The Antonov An-225 Mriya, once based at Hostomel Airport, held the title of the world’s largest cargo aircraft until its destruction in 2022.
Air cargo, dominated by aircraft like the Boeing 747-8F 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).
Photo By: Wikimedia CommonsTop 10 Largest Cargo Planes
The global air cargo industry depends on a fleet of high-capacity transport planes designed to move oversized and heavy payloads across continents.
These aircraft are essential for delivering critical supplies, supporting military operations, and enabling aerospace manufacturing.
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.
Below is the list of the top 10 largest cargo planes in the world:
| 1. | Antonov An-225 Mriya | 84 | 250,000+ | Soviet Union (Antonov) | Commercial/Military | Destroyed (2022) |
| 2. | Antonov An-124 Ruslan | 69.1 | 150,000 | Soviet Union (Antonov) | Military/Commercial | In Service |
| 3. | Boeing 747-8 Freighter | 76.3 | 132,600 | USA (Boeing) | Commercial | In Service |
| 4. | Lockheed C-5 Galaxy | 75 | 127,459 | USA (Lockheed Martin) | Military | In Service |
| 5. | Airbus BelugaXL | 63.1 | 50,500 | EU (Airbus) | Commercial | In Service |
| 6. | Airbus A300-600ST Beluga | 56.15 | 47,000 | EU (Airbus) | Commercial | Limited Service |
| 7. | Antonov An-22 Antei | 57.92 | 80,000 | Soviet Union (Antonov) | Military | Operational (Limited) |
| 8. | Boeing 747 Dreamlifter | 76.3 | 113,400 | USA (Boeing) | Commercial | In Service |
| 9. | Boeing C-17 Globemaster III | 53 | 77,519 | USA (Boeing) | Military | In Service |
| 10. | Airbus A400M Atlas | 45.1 | 37,000 | EU (Airbus) | Military | In Service |
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.
Meanwhile, the BelugaXL and Dreamlifter were designed to transport aircraft components between production facilities.
Credits to Wikicommons1. Antonov An-225 Mriya
- Length: 84 m
- Max Capacity: 250,000+ kg
- Type: Commercial/Military
- Origin: Soviet Union (Antonov)
The Antonov An-225 Mriya was the world’s heaviest and longest aircraft, designed in the 1980s to transport the Buran space shuttle.
With six engines and an unmatched payload capacity, it was a global icon in aerospace engineering.
The aircraft served in both commercial and humanitarian roles, lifting ultra-heavy and oversized cargo. Its massive size and strength earned worldwide admiration.
Tragically, the An-225 was destroyed in 2022 during the conflict in Ukraine. Despite its loss, it remains a symbol of Soviet-era engineering prowess and global aviation history.
Photo: By Dmitry A. Mottl – Own work, Antonov 124 Ruslan, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48808382. Antonov An-124 Ruslan
- Length: 69.1 m
- Max Capacity: 150,000 kg
- Type: Military/Commercial
- Origin: Soviet Union (Antonov)
The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is one of the world’s largest cargo aircraft, still operational today for both military and commercial purposes.
Developed during the Cold War, it was built to transport massive equipment, vehicles, and even other aircraft.
With its rugged design and exceptional range, it’s favored for global logistics, especially in remote and disaster-affected areas.
It features a nose that opens upward for easy cargo loading. Although overshadowed by the An-225, the An-124 remains indispensable for heavy lift missions and is a backbone of many international cargo fleets.
Photo- Boeing3. Boeing 747-8 Freighter
- Length: 76.3 m
- Max Capacity: 132,600 kg
- Type: Commercial
- Origin: USA (Boeing)
The Boeing 747-8 Freighter is the latest and largest cargo variant of the iconic 747 series. It offers unmatched range and capacity for commercial freight, transporting goods across continents efficiently.
Its advanced engines and design offer better fuel efficiency compared to earlier models. With a nose-loading door and side cargo access, it provides flexible loading options.
The 747-8F plays a vital role in global logistics for companies like UPS and Lufthansa Cargo.
Combining Boeing’s engineering excellence with decades of trusted service, it is a cornerstone of modern air freight transport.
Photo: Lockheed Martin4. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
- Length: 75 m
- Max Capacity: 127,459 kg
- Type: Military
- Origin: USA (Lockheed Martin)
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest military transport aircraft globally, operated by the US Air Force.
Introduced in the 1970s, it can carry tanks, helicopters, and troops across vast distances. Its unique nose-lift design and rear loading ramp allow quick deployment of cargo.
With aerial refueling, the C-5 can travel intercontinental without landing. Upgraded models (C-5M Super Galaxy) remain in service, offering improved reliability and performance.
The aircraft has played a key role in humanitarian missions and military operations worldwide, reflecting the US strategic airlift capability.
Photo: Clément Alloing5. Airbus BelugaXL
- Length: 63.1 m
- Max Capacity: 50,500 kg
- Type: Commercial
- Origin: EU (Airbus)
The Airbus BelugaXL is a next-generation transport aircraft designed to carry oversized components like aircraft wings between Airbus facilities.
