There is something special about large aircraft that captures the imagination of both avgeeks and the public. Not only do they carry a sense of majesty in their sheer size, but getting such large vessels in the air also represents an impressive feat of engineering. A way in which such aircraft can be classified is by their wingspan, but which planes are the widest?
1) Scaled Composites Stratolaunch
Topping the list of the aircraft with the widest wingspans in the world is none other than the Scaled Composites Model 351 ‘Stratolaunch.’ This twin-boom design is powered by six engines, and stretches to an incredible width of 117 meters. It is also one of the world’s longest aircraft, clocking at 73 meters, but its wingspan outranks this figure by over 60%!
The Stratolaunch first flew in April 2019, and is designed to launch orbital spacecraft while inflight. It flew again for a second time in April 2021 in California’s Mojave Desert.
2) Hughes H-4 Hercules
Before the Stratolaunch took to the skies, the record for the aircraft with the widest wingspan had been held for more than seven decades. Clocking in at a width of 97.8 meters, the Hughes H-4 ‘Hercules’ was a wooden flying boat otherwise known as the ‘Spruce Goose.’ It flew for the first and only time in November 1947, just off Cabrillo Beach in California.
Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.
3) Antonov An-225 Mriya
In terms of large aircraft that still see fairly regular service today, the mighty Antonov An-225 ‘Mriya’ is one of the most notable. The colossal six-engine cargo aircraft, whose name means ‘dream,’ has an imposing wingspan measuring 88.4 meters in width.
It is also the world’s longest operational aircraft, at 84 meters in length. Only one was built, with a second remaining incomplete. It has been busy this year with various special cargo missions, although its six engines proved too powerful for a fence at RAF Brize Norton!
4) Airbus A380
The double-decker Airbus A380 is famous as the world’s largest active passenger aircraft. While its popularity among airlines has waned amid the current downturn, the majesty of its size remains. It is 79.8 meters wide, compared with a 72.7-meter length.
Airbus recently delivered the last production example of the A380 to Emirates, its most numerous customer. 2022 looks set to be a key recovery year for the type, with the likes of British Airways, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines planning greater use of the type.
5) Antonov An-124
Antonov is the only manufacturer to have two models in the top five when it comes to the world’s widest aircraft. While the An-225 never reached wider-scale production, it did manage to produce 55 examples of its 73.3-meter-wide An-124 ‘Ruslan’ design.
Much like its larger six-engine counterpart, the An-124 also specializes in heavy cargo missions. For example, this year has seen the type transport fire trucks, helicopters, private jet parts, and even mining equipment to parts of the world where the cargo is most needed.
Which of these enormous aircraft is your favorite? Have you ever seen any of them in person? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
