The world’s biggest passenger planes are decreasing in number. The pandemic pause in the early 2020s gave airlines an opportunity to phase out older and less efficient aircraft, with many retiring iconic jets like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747.
Nevertheless, some of both types are still around, as are many other large passenger jets. Here are the top 10 biggest commercial aircraft in the world in 2025, based on how many passengers they can accommodate.
As airlines can configure their aircraft differently, we’ve used the exit limit to calculate the largest capacity airplanes. The exit limit is the maximum number of passengers the aircraft is certified to safely evacuate in 90 seconds (using only half of the available exits).
It would be unusual to find a widebody aircraft in service operating at its maximum exit limit (although Cebu Pacific comes close with its 459-seat A330-900). Still, it’s a decent measure of usable capacity.
We count down the top 10, starting with the smallest of the big jets and working up to the largest.
10. Boeing 787-10
Exit limit: 440
Boeing 787-10 specifications | |
Typical seating | 2-class: 330 (32 business, 298 economy) |
Length | 224 ft (68.28 m) |
Wingspan | 197 ft 3 in (60.12 m) |
Range | 6,330 nmi (11,720 km; 7,280 mi) |
Designed to compete with the Airbus A330 family and replace older, less efficient Boeings like the 767, the 787 Dreamliner took its first flight in December 2009. It received its type certification in August 2011 and entered revenue service with ANA in October that year.
The first Dreamliner was the 787-8, the baby of the family, which was 56.7m long and an exit limit of 381. Two years later, the 787-9 arrived with a length of 62.81m. It has an exit limit of 420 passengers.
Finally, in March 2017, the longest member of the family arrived, the 787-10. With a fuselage 68.28m long, it has an exit limit of 440 passengers. However, most airlines fly with at least two classes on board, which could reduce the overall passenger capacity to around 330 in two classes and 300 or less in three or more classes.
9. Airbus A350-900
Exit limit: 440
Airbus A350-900 specifications | |
Typical seating | 2-class: 315 (48 business, 267 economy) |
Length | 219.2 ft (66.8 m) |
Wingspan | 212 ft 5 in (67.75 m) |
Range | 8,300 nmi (15,372 km; 9,600 mi) |
The Airbus A350 is a long-haul passenger aircraft with a range of up to 15,000 km. Within the market, it competes with the 777 series, as well as the new Boeing 777X. Singapore Airlines is the largest operator of A350-900 aircraft; other primary users include Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Air France.
The A350-900 entered service with Qatar Airways in January 2015. Three years later, Qatar was the launch customer again, this time for the bigger brother – the A350-1000 (which features later in this countdown). The airline has had its ups and downs with Airbus and a dispute over paint but is tipped to be mulling a further order for the type, although it hasn’t been locked in yet.
In 2018, Singapore Airlines took delivery of the first A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range). Airbus increased the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) through various measures – systems refinements, landing gear improvements, material optimization – which allows it to carry more fuel in its existing tanks. This gives it a staggering range of 9,700 nmi (17,964 km), or around 19 hours of flying time. Singapore Airlines operates this variant on the world’s longest route, although with a light load of passengers – just 161.
As of December 2024, the A350 family has received 1,345 firm orders, with 628 aircraft delivered. The A350-900 is by far the most popular, representing 85% of the in-service fleet.
8. Airbus A330-300
Exit limit: 440
Airbus A330-300 specifications | |
Typical seating | 2-class: 300 (36 business, 264 economy) |
Length | 193 ft (58.82 m) |
Wingspan | 198 ft (60.3 m) |
Range | 6,340 nmi (11,750 km; 7,300 mi) |
Airbus A330-300 is a widebody aircraft that entered service on November 2, 1992. The largest of the twin-engined A330s, it was designed to replace the Airbus A300.
Its exit limit is 440 passengers, although most airlines typically configure it with 250-290 seats. Some of its primary users include Turkish Airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.
The A330 was designed alongside the A340 and shares many of its characteristics. However, the A330 has two main landing gear legs instead of three and a shorter fuselage length.
The last A330-300 was delivered in October 2022, with ALTAVAIR taking the last of the unclaimed airframes originally destined for the troubled HNA Group. The carrier intends to have Elbe Flugzeugwerke convert it to a freighter. Airbus had a few dormant orders on its books after this but cleared them out in its December 2023 update.
The A330neo has effectively superseded the A330ceo, although production of the ceo continues at a low rate with the A330-200-based MRTT. However, Airbus has hinted at transitioning the MRTT to a neo-based platform at some point in the future.
7. Airbus A340-300/600
Exit Limit: 440
Airbus A340-600 specifications | |
Typical seating | 3-class: 380 (12 first, 54 business, 314 economy) |
Length | 247 ft 3 in (75.36 m) |
Wingspan | 208 ft 2 in (63.45 m) |
Range | 7,800 nmi (14,450 km; 8,980 mi) |
The iconic Airbus A340 is becoming a rare passenger jet today, with less than 70 still in commercial service. The -300 and -600 were the better-selling models, with the -200 and -500 selling only 28 and 34, respectively.
