The largest cargo plane in the world is the Antonov AN-225 Mriya.
Based on information from sources like Fliteline, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya held the title of the world's largest cargo aircraft. This massive transport plane was known for its unparalleled size and lifting capacity. It was designed to carry exceptionally heavy and oversized payloads that other aircraft could not handle.
Key characteristics that contributed to the AN-225's status as the largest cargo plane included:
- Overall Dimensions: Its length, wingspan, and height were significantly greater than other cargo aircraft.
- Payload Capacity: It could lift a colossal amount of cargo, measured in hundreds of tonnes.
- Engines: It was powered by six turbofan engines, a configuration necessary for its immense size and weight.
While sadly the sole completed AN-225 was destroyed, it remains historically recognized as the largest cargo aircraft ever built. Its capabilities set world records for payload lifted and its sheer scale made it an icon in aviation history.