued.

Despite its short service life, the bird managed to show its sharp beak: Soviet pilots set as many as 32 records for flight range, carrying capacity and number of passengers carried on this largest turboprop aircraft in the world. Of all the used copies of the Tu-114, only one crashed (at the Sheremetyevo airport in 1966).

IL-96-400 – the largest in the USSR and Russia

Rating: 4.6

IL-96-400 - the largest in the USSR and Russia

  1. Number of passengers: 435 people
  2. Length: 63.9 m
  3. Wingspan: 60.1 m
  4. Flight range: 13000 km

Although this model of a passenger liner is not used as actively as a couple of decades ago, it would be wrong to keep silent about it. A real achievement, the 'pearl' of Soviet aircraft designers, the Il-96 was considered the largest airliner in the Soviet Union and is still considered the largest in Russia.

The first example of this impressive aircraft took off in 1988 and has been modified several times since then. The rating presents the brightest version of the Soviet airliner, which achieved the maximum result possible for its category.

The Il-96 is unique in one important fact: its models in the entire history of its existence have not suffered a single major accident. One of the IL-96-400 boards is unofficially called the “first airliner of the country”. It is a member of the Rossiya squadron and is used as the main aircraft for the country's president's air travel.

Boeing-747-8I – the longest airliner

Rating: 4.7

BOEING-747-8I - THE LONGEST AIRLINER _

  1. Number of passengers: 605 people (single-class configuration)
  2. Length: 76.4 m
  3. Wingspan: 68.5 m
  4. Flight range: 14100 km

Every passenger of an airliner has seen this model of an aircraft at least once in his life. From the moment of its first flight (1969) until the onset of 2006, when the largest passenger aircraft (Airbus A380) was born, it was the 747th Boeing that was considered the 'giant' of passenger aviation.

During the entire existence of the American model of the aircraft, several modifications were presented to the world. Boeing 474-400 became one of the most recognizable and widespread. The variety is so popular that it was acquired for the purpose of civil transportation by 60 countries of the world.

In 1991, an American-made plane set a record for the number of passengers on board: as a result of the ongoing combat operation to transport Ethiopian Jews to Israel, the airliner delivered as many as 1,112 passengers to its destination. The 747-8I modification is considered the longest 'iron bird' not only among Boeing aircraft, but among all existing passenger models in the world.

Airbus A340-600 – the second longest in the world

Rating: 4.8

Airbus A340-600 - the second longest in the world

  1. Number of passengers: 475 people
  2. Length: 73.3 m
  3. Wingspan: 63.5 m
  4. Flight range: 16670 km

One of the most popular Airbus aircraft modifications and one of the largest in the world. The long-haul airliner has shown unique flight range results: this 'monster' is able to fly over 16,600 km without landing for refueling. Before commissioning, the Boeing 747-8 was considered the longest in the world.

It would seem that the fate of such a powerful and practical aircraft should be successful and very promising, but in reality it turned out differently: this model lost dry to the brainchild of the Boeing concern, when in just a couple of years (2009-2010) the level of aircraft sales dropped to almost zero. And in 2011, the company stopped producing the model.

In total, 370 aircraft units were produced from 1991 to 2011. The remaining 'in service' examples are actively operated by several European trans-main carriers, including Lufthansa and Airfrance.

Boeing 777-300ER is the largest twin-engine airliner

Rating: 4.9

Boeing 777-300ER

  1. Number of passengers: 365 people
  2. Length: 73.9 m
  3. Wingspan: 64.8 m
  4. Flight range: 21,600 km

Over the past quarter century, more than 1,500 ultra-modern wide-body airliners have rolled off the Boeing assembly line. The unique airliner surpassed the 340th Airbus in flight range, increasing this figure by as much as 5000 km. The aircraft model is unique in its design features: in its production, a twin-engine power plant is used instead of a four-engine one. Thus, the Boeing 777-300ER became the world's largest passenger aircraft operating on a twin-engine turbofan system.

The thrust of the aircraft ranges from 330 to 470 kN (it all depends on the modification and model manufacturer). From an economic point of view, this airliner, perhaps, can be called the most profitable option among all on the market. And this fully confirms the level of sales of Boeing 777-300ER, which, since 1995, have never dropped. As of 2019, the number of copies ordered exceeds the actual offer. Today this model is most actively used by North American and Asian air carriers.

Airbus A-380-800 – the largest in terms of passenger capacity

Rating: 5.0

Airbus A-380-800 - the largest in terms of passenger capacity

  1. Number of passengers: 853 people (single-class configuration)
  2. Length: 73.1 m
  3. Wingspan: 79.75 m
  4. Flight range: 15 200 km

The largest commercial aircraft in the world. It was developed by a well-known European concern and immediately after the first flight made a splash, taking the lead from the then world favorite, the Boeing-747 aircraft.

The model was developed in 2007 and since then has been used more actively than any other aircraft in passenger aviation. Despite the impressive dimensions of the aircraft, its real weight is not so transcendental: when creating the aircraft, all design features were taken into account and, in order to reduce the weight of the model, they decided to use composite materials for its manufacture.

A distinctive feature of the airliner is not only its double-deck structure, but also the ability to fly an enormous distance without refueling – about 15,000 km. It will not be superfluous to note the incredible economy of this 'giant' in comparison with models of a similar class: fuel consumption per 100 km is only 3 liters.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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