The Five Airlines With The Largest Fleets

Simple Flying has compiled a list of the largest commercial airlines (passenger and cargo) in terms of fleet size in 2023. While some aircraft with each airline may temporarily be inactive, the count is based on the total aircraft currently registered with the carrier.

FedEx Express

FedEx Express is the world’s largest cargo airline in terms of fleet size and freight tons transported. The American cargo carrier is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation and operates cargo services to over 375 destinations in over 200 countries on six continents. Apart from its national hub in Memphis, the airline has regional hubs across the US and international hubs in Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.

The airline is number five on our list, with a fleet size of 733 aircraft. FedEx is the largest operator of the Airbus A300-600 aircraft and also operates the last aircraft of the type ever built. FedEx currently uses a mix of Airbus, Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas aircraft. The carrier also operates ATR and Cessna aircraft as part of its Feeder fleet.

FedEx Mainline Fleet: The mainline fleet comprises Airbus A300-600, Boeing 757-200F, Boeing 767-300F, Boeing 777F, and MD-11F. Notably, all FedEx Boeing 757s are considered special freighters, meaning they are converted from passenger versions. FedEx was also a potential launch customer of the Airbus A380F, with ten aircraft on order. With the delay of the A380-800 (passenger version) and bleak visibility on the freighter program, FedEx canceled the order and converted it into Boeing 777Fs.

FedEx Feeder Fleet: The airline’s feeder fleet includes ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. Moreover, the airline also operates Cessna 208B Cargomaster and Cessna 408 SkyCourier aircraft.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is the world’s largest low-cost airline. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the airline operates nearly 125 destinations in 42 states in the US, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. With a total of 15 focus cities (small hubs), Southwest operates over 4,000 daily flights.

Southwest comes number four on our list with an excellent fleet size of 878 aircraft. Apart from a handful of leased Boeing 727-200 aircraft, the airline is an exclusive Boeing 737 family aircraft operator. With a massive single-type fleet, Southwest also becomes the world’s largest operator of the type.

The existing fleet of Southwest Airlines comprises Boeing 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. Apart from 202 active 737 MAX 8s, the airline has another 270 of the type on order. The airline also has 192 of the shorter 737 MAX 7s on order. The total outstanding order for the airline sits at 462 Boeing aircraft.

United Airlines

United Airlines is one of the three major airlines in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the airline operates to nearly 350 destinations worldwide. Apart from its domestic destinations, the airline operates scheduled services to over 130 international destinations across five continents. United Airlines ranks number three on our list with an impressive 930 aircraft.

Following its merger with Continental Airlines in 2010, the airline acquired hundreds of aircraft from Continental. The merger also made the airline the third-largest airline in the world by fleet size and routes. That status continues today when the airline operates a healthy fleet of Boeing and Airbus airliners.

United’s Airbus Fleet: The carrier currently operates Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. However, the airline has 70 A321neo, 50 A321XLR, and 45 A350-900s on order.

United’s Boeing Fleet: The airline operates a wide range of Boeing aircraft, including 737s (-700/800/900/MAX 8/9). The airline also has 737 MAX 10 on order, the exact quantity of which is not specified yet. The airline also operates 757 (-200/300), 767 (300/400), 777 (200/300), and 787 (8/9/10).

As of July, the average age of United Airlines’ fleet is just over 16 years. United’s oldest aircraft are Boeing 767-300ERs, over 30 years old. The closest second would be the carrier’s Boeing 777-200ER, with an approximate age of 27 years. The airline has an outstanding order of 674 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is the world’s largest airline in 2023 by revenue. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the airline operates to nearly 335 destinations worldwide. Apart from its domestic destinations, the airline operates scheduled services in over 55 countries across six continents. Including its regional affiliate airlines, Delta operates over 5,500 daily flights.

A founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, Delta falls at number two on our list with an exceptional 960 aircraft. The airline uses a great mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft in its narrow and widebody fleets. It is noteworthy that Delta only operated the Boeing fleet before its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008. The airline inherited several Airbus aircraft from Northwest’s fleet. New Airbus aircraft have since been added to Delta’s fleet.

Delta’s Airbus Fleet: The airline currently operates Airbus A220 (100/300), A320 family (319/320/321), A321neo, A330 (200/300), A330neo, and A350-900.

Delta’s Boeing Fleet: The airline also operates a wide range of Boeing aircraft, including Boeing 717-200 and 737 (-800/900). The airline also has 100 737 MAX 10 on order. The airline also operates 757 (-200/300) and 767 (300/400). Delta is the only major carrier in the US that does not use the modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The airline has an outstanding order of 313 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

American Airlines

American Airlines is the world’s second-largest airline by revenue in 2023, behind Delta Air Lines. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the airline serves over 350 destinations worldwide. Apart from its domestic destinations, the airline operates scheduled services in over 60 countries across six continents. With an average of over half a million daily passengers, the airline carries over 200 million travelers annually.

The founding oneworld alliance member tops our list of the largest airlines by fleet size with a whopping 980 aircraft in its mainline fleet. The airline operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Like United Airlines, American only operates the Airbus narrowbody fleet. Additionally, the airline operates Boeing aircraft in both the narrowbody and widebody categories.

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American’s Airbus Fleet: The airline currently operates the Airbus A320 family (319/320/321) and A321neo. The airline has 50 Airbus A321XLRs on order, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2024.

American’s Boeing Fleet: The airline also operates a wide range of Boeing aircraft, including Boeing 737 (-800/MAX 8). American Airlines is one of the largest 737-800 aircraft operators, with over 300 examples in its fleet. Apart from 50 active 737 MAX 8s, the airline has another 80 of the type on order. The new aircraft will be delivered on a rolling basis until 2028. In the widebody category, the airline operates 777 (200/300) and 787 (-8 and -9). The airline has an outstanding order of 174 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

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