Largest Passenger Aircraft by Seat Capacity
20 aircraft · 897–988 km/h
The Airbus A380 — the world's only full-length double-deck airliner — redefined the upper limit at 853 seats in a theoretical all-economy layout (though most operators configure 400-550 seats). Boeing's 777-300ER serves as the single-deck workhorse of high-density routes, typically carrying 350-400 passengers.
Seat count in this ranking uses the typical two- or three-class configuration, reflecting how airlines actually deploy these aircraft rather than theoretical maximums.
How we ranked these
Ranked by typical seat capacity in standard two- or three-class configuration. Data from airline fleet reports and manufacturer standard configuration guides.
Airbus · Airbus A380
The world's largest passenger aircraft, a full-length double-decker capable of carrying over 800 passengers. While production ended in 2021, Emirates' fleet of 120+ A380s remains its flagship.
Boeing · Boeing 747
Most successful 747 variant, recognized by its distinctive winglets. The -400 was the long-haul flagship of dozens of airlines and the standard for intercontinental travel for two decades.
Boeing · Boeing 747
The final evolution of the Queen of the Skies. The 747-8I is the longest airliner ever built, featuring next-generation engines and a redesigned wing. Production ended in 2023, closing a 54-year legac
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Boeing 777-9
Boeing · Boeing 777
The world's longest commercial aircraft, powered by the world's largest commercial jet engine (GE9X). The 777-9 features composite folding wingtips and aims to be 10% more fuel-efficient than the 777-
954 km/h 13,500 km 400 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 777-300
Boeing · Boeing 777
Stretched variant designed as a 747-100/200 replacement. The 777-300 is one of the longest airliners in the world, offering enormous capacity on high-demand routes.
950 km/h 11,135 km 368 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 747-100
Boeing · Boeing 747
The original 'Jumbo Jet' that revolutionized air travel by making long-distance flying affordable for the masses. The 747-100 ushered in the era of wide-body aircraft.
969 km/h 9,800 km 366 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing · Boeing 777
The flagship of long-haul aviation, combining the 777-300's capacity with ultra-long range. Emirates operates over 140 of these, making it the largest operator of any wide-body aircraft type.
950 km/h 13,650 km 365 seatsSee details → -
Airbus A350-1000
Airbus · Airbus A350 XWB
The large twin variant of the A350 family, designed as a direct replacement for the A340-600 and competitor to the Boeing 777-300ER. Qantas selected it for Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights.
945 km/h 16,100 km 350 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 787-10
Boeing · Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Largest Dreamliner variant, designed for high-density medium to long-haul routes. The -10 competes directly with the Airbus A330-900neo, offering 25% better fuel efficiency than the aircraft it replac
954 km/h 11,910 km 330 seatsSee details → -
Airbus A340-600
Airbus · Airbus A340
The longest Airbus aircraft ever built at 75.36 meters. The A340-600 was designed to compete with the 747-400 but struggled against twin-engine competitors on fuel costs.
913 km/h 13,900 km 326 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 777-200
Boeing · Boeing 777
The original 'Triple Seven' and first fly-by-wire Boeing aircraft. The 777-200 set a new standard for twin-engine wide-body performance and passenger comfort.
950 km/h 9,700 km 305 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 777-200ER
Boeing · Boeing 777
Extended-range variant and the best-selling 777 model. A long-haul workhorse used on the world's busiest international routes, with enough range to connect virtually any two cities nonstop.
950 km/h 13,080 km 301 seatsSee details → -
Airbus A350-900
Airbus · Airbus A350 XWB
Airbus's most advanced wide-body, built with 53% composite materials. The A350-900 directly competes with the Boeing 787-10 and 777-200ER, offering class-leading fuel efficiency.
945 km/h 15,000 km 300 seatsSee details → -
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
McDonnell Douglas · McDonnell Douglas MD-11
Last of the tri-jets, successor to the DC-10. While passenger operations ended, the MD-11F freighter remains a cargo workhorse for FedEx and Western Global Airlines.
945 km/h 12,630 km 293 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 777-200LR
Boeing · Boeing 777
The 'Worldliner' — longest-range commercial aircraft until the A350 ULR. Holds the record for longest nonstop flight by a commercial aircraft at 21,602 km (Hong Kong to London, eastbound).
950 km/h 17,370 km 291 seatsSee details → -
Boeing 787-9
Boeing · Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The best-selling Dreamliner variant, stretching the -8 by 6 meters. Air New Zealand used a 787-9 to operate the world's longest flight from Auckland to Doha (14,529 km).
954 km/h 14,140 km 290 seatsSee details → -
Airbus A330-300
Airbus · Airbus A330
Original A330 variant and one of the most popular wide-body aircraft ever. The -300 was the volume seller of the A330 program, known for excellent reliability and low operating costs.
913 km/h 11,750 km 277 seatsSee details → -
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas · McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Iconic tri-jet wide-body of the 1970s-90s. The DC-10 suffered early safety controversies but proved itself as a reliable long-haul workhorse. Its KC-10 military tanker variant still serves.
982 km/h 10,010 km 270 seatsSee details → -
Airbus A340-300
Airbus · Airbus A340
Four-engine long-range wide-body, the most popular A340 variant. Valued for ETOPS-free transatlantic operations but made obsolete by the fuel efficiency of twin-engine aircraft.
913 km/h 13,700 km 267 seatsSee details → -
Airbus A300-600R
Airbus · Airbus A300
The aircraft that launched Airbus. The A300 was the world's first twin-engine wide-body and proved that two engines were sufficient for high-capacity medium-range operations.
897 km/h 7,540 km 266 seatsSee details →