Top 10: The airlines with the biggest fleets in 2026

In recent years, the commercial aviation industry has expanded significantly, thanks to the development of reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft. Advances in aviation technology have allowed airlines to maintain large, diverse fleets capable of serving point-to-point and long-haul routes.

We explore airlines that currently operate the largest fleet of aircraft. The data is acquired from Planespotters.net and individual airlines, and is current as of December 2025.

1. United Airlines

United Airlines takes the crown of operating the world’s largest fleet. The airline has 1058 aircraft in its mainline fleet, excluding those operated by its subsidiary United Express. The Chicago-based airline offers scheduled services to over 370 destinations, more than any other airline in the world.

On the narrowbody side, United’s fleet primarily comprises Airbus A320/A320neo family, Boeing 737 family, and 757s. The widebody fleet consists of all Boeing aircraft, including 767s, 777s, and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

2. American Airlines 

American Airlines operates the second-largest fleet, having 1,013 aircraft in its mainline fleet. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the airline offers scheduled flights to nearly 350 destinations worldwide.

American Airlines’ narrowbody fleet comprises Airbus A320/A320neo family and Boeing 737 family aircraft. American Airlines also operates a Boeing-only widebody fleet, comprising 47 Boeing 777-200s, 20 777-300ERs, 37 Boeing 787-8s, and 33 787-9 aircraft.

3. Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is the world’s largest airline in terms of annual revenue and operates the third-largest fleet of 989 aircraft in its mainline fleet. The Atlanta-based airline operates over 5,500 daily flights, serving nearly 325 destinations in 52 countries.

The airline’s narrowbody fleet primarily consists of Airbus A220, A320/A320neo family, Boeing 717, 737, and 757 aircraft. Contrary to its US contenders that rely solely on an all-Boeing widebody fleet, Delta operates an all-Airbus twin-aisle aircraft, including 81 Airbus A330 family and 40 A350-900 aircraft.

4. Southwest Airlines 

US low-cost giant Southwest Airlines is the world’s fourth-largest airline in terms of fleet size and fourth-largest in North America by passengers carried. The airline serves over 100 destinations using its fleet of 810 Boeing 737 family aircraft.

The fleet comprises 37 737-700s, 737-800s, and MAX 8s. The airline has an outstanding order of over 500 Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft.

5. China Southern Airlines 

China Southern Airlines is one of the three major Chinese carriers, along with China Eastern Airlines and Air China. Headquartered in Guangzhou, the airline operates over 2,000 daily scheduled flights to nearly 200 destinations worldwide. It operates the largest fleet in China, having 708 aircraft in its fleet.

China Southern uses a range of narrowbody aircraft, including Airbus A320/A320neo family, Boeing 737 family, COMAC ARJ21, and COMAC C919 aircraft. On the widebody side, the airline uses a mix of Airbus and Boeing jets, comprising A330, A350, B777, and B787 Dreamliner.

6. China Eastern Airlines

China Eastern Airlines is the country’s second-largest airline by passenger volume. A member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, China Eastern operates flights to over 225 destinations worldwide, primarily from its Shanghai (PVG) hub.

The airline operates a fleet of 679 aircraft, comprising 576 single-aisle and 103 widebody jets. The airline has a similar aircraft lineup as China Southern, combining Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC aircraft.

7. SkyWest Airlines

SkyWest Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., offering over 250 destinations across North America for its partners United, American, Delta, and Alaska Airlines.

The airline operates a fleet of 600 narrowbody aircraft, comprising Bombardier CRJs and Embraer ERJ regional jets. According to Skywest, only 502 aircraft are in active service while nearly one-sixth of the carrier’s fleet is parked.

Skywest’s older CRJ200s and some Embraer E175 remain parked, primarily due to regional pilot shortage and the high cost of operating smaller, less efficient jets. The airline focuses on revenues and profits, utilising newer, more efficient aircraft over older models. The fleet comprises CRJ200s, -700s, -900s, and ERJ-170 and -175s. 

8. Air China

China’s flag carrier Air China offers scheduled flights to 215 destinations worldwide, operating a fleet of 531 aircraft. Headquartered in Beijing, the airline operates Airbus A320/A320neo family, Boeing 737 family, COMAC ARJ21, and COMAC 919.

A similar variety is available for those flying Air China on long-haul routes, including Airbus A330, A350, Boeing 747, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.

9. Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines holds the title of operating in more countries than any other airline in the world. Offering scheduled flights to nearly 350 destinations in 131 countries, Turkish operates a fleet of 399 aircraft.

The Star Alliance member airline operates a mix of Airbus A320/A320neo and Boeing 737 family aircraft for short-haul flights. The airline’s long-haul network is served with Airbus A330, A350, Boeing 777, and 787 aircraft. 

10. Ryanair

The ultra-low-cost Irish carrier is the largest airline in Europe in terms of annual passengers, fleet size, and number of flights. The airline operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet of 349 aircraft, flying to 235 destinations. The Ryanair 737 fleet includes 205 737-800s and 141 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Featured Image: Bidgee / Wikimedia Commons

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