The World’s Biggest Airline by Fleet Size in 2026: A Data-Driven Breakdown

As the aviation industry continues to rebound and expand, fleet size remains a key indicator of an airline’s market strength, route network, and operational capacity. In 2026, the world’s largest airlines continue to invest heavily in modern aircraft, with single-aisle jets dominating short- and medium-haul operations, while widebody aircraft power international routes. Here’s a look at the top 10 airlines with the biggest fleets in 2026.

10. Ryanair – 349 Aircraft

Rounding out the top 10, Ryanair operates a fleet of 349 single-aisle Boeing 737s, focusing exclusively on low-cost European routes. The airline’s latest delivery, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, arrived in November 2025.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Boeing 737	331	15	346	10.7
Bombardier Challenger 300	3	–	3	0.8
Total	334	15	349	10.6

Ryanair continues to lead the way for ultra-low-cost operations, and under this model frequently adding new secondary airports in Europe to avoid congestion and reduce fees. It also operates one of the industry’s most aggressive ancillary revenue programs, generating additional income from baggage, seat selection, and in-flight services. The carrier recently introduced paperless boarding system.

9. Turkish Airlines – 402 Aircraft

With 237 single-aisle jets and 165 widebodies, Turkish Airlines has a total fleet of 402 aircraft. The airline recently received an Airbus A350-900, enhancing its long-haul international services. Note that the Airbus A350-900 is the aircraft type that is operated one the longest non-stop route in the world.

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Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Airbus A319	6	–	6	14.6
Airbus A320	18	3	21	15.1
Airbus A321	115	15	130	8.7
Airbus A330	51	8	59	13.3
Airbus A350 XWB	29	4	33	2.4
Boeing 737	76	4	80	10.0
Boeing 777	45	2	47	10.9
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	26	–	26	4.5
Total	366	36	402	9.5

In 2025 it reported robust financial performance, including a third‑quarter profit of about $1.1 billion and significant growth across its diversified revenue streams as it progresses toward its long‑term 2033 expansion strategy, which envisions a fleet exceeding 800 aircraft and a top‑five global airline ranking by its centennial year. The airline carried over 51 million passengers in the first seven months of 2025.

8. Air China – 532 Aircraft

Air China, China’s flag carrier, operates 407 single-aisle jets and 125 widebodies, totaling 531 aircraft. December 2025 marked the delivery of a COMAC C919, signaling China’s push to introduce domestic aircraft on major routes.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Airbus A319	28	–	28	14.6
Airbus A320	69	22	91	8.2
Airbus A321	89	15	104	9.5
Airbus A330	38	5	43	13.1
Airbus A350 XWB	28	2	30	5.0
Boeing 737	137	4	141	11.7
Boeing 747	9	–	9	14.9
Boeing 777	26	2	28	11.8
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	12	2	14	8.9
COMAC ARJ21	33	2	35	2.9
COMAC C919	9	–	9	0.6
Total	478	54	532	9.8

At the turn of the new year, Reuters reported that Air China has also committed to a $9.5 billion order for 60 Airbus A320neo aircraft for delivery through 2032. Its cargo arm further expanded by placing orders for six Airbus A350F freighters, enhancing long-haul freighter capacity.

For the first nine months of 2025, it reported a 37% year-on-year increase in net profit to approximately RMB 1.87 billion, with revenue up modestly by about 1.3% to RMB 129.8 billion

7. SkyWest Airlines – 600 Aircraft

Operating a fleet entirely of regional jets, SkyWest Airlines has 600 aircraft, all single-aisle. The airline added an Embraer ERJ-175 in December 2025, reinforcing its position as one of North America’s largest regional carriers.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Bombardier CRJ-100 Series	70	57	127	22.9
Bombardier CRJ-700	118	18	136	20.4
Bombardier CRJ-900	36	30	66	17.4
Embraer ERJ-170	263	8	271	7.5
Total	487	113	600	14.7

According to a report from Business Wire, SkyWest reported a net income of $120 million on roughly $1 billion in revenue in 2025, with block hour production up 19% year-on-year. The company has expanded its fleet strategy with a large Embraer E175 order, reported Nasdaq:

“SkyWest also secured firm delivery positions with Embraer for 44 additional E175s from 2028 to 2032 for potential future flying contract opportunities, with purchase rights on 50 additional E175s. The 16 new E175 aircraft are expected to replace 11 CRJ900s and 5 CRJ700s currently under contract with Delta”

6. China Eastern Airlines – 681 Aircraft

China Eastern Airlines follows closely with 681 aircraft, including 578 single-aisle jets and 103 widebodies. Its newest aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, arrived in December 2025, supporting China Eastern’s growing long-haul network.

The airline inaugurated the Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires route, now the world’s longest commercial flight (~20,000 km). It resumed direct Shanghai–Delhi services after a five-year hiatus in November 2025 with high load factors (~95 %) and has moved to daily non-stop Delhi–Shanghai flights from January 2, 2026.

