{"id":96946,"date":"2025-06-14T21:41:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T16:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=96946"},"modified":"2025-06-14T21:41:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T16:11:18","slug":"top-10-largest-cargo-planes-in-the-world-ever-built","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/14\/top-10-largest-cargo-planes-in-the-world-ever-built\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Largest Cargo Planes in the World Ever Built"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Antonov An-225 Mriya<\/a>, once based at Hostomel Airport, held the title of the world\u2019s largest cargo aircraft until its destruction in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air cargo, dominated by aircraft like the Boeing 747-8F<\/a> and Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, handles 35% of global trade value, often operating through key hubs like Leipzig\/Halle Airport (LEJ) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Top
Photo By: Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Largest Cargo Planes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The global air cargo industry depends on a fleet of high-capacity transport planes designed to move oversized and heavy payloads across continents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These aircraft are essential for delivering critical supplies, supporting military operations, and enabling aerospace manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Cold War era giants like the Antonov An-124 Condor to modern freighters such as the Boeing 747-8F, each model represents a milestone in aviation engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is the list of the top 10 largest cargo planes in the world:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rank<\/th>Aircraft Model<\/th>Length (m)<\/th>Max Capacity (kg)<\/th>Origin<\/th>Type<\/th>Status<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1.<\/td>Antonov An-225 Mriya<\/td>84<\/td>250,000+<\/td>Soviet Union (Antonov)<\/td>Commercial\/Military<\/td>Destroyed (2022)<\/td><\/tr>
2.<\/td>Antonov An-124 Ruslan<\/td>69.1<\/td>150,000<\/td>Soviet Union (Antonov)<\/td>Military\/Commercial<\/td>In Service<\/td><\/tr>
3.<\/td>Boeing 747-8 Freighter<\/td>76.3<\/td>132,600<\/td>USA (Boeing)<\/td>Commercial<\/td>In Service<\/td><\/tr>
4.<\/td>Lockheed C-5 Galaxy<\/td>75<\/td>127,459<\/td>USA (Lockheed Martin)<\/td>Military<\/td>In Service<\/td><\/tr>
5.<\/td>Airbus BelugaXL<\/td>63.1<\/td>50,500<\/td>EU (Airbus)<\/td>Commercial<\/td>In Service<\/td><\/tr>
6.<\/td>Airbus A300-600ST Beluga<\/td>56.15<\/td>47,000<\/td>EU (Airbus)<\/td>Commercial<\/td>Limited Service<\/td><\/tr>
7.<\/td>Antonov An-22 Antei<\/td>57.92<\/td>80,000<\/td>Soviet Union (Antonov)<\/td>Military<\/td>Operational (Limited)<\/td><\/tr>
8.<\/td>Boeing 747 Dreamlifter<\/td>76.3<\/td>113,400<\/td>USA (Boeing)<\/td>Commercial<\/td>In Service<\/td><\/tr>
9.<\/td>Boeing C-17 Globemaster III<\/td>53<\/td>77,519<\/td>USA (Boeing)<\/td>Military<\/td>In Service<\/td><\/tr>
10.<\/td>Airbus A400M Atlas<\/td>45.1<\/td>37,000<\/td>EU (Airbus)<\/td>Military<\/td>In Service<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each of these aircraft is purpose-built for transporting heavy or outsized loads. The An-225, for instance, could carry over 250 tonnes, dwarfing conventional cargo planes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the BelugaXL and Dreamlifter were designed to transport aircraft components between production facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Top
Credits to Wikicommons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Antonov An-225 Mriya<\/h2>\n\n\n\n