Inspired by the shape of a beluga whale, it features an enlarged cargo bay and advanced avionics.
With a longer and wider fuselage than its predecessor, the BelugaXL offers increased payload and efficiency.
Though not a commercial cargo carrier, it plays a crucial internal logistics role in Airbus production.
Introduced in 2019, it supports Airbus’s growing industrial demand, ensuring timely and secure transport of massive aircraft parts.
Photo: By aeroprints.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=325359256. Airbus A300-600ST Beluga
- Length: 56.15 m
- Max Capacity: 47,000 kg
- Type: Commercial
- Origin: EU (Airbus)
The Airbus A300-600ST Beluga, predecessor to the BelugaXL, was developed in the 1990s for transporting large aircraft components across Airbus sites.
Its bulbous upper fuselage and distinctive shape gave it high visibility in the aviation world. Though retired from mainstream service, some Belugas remain operational for limited transport roles.
Despite its age, the aircraft is still capable of carrying outsized loads and supports missions unsuitable for regular freighters.
The Beluga demonstrated Airbus’s innovative logistics strategy long before the arrival of its modern successor.
Photo: Townman7. Antonov An-22 Antei
- Length: 57.92 m
- Max Capacity: 80,000 kg
- Type: Military
- Origin: Soviet Union (Antonov)
The Antonov An-22 Antei is the largest turboprop-powered aircraft ever built. Developed in the 1960s, it served as a heavy military airlifter for the Soviet Union.
The aircraft’s distinctive contra-rotating propellers and robust frame allow it to operate from unprepared airstrips, making it ideal for remote deployments.
Though largely phased out, a few remain in limited service, mainly in humanitarian or special missions.
Its legacy endures as a pioneering heavy-lift aircraft, showcasing the Soviet commitment to large-scale air mobility during the Cold War.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons8. Boeing 747 Dreamlifter
- Length: 76.3 m
- Max Capacity: 113,400 kg
- Type: Commercial
- Origin: USA (Boeing)
The Boeing 747 Dreamlifter is a modified 747-400 designed to transport large Boeing aircraft parts, especially for the 787 Dreamliner program.
Featuring one of the largest cargo holds in the world, the Dreamlifter facilitates rapid movement of oversized components like fuselage sections and wings.
Its swing-tail design enables easier loading of bulky items. While not used for public freight, it is vital for Boeing’s global supply chain.
Introduced in 2006, the Dreamlifter underscores Boeing’s innovation in solving complex aerospace logistics challenges.
Photo: Pixabay9. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
- Length: 53 m
- Max Capacity: 77,519 kg
- Type: Military
- Origin: USA (Boeing)
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a versatile military transport aircraft developed for the US Air Force. Known for its ability to operate from short, unpaved runways, it supports both strategic and tactical missions.
The C-17 is used for troop transport, cargo delivery, medical evacuation, and humanitarian relief. Its advanced avionics and high reliability make it a workhorse of global military operations.
With a high lift wing and efficient engines, the C-17 continues to serve not just the US, but also allied forces worldwide.
Photo: By Myself (Adrian Pingstone). – My own photo, taken with a Nikon D5300 DSLR and Nikon 18-200 mm lens, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8126324610. Airbus A400M Atlas
- Length: 45.1 m
- Max Capacity: 37,000 kg
- Type: Military
- Origin: EU (Airbus)
The Airbus A400M Atlas is a state-of-the-art military transport aircraft developed by a consortium of European nations.
It bridges the gap between tactical airlifters like the C-130 and strategic ones like the C-17. The A400M offers exceptional versatility, able to carry heavy loads, operate from rough runways, and perform aerial refueling.
Introduced in the 2010s, it’s equipped with advanced systems and fly-by-wire controls. The aircraft plays a growing role in European defense logistics and humanitarian missions, demonstrating Airbus’s engineering excellence in the defense sector.
Photo: Clément AlloingEvolving Global Freight Demands
The cargo industry has shifted from bulk goods to specialized and oversized freight. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these large cargo planes were instrumental in moving medical supplies and emergency equipment globally.
Air cargo is growing steadily with the rise of e-commerce and just-in-time manufacturing. Aircraft like the 747-8F and An-124 are now indispensable in supply chain resilience, supporting industries from automotive to aerospace.
Antonov-company | Credits To WikicommonsFuture Outlook
Flying the largest cargo planes requires specialized training and adaptability. Cargo pilots operate under different rules than passenger airlines, often flying at night, through variable weather, or into disaster zones.
With freight demand rising, pilot and crew roles are expanding, especially for long-haul intercontinental operations.
Opportunities are growing not only for pilots but also for logistics engineers, ground crew, and avionics technicians.
As cargo aviation modernizes with automation and sustainable fuels, the next generation of aviation professionals will continue to support the world’s trade arteries.
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