These Are The Biggest Planes Ever Made

Planes have been in the news a lot lately. Whether they're falling apart in the sky, getting their seats shrunk down in the pursuit of profits or running into each other on runways, planes have had a rough 2024, and it's only February. Because of that, we decided to take a look at one of the positives of planes: just how goddamn big they are.

That's why we here at the car website decided to compile a list of the largest planes to ever take to the skies, even if that journey was rather brief. We had a handful of options when it came to sorting, but eventually, we settled on the planes' maximum takeoff weight. That's probably a good signifier of bigness, wouldn't you say?

We've got all manner of flying thing here, from regular passenger jets and cargo carriers to one-off experimental aircraft and bombers. It's a very neat list, if I do say so myself. Happy clicking, flyer.

Length: 184.4 feet

Wingspan: 147.0 feet

Airbus built its Beluga to transport various very large plane bits from factory to factory. Only five were built, and it's a fairly cute little thing, all things considered. But I don't know, I feel like it should have more engines, though. It's the only twin-engined plane on this list other than its sibling.

Length: 219.2 feet

Wingspan: 320.9 feet

This fella only flew one time, and it was such a nightmare Leonardo DiCaprio said he'd never fly it again. Too bad, because it's quite a machine.

Length: 219.1 feet

Wingspan: 230 feet

Calling a warplane the "Peacemaker" is bone-chilling. I'm not sure how peaceful it was, given the fact it was the first bomber capable of delivering any of the nukes in the U.S.'s arsenal.

Length: 159.1 feet

Wingspan: 185.0 feet

This is the best plane on this list because it has the most engines. I don't make the rules, I just enforce them. Have you ever heard eight Pratt & Whitney freedom units at full tilt? Oh, man. Added points to the B-52 because its nickname is BUFF, or, Big Ugly Fat Fucker. Beautiful.

Length: 207.0 feet

Wingspan: 197.8 feet

The BelugaXL is the next generation of the Beluga. It's still very cool, and with its face painted on, it is even cuter. However, it still doesn't have enough engines. Sorry, folks. That's just the way it is.

Length: 185.0 feet

Wingspan: 105.0 feet

You can fight me, but the XB-70 is the prettiest plane to ever exist. Everything about it is both beautiful and purposeful. It's a shame that only one still exists. The XB-70 deserved to go into production, even if it wouldn't have been particularly useful.

Length: 190.0 feet

Wingspan: 211.3 feet

Antonov is really good at making really big planes. The An-22 may be the smallest on this list, but it was one huge bird for 1967. It's really impressive stuff.

Length: 235.2 feet

Wingspan: 211.3 feet

Think of the Dreamlifter as Boeing's answer to the Beluga. That being said, in my humble opinion it is far better than the Beluga, and I'll tell you why. First of all, it's based on a 747-400, an excellent plane that is far better than the A330 the Beluga is based on. Second, it's got four engines, people! More is better.

Length: 231.96 feet

Wingspan: 195.5 feet

What a machine the 747 is as a whole. That's the goddamn Queen of the Skies, baby. Flying on one is very much a bucket list experience for me. One of these days I'll do it... one of these days.

Length: 226.7 feet

Wingspan: 240.5 feet

The An-124 is often forgotten about because of its big sister, the An-225, and that's too bad. It's a hell of a machine on its own, and it actually served as the most capable transport plane on earth from 1982 until the An-225 came along in 1988.

Length: 247.0 feet

Wingspan: 222.8 feet

The C-5 Galaxy has been transporting freedom around the globe since it was introduced in 1968, a very calm year. It may be big and ugly, but hell, it is very practical.

Length: 301.8 feet

Wingspan: 123.4 feet

Ekranoplans are the coolest form of transportation in the known universe. We need, no, we deserve more of them. Also, calling something the "Caspian Sea Monster" is so fuckin' sick, isn't it?

Length: 238.5 feet

Wingspan: 261.8 feet

Sure, the A380 can carry more people than the Boeing 747, but it doesn't do it with nearly as much style. Okay, I'm not really being fair. A plane this big with two floors that can carry that many people in that much comfort is an absolute engineering marvel. I will give it to the French this one time.

Length: 239.5 feet

Wingspan: 383.9 feet

The Stratolauncher is so badass. It's built with the express intent of launching orbital aircraft. That's so sick. It also helps that it's the widest aircraft ever built. She's a wide fella.

Length: 275.6 feet

Wingspan: 290.0 feet

The Mriya was such a beast. Six beautiful engines lifting 705 tons toward the sky must have been a sight to behold. Too bad it's gone now, and while it is very much not one of the biggest losses from Russia's attack on Ukraine, I really do hope they're able to rebuild it one day. It's such a shame.