Both the A340-300 and -600 have an exit limit of 440, although the -300 requires four Type A doors and a nine-abreast configuration to apply this.
The A340-600 was the world’s longest airliner until the arrival of the Boeing 747-8 in 2010. Production of the type ended in 2012, although it is still in use with some well-known airlines, including Lufthansa, Edelweiss and SWISS.
6. Airbus A330-900
Exit limit: 460
Airbus A330-900 specifications | |
Typical seating | 3-class: 310 (30 business, 64 premium, 216 economy) |
Length | 208 ft 11 in (63.66 m) |
Wingspan | 201 ft (64 m) |
Range | 7,200 nmi (13,334 km; 8,300 mi) |
The A330neo is the successor to the popular A330ceos, with two variants (-800 and -900) based on the two original ceo variants (-200 and -300). The -900 is the larger version and took its first flight in October 2017, gaining certification in November 2018.
TAP Air Portugal was the launch customer, taking delivery of the world’s first A330-900 on November 26, 2018. It entered commercial service the next month, flying from Lisbon to Sao Paulo.
The A330-900 is advertised as having a 12% fuel burn advantage over the original ceo variants, delivered by larger, more efficient engines, as well as various aero optimization measures such as sharklets.
As of December 2024, the A330neo family has received 371 orders, with 145 aircraft delivered. The vast majority of the orders are for the -900, with just 12 for the smaller -800 version. Just seven -800s have been delivered so far.
The largest operator of the -900 is Delta Air Lines, with 31 in its fleet. TAP has 19, Condor has 17, and ITA Airways has 11. Airlines with substantial orders awaiting delivery include Cathay Pacific, VietJet, and AirAsiaX.
5. Airbus A350-1000
Exit limit: 480
Airbus A350-1000 specifications | |
Typical seating | 2-class: 369 (54 business, 315 economy) |
Length | 242 ft (73.79 m) |
Wingspan | 212 ft 5 in (64.75 m) |
Range | 8,900 nmi (16,500 km; 10,200 mi) |
Airbus had been planning a stretch of the A350 since 2011, but it was November 2017 before the aircraft got its EASA and FAA certification. Qatar Airways took delivery of the first in February 2018 and put it into commercial service four days later on its Doha to London Heathrow route.
At just under 74 m long, the A350 is the biggest aircraft Airbus is building today. It’s 11 frames longer than its little sister, the A350-900, and has a slightly larger wing. It also has a six-wheel bogie rather than four on the -900 and various engineering upgrades to maintain a world-beating range in the larger airframe.
To date, 1,345 of the A350 family have been ordered, with 302 of those the larger -1000. As of the end of November 2024, 628 of the family have been delivered, 90 of which are the -1000.
Qatar Airways retains the largest fleet of the type, with 24 in service. Other major operators include British Airways, which has 18 active; Cathay Pacific, which has 18; and Virgin Atlantic, which has 12. Delta is set to fly a fleet of 40, although it hasn’t received any yet, and Korean, Air India, and Qantas are also expecting deliveries of the type.
4. Boeing 777-300ER
Exit limit: 550
Boeing 777-300ER specifications | |
Typical seating | 3-class: 365 (22 first, 70 business, 273 economy) |
Length | 242 ft 4 in (73.86 m) |
Wingspan | 212 ft 7 in (64.80 m) |
Range | 7,370 nmi (13,649 km; 8,480 mi) |
The Triple Seven has been a mainstay of long-haul flying since its introduction in 1993. Originally produced as the 777-200, it had its range extended for the -200ER in 1997, and then the fuselage stretched for the 777-300 in 1998.
The extended range -300, known as the 777-300ER, was introduced in 2004 with a higher MTOW, allowing for an impressive exit limit of up to 550 passengers. This version also has extended raked wingtips, a modified landing gear, and a strengthened fuselage.
The production line for the 777-300ER remains open, but Boeing is working hard on its successor, the 777X. As such, airlines that might have ordered more -300ERs have moved over to the 777-9 and are waiting for that aircraft to arrive.
The -300ER has been a huge success, significantly outselling every other variant in the Triple Seven family. All in, 832 have been built and delivered, almost double the 422 of the next most popular model, the 777-200ER.
Emirates has a huge fleet of 777-300ER, with 124 in service as of December 2024. Qatar Airways, Air France and Cathay all have significant fleets of more than 40 units, but dozens of international airlines have the ER in their fleets.
3. Boeing 747-8
Exit limit: 605
Boeing 747-8 specifications | |
Typical seating | 3-class: 467 (24 first, 87 business, 356 economy) |
Length | 250 ft 2 in (76.25 m) |
Wingspan | 224 ft 7 in (68.5 m) |
Range | 7,730 nmi (14,320 km; 8,900 mi) |
The Boeing 747-8 is the last in a long line of game-changing double-decker aircraft. Following the success of the 747-400, Boeing wanted to make an even larger aircraft to compete with the Airbus A380. Originally called the 747 Advanced, the 747-8 was officially launched in 2005.