5. China Southern Airlines – 710 Aircraft

China Southern Airlines continues to be one of Asia’s largest carriers with 710aircraft, split between 600 single-aisle and 110 widebody jets. The airline recently received an Airbus A321neo, demonstrating its focus on efficient narrowbody aircraft for domestic and regional expansion.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Airbus A319	9	–	9	2.3
Airbus A320	158	8	166	9.7
Airbus A321	161	18	179	8.8
Airbus A330	18	7	25	9.9
Airbus A350 XWB	20	–	20	4.6
Boeing 737	182	21	203	11.4
Boeing 777	33	1	34	9.6
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	21	10	31	8.3
COMAC ARJ21	33	2	35	2.8
COMAC C919	7	1	8	0.8
Total	642	68	710	9.2

China Southern recently signed a contract with Airbus to equip 30 A350 aircraft with next-generation HBCplus inflight connectivity, making it the first Chinese operator of this system with service entry expected in 2026.

According to Airbus, HBCplus inflight connectivity is a state-of-the-art platform that supports multi-orbit connectivity including Geostationary (GEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks:

“Using the Ka-band spectrum, it delivers higher data speeds through the Thinkom KA2517 terminal. This terminal features an advanced technology called the Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS), which helps the antenna work as a smart flashlight, aiming at the satellite automatically. Thanks to this technology, the transmission between the antenna and the satellite can always achieve better performance and efficiency”.

4. Southwest Airlines – 810 Aircraft

According to AerospaceGlobalNews, the largest low-cost carrier on the list, Southwest Airlines, operates 810 single-aisle aircraft exclusively, primarily Boeing 737s. But data from planespotters suggests otherwise. Their most recent delivery, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 in December 2025, reinforces their all-737 fleet strategy for domestic operations.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Boeing 737	784	20	804	11.3

Much like its European counterpart, Ryanair, Southwest also maintains its unique no-frills, point-to-point network, which allows it to serve secondary airports and avoid congested hubs.

The airline reported $213 million in net income for Q2 2025 and has introduced bag fees and a new basic-fare product to drive incremental revenue while maintaining capacity growth, ending a long era of no-fee checked bags and fully free seating. According to PR NewsWire, the airline:

• Reported net income of $213 million, or $0.39 per diluted share; $230 million, or $0.43 per share, excluding special items

• Returned $1.6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases

• Board authorized a new $2.0 billion share repurchase program to be completed over up to two years

• Introduced bag fees, delivering better-than-expected financial results with no adverse operational impact

• Implemented a new basic economy structure to support future product differentiation

• Reaffirmed incremental EBIT targets of $1.8 billion for full-year 2025 and $4.3 billion for 2026, excluding special items

• Updated full-year 2025 EBIT guidance to a range of $600 million to $800 million

Southwest cut approximately 15% of its corporate workforce (~1,750 jobs) in early 2025, reported AeroTime. The airline is also adding overnight “redeye” flights in key U.S. markets to better utilise assets and generate revenue without significant new aircraft investment.

3. Delta Air Lines – 989 Aircraft

Much like the dissonance in the data of Southwest, data from Aerospace Global News suggests that Delta Air Lines maintains a fleet of 989 aircraft (according to Aerospace Global News), including 810 single-aisle and 179 widebody jets. Planespotters reports 988 aircraft. Delta’s newest addition, the Airbus A321neo, arrived in December 2025, highlighting the airline’s commitment to efficiency and passenger comfort.

This Atlanta-based legacy carrier will be celebrating its centennial this year. It has reported record quarterly revenues and a 25 % dividend increase, with forecasts of $3–4 billion in free cash flow in 2025. The airline is expanding its global network, a prime example of which is its resumed daily JFK–Tel Aviv flights.

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2. American Airlines – 1,013 Aircraft

Close behind is American Airlines (AA), with 1,013 aircraft, featuring 876 single-aisle jets and 137 widebodies. The airline’s latest delivery was a Boeing 737 MAX 8 in December 2025.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Airbus A319	123	9	132	21.8
Airbus A320	46	2	48	24.8
Airbus A321	297	7	304	11.0
Boeing 737	382	10	392	13.4
Boeing 777	64	3	67	21.2
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	68	2	70	6.7
Total	980	33	1013	14.3

American Airlines Group reported record second-quarter 2025 revenue of $14.4 billion and a GAAP net income of $599 million, with $12 billion in available liquidity at quarter end. The carrier is executing major network expansions for 2025–2026, adding 15 new domestic and international routes for summer 2026.

1. United Airlines – 1,058 Aircraft

Topping the list is United Airlines, which operates a total fleet of 1,061 aircraft, including 828 single-aisle jets and 230 widebody planes. The airline recently added a Boeing 737 MAX 9 in December 2025, continuing its focus on fuel-efficient aircraft for domestic and transcontinental routes.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Total	Avg. Age (Years)
Airbus A319	67	5	72	24.0
Airbus A320	64	3	67	25.8
Airbus A321	59	–	59	1.0
Boeing 737	543	29	572	12.2
Boeing 757	53	8	61	27.0
Boeing 767	50	3	53	28.2
Boeing 777	85	11	96	22.4
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	79	2	81	7.3
Total	1000	61	1061	15.4