The commercial aviation industry has changed drastically over the past several decades. In the early-to-mid-20th century, air travel was recognized as a niche mode of travel reserved for the wealthy. However, in recent years, the industry has evolved into a global network that connects billions of passengers and tons of cargo each year. In the early days of air travel, airlines operated small fleets of propeller aircraft that could only fly direct to a limited number of destinations.
However, over the years, the commercial aviation industry has expanded rapidly. As jet engines and long-range aircraft were introduced, airlines became capable of linking continents and revolutionizing global transportation. Along with the deregulation of the airline industry, carriers could compete freely on routes and pricing. This forced airlines to focus on efficiency, scale, and global reach. This shift encouraged airlines around the world to build and maintain large, diverse fleets capable of serving domestic hubs, international routes, and specialized cargo operations. Let’s take a closer look at the five airlines that currently operate the largest fleet of aircraft.
5
China Southern Airlines
683 aircraft
According to ch-aviation, the fifth-largest airline in the world in terms of total active aircraft is China Southern Airlines. This major