Lufthansa was the first airline to order the 747-8 in 2006, followed by Korean Air and Air China. In 2011, the last order for a passenger version of the 747-8 was received for the US President’s ‘Air Force One,’ which is suffering production delays.
Boeing delivered the final 747 in January 2023, with cargo giant Atlas Air taking the last off the production line. Between the 747-8F and the 747-8I, Boeing sold 155 aircraft, just 48 of which were passenger jets.
Only three airlines fly the 747-8 with passengers on board – Lufthansa (19), Korean Air (7) and Air China (7). With these planes being pretty new, they’re likely to be around for a while yet.
2. Boeing 747-400
Exit limit: 660
Boeing 747-400 specifications | |
Typical seating | 3-class: 416 (23 first, 78 business, 315 economy) |
Length | 231 ft 10 in (70.7 m) |
Wingspan | 211 ft 5 in (64.4 m) |
Range | 7,285–7,670 nmi (13,492–14,205 km; 8,383–8,826 mi) |
The Boeing 747-400 is a passenger aircraft manufactured by Boeing in the US, with a capacity to accommodate up to 416 passengers in a three-class configuration, 524 in a two-class configuration, or 660 in an all-economy cabin. It has a travel range of 7,260 nautical miles or 13,446 kilometers.
The 747-400 was a major development of the 747 series, with several structural and electronic improvements, and it made its inaugural flight on April 29, 1988. It flourished in the international market, making travel cheaper and more accessible to everyone.
As well as a successful passenger jet, the Queen of the Skies was also a great freighter. Of the 694 built, 227 were built for freight. Conversely to the passenger version, 218 cargo 747-400s are still flying, with major operators including Atlas Air, Kalitta, and Cargolux.
The passenger 747 was wildly popular, with 467 delivered and in service with airlines. But in recent years, the disappearance of the 747-400 has been rapid.
The pandemic in 2020 caused several airlines to accelerate their retirement plans and saw the loss of the 747 in some of the world’s most iconic fleets – British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, for example.
The biggest operator today is Lufthansa with eight Queens in its fleet. Rossiya has five, and just two remain with Air China. Saudia keeps a couple in reserve for Hajj flights, and Iran’s Mahan Air has two, but the 747-400 is becoming a rare bird these days.
1. Airbus A380-800
Exit limit: 853
Airbus A380 specifications | |
Typical seating | 3-class: 489 (14 first, 76 business, 399 economy) |
Length | 238 ft 7 in (72.72 m) |
Wingspan | 261 ft 8 in (79.75 m) |
Range | 8,000 nmi (14,800 km; 9,200 mi) |
The Airbus A380 is a feat of engineering. The full double-decker aircraft was designed to revolutionize long-haul travel and alleviate pressures on airports nearing capacity. It first flew in 2005, and entered service with Singapore Airlines in October 2007.
Unfortunately for Airbus, the A380 was some years late and had two engines too many for the climate it arrived in. The sway from traditional hub-and-spoke to more point-to-point operations was already happening, and airlines were beginning to prefer more nimble, efficient aircraft that could trump capacity with frequency. Airbus ended production in 2021.
As much as passengers love the comfort and smooth ride offered by the superjumbo, airlines struggled to fill it and found the limitations on the airports that could receive it to be constricting. Consequently, no airline really invested in the A380 in a way that would transform their business model. No airline, apart from one.
Emirates has long been the biggest champion of this massive airliner, taking delivery of 123 in total. Seven have already been retired, but the airline still maintains an enormous fleet of 116 of the type. It’s part way through a mammoth refurbishment program, which will see the fleet flying well into the next decade.
Like the 747, the A380 suffered due to the pandemic downturn. It was the first type to be grounded around the world and the last to return, with many airlines saying they would never bring it back at all. While some did, indeed, see their last days of flying in 2020, a surprising number have (in some cases sheepishly) been returned to service, including:
- Lufthansa – 6 (2 parked)
- Singapore Airlines – 12 (3 parked)
- Qantas – 10 (3 parked)
- Korean Air – 7 (3 parked)
- British Airways – 12 (1 parked)
- Qatar Airways – 8 (2 parked)
- Asiana Airlines – 6
- ANA – 3
Although the huge size and the four engines of the Airbus A380 make it ripe for inefficiency, when it flies full, it’s actually very competitive on a fuel burn per seat basis. Operators realize this, and position these giant aircraft on the most popular routes where they know they can sell most of the seats.
Some current operators, like Qatar Airways, are planning to phase out the A380 once new big jets arrive. Others, like ANA, use the superjumbo for specific routes and aren’t likely to retire them anytime soon. Despite everything, the amazing Airbus A380 is here to stay for some years, even if it is, one day, only in Emirates livery.