The world’s largest airlines are not always the ones with the best service, but they do control the biggest fleets and the broadest route networks.
In this 2026 ranking, United Airlines leads the list by fleet size, followed by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, while major carriers from China, Europe, and Turkey round out the top 10.
This ranking uses fleet size, the most common way to measure airline scale. Other rankings use passengers, seat capacity, or market value instead, and we cover those too. Our guide to the largest airlines in the United States breaks down the U.S. market in more depth, including passenger-count specifics.
Top 10 Largest Airlines in the World
Here are the top 10 largest airlines in the world, ranked by mainline fleet size:
| Rank | Airline | Fleet Size | Country |
| 1 | United Airlines | 1,058 | USA |
| 2 | American Airlines | 1,013 | USA |
| 3 | Delta Air Lines | 989 | USA |
| 4 | Southwest Airlines | 810 | USA |
| 5 | China Southern Airlines | 708 | China |
| 6 | China Eastern Airlines | 679 | China |
| 7 | SkyWest Airlines | 600 | USA |
| 8 | Air China | 531 | China |
| 9 | Turkish Airlines | 399 | Turkey |
| 10 | Ryanair | 349 | Ireland |
Note: Fleet figures reflect late 2025 data and shift slightly as airlines take new deliveries and retire older aircraft.
1. United Airlines
United Airlines has the world’s largest mainline fleet with 1,058 aircraft. Based in Chicago, it flies to more than 370 destinations, the highest number of any major U.S. airline.
United mainly uses Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft for short and medium-distance flights. For long-distance routes, it operates Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
United is a founding member of the Star Alliance and connects passengers to many global destinations through its own flights and partner airlines. The airline has improved the travel experience with faster Wi-Fi, seatback entertainment, and better long-haul services. United’s Polaris business class and MileagePlus program also focus on providing a better experience for premium travelers.
- Fleet size: 1,058 aircraft
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
- Destinations: 370+
2. American Airlines
American Airlines has 1,013 aircraft, making it the second-largest airline fleet in the world. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, it serves nearly 350 destinations.
Its widebody fleet includes Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, while its narrowbody fleet uses both Airbus A320 family planes and Boeing 737 jets.
American Airlines is a key member of the oneworld alliance, working with airlines like British Airways and Qantas to expand its global reach. Its Flagship Suite and AAdvantage loyalty program help it compete with United and Delta by improving the passenger experience.
- Fleet size: 1,013 aircraft
- Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas
- Destinations: 350+
3. Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is the third-largest airline by fleet size, with 989 aircraft. It is also the world’s largest airline by revenue, operating more than 5,500 daily flights across 52 countries.
Delta’s widebody fleet uses only Airbus aircraft, including 81 A330s and 40 A350-900s. This makes training and maintenance easier for its long-haul teams.
Delta is known for strong customer service and high satisfaction ratings among major U.S. airlines. It was the first major U.S. airline to offer free Wi-Fi to SkyMiles members, setting a new standard for travelers. Its Delta One suites and reliable on-time performance have helped it earn many service awards.
- Fleet size: 989 aircraft
- Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
- Destinations: 325+ in 52 countries
4. Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines ranks fourth globally with 810 aircraft, all Boeing 737s. It serves more than 100 destinations, mainly on short domestic routes.
Using one aircraft type helps Southwest reduce maintenance and training costs. This simple strategy has supported its low-cost business model for decades and made it one of the most well-known airlines in the U.S.
In 2026, Southwest ended its famous open-seating system and introduced assigned seats and extra-legroom options for the first time. This was one of the biggest changes in the airline’s history since it started operations in 1971.
- Fleet size: 810 aircraft
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
- Destinations: 100+
5. China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines is China’s largest airline, with 708 aircraft. Based in Guangzhou, it operates more than 2,000 daily flights to nearly 200 destinations.
The airline uses Airbus, Boeing, and China-made COMAC aircraft, showing China’s growing focus on building its own planes.
The airline left the SkyTeam alliance in 2019 to follow its own global growth plan. Since then, it has expanded its long-distance flight network, especially in Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Fleet size: 708 aircraft
- Headquarters: Guangzhou, China
- Destinations: 200
6. China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines has 679 aircraft and is based in Shanghai. It flies to more than 225 destinations and is part of the SkyTeam alliance with Delta.
Its fleet includes 576 narrowbody and 103 widebody planes. The airline uses both Western aircraft and newer Chinese-made jets, such as the COMAC C919.
- Fleet size: 679 aircraft
- Headquarters: Shanghai, China
- Destinations: 225+
7. SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest Airlines operates 600 regional aircraft, including Bombardier CRJ and Embraer jets. It flies under contract for United, American, Delta, and Alaska Airlines, covering more than 250 destinations.
Most travelers never book directly with SkyWest. Instead, they fly SkyWest aircraft under a partner airline’s flight number, a common setup among major airlines offering regional connections in the U.S.
- Fleet size: 600 aircraft
- Headquarters: St. George, Utah
- Destinations: 250+ (as a regional partner)
8. Air China
Air China is China’s national airline. It operates 531 aircraft and flies to 215 destinations. Its fleet includes Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC planes, including the C919 jet.
As a Star Alliance member, Air China connects its Beijing hub with global partner networks, including United Airlines. This partnership helps passengers access more connecting flights across both airlines’ networks.
- Fleet size: 531 aircraft
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Destinations: 215
9. Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has 399 aircraft and flies to nearly 350 destinations in 131 countries, more than any other airline worldwide. Its biggest advantage is not its fleet size but its global reach. Based in Istanbul, the airline connects Europe, Asia, and Africa through one of the world’s most strategic locations.
Turkish Airlines has won Skytrax’s Best Airline in Europe award several times. It is also known for its large in-flight entertainment library and wide global network, making it a strong competitor among the world’s top airlines.
- Fleet size: 399 aircraft
- Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
- Destinations: 350 in 131 countries
10. Ryanair
Ryanair rounds out the top 10 with 349 Boeing 737 aircraft. The Irish low-cost carrier flies to 235 destinations across Europe. It carries more passengers than any other airline serving the European market.
Ryanair’s all-Boeing fleet mirrors Southwest’s strategy in the U.S. One aircraft type keeps costs low. It also keeps operations simple, which fits Ryanair’s ultra-low-cost model.
As one of Europe’s best-known cost airlines, Ryanair built its reputation on rock-bottom base fares and paid add-ons for nearly everything else, from seat selection to carry-on bags.
- Fleet size: 349 aircraft
- Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
- Destinations: 235
Largest Airlines in the US
Four of the 10 largest airlines in the world are American: United, American, Delta, and Southwest. SkyWest also operates from the U.S., though as a regional partner rather than a mainline brand.
Our full guide to the largest airlines in the United States covers how these carriers rank domestically, including smaller U.S. airlines that don’t crack the global top 10.
Fleet size also connects to airport infrastructure. Carriers with larger fleets need larger hubs to match. Our guide to how many airports are in the USA explains how the country’s airport network supports this much air traffic. Our list of the busiest airports in the USA shows exactly where that traffic concentrates.
Top 10 Richest Airlines in the World (By Market Value)
Fleet size measures scale, not financial value. By market value, Delta Air Lines ranks as the world’s most valuable airline, not United. Strong profit margins and a dominant U.S. network help explain that gap between fleet size and investor value.
Ryanair also punches above its fleet-size rank on this list. That reflects investor confidence in low-cost European carriers. United, Southwest, and American all rank among the top 10 by market value too, alongside Chinese carriers like Air China and China Southern.
One notable absence: airlines like Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines. Both operate massive global networks, yet neither appears on a market-value ranking. They’re government-owned and don’t trade on public stock exchanges, so no market value exists to rank. The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute’s airline rankings cover state-backed carriers using different financial measures instead.
Best Airlines vs. Largest Airlines: What’s the Difference?
Size and quality sit on two separate scales. A search for the best plane companies or the top 10 best airlines in the world usually points to service-quality rankings from groups like Skytrax, not an airline ranking based on fleet size.
Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways regularly top best-airline rankings for service and comfort. Both operate smaller fleets than the U.S. carriers on this list. Meanwhile, size leaders like United and American compete more on route network reach than on in-flight experience scores.
Fleet size can still shape the flying experience indirectly. A recent Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi upgrade shows how a single-aircraft-type carrier can roll out cabin improvements fleet-wide faster than airlines juggling multiple aircraft types. That speed advantage matters more to passengers than raw aircraft counts.
Key Takeaways
- United Airlines is the largest airline in the world by fleet size, with 1,058 aircraft.
- The top 5 airlines by fleet size are United, American, Delta, Southwest, and China Southern.
- Three of the 10 largest airlines in the world are Chinese carriers: China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China.
- Delta Air Lines, not United, ranks as the world’s most valuable airline by market value.
- Turkish Airlines connects more countries than any other airline, despite ranking ninth by fleet size.
- Being the largest airline and being the best-rated airline are two different rankings entirely.
Conclusion
Fleet size tells only part of the story. United, American, and Delta lead the world in raw aircraft numbers, but Delta leads on market value, and Turkish Airlines leads on country reach despite a much smaller fleet.
China’s three major carriers prove that scale isn’t a purely American or European story anymore. China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China now rank among the 10 largest airlines in the world, a shift that would have looked unlikely two decades ago.
For travelers, the practical takeaway matters more than any single ranking. A larger fleet usually means more flight options and backup aircraft during delays. It doesn’t automatically mean better food, more comfortable seats, or friendlier service. Choosing the right airline still depends on the trip, the route, and what kind of travel experience actually matters most to you.
FAQs
- What is the largest airline in the world?
United Airlines is the largest airline in the world by fleet size, operating 1,058 aircraft as of late 2025. By revenue, Delta Air Lines holds the top spot instead.
- Who are the top 5 airlines?
The top 5 airlines by fleet size are United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, in that order.
- Who is the world’s biggest flight company by passengers, not fleet size?
American Airlines carries the most passengers annually of any airline, according to recent industry capacity data, even though United operates a slightly larger fleet.
- What is the largest airline in the US?
United Airlines is the largest airline in the US by fleet size. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines follow in second and third place.
