Aircraft Types 2026
The commercial aircraft that fly the world's major routes in 2026. Specs, notable facts, and which airlines operate each type.
Wide-body jets
Airbus A380
Airbus · 10 operators
The world's largest passenger aircraft. Only 251 were built before production ended in 2021 — Emirates operates over half of them.
Boeing 747
Boeing · 3 operators
The "Queen of the Skies." First flew in 1969; production of the last passenger 747 ended in 2023. Lufthansa is the largest remaining passenger operator.
Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing · 16 operators
The most common widebody flying today — the standard long-haul workhorse for most flag carriers. Twin-engine, replacing many 747 routes.
Boeing 777-200LR
Boeing · 4 operators
The world's longest-range commercial airliner when introduced. Qatar operates this on ultra-long-haul routes like Doha-Auckland.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Boeing · 13 operators
The first mostly-composite airliner. Cabin altitude of only 6,000 ft (vs 8,000 ft on older jets) reduces fatigue on long-haul.
Airbus A350
Airbus · 13 operators
Airbus' answer to the 787. Singapore Airlines operates the A350 on the world's longest commercial flight (SIN-EWR, 18h 40m).
Airbus A330
Airbus · 11 operators
One of the most common widebodies. The A330neo (900 variant) is the newest — quieter, more fuel-efficient than the ceo.
Narrow-body jets
Boeing 737-800
Boeing · 11 operators
The workhorse of short-haul. Ryanair operates over 400 of them — one of the largest single-type fleets in the world.
Boeing 737 MAX
Boeing · 10 operators
The re-engined 737 with LEAP engines. Grounded 2019-2020 after two crashes; back in service globally since 2021.
Airbus A320
Airbus · 16 operators
The bestselling airliner family in history. Over 11,000 A320 family aircraft have been built.
Airbus A321neo
Airbus · 11 operators
The A321LR + XLR variants can fly narrow-body transatlantic routes — enabling routes like DUB-BOS + PHL-LIS on smaller planes.
Regional + turboprop
Airbus A220
Airbus · 6 operators
Originally the Bombardier CSeries, rebranded after Airbus took over. Very quiet, exceptionally efficient — Delta + airBaltic love it.
Embraer E195-E2
Embraer · 3 operators
The quietest regional jet in service. Certified with an 8-hour flight time limit — perfect for regional and thin trunk routes.
ATR 72
ATR · 6 operators
The dominant turboprop for regional routes — cheaper to operate on short thin routes than any regional jet.
De Havilland Dash 8-Q400
De Havilland Canada · 4 operators
One of the fastest turboprops in service (fast enough that regional routes flown by Q400 rival regional-jet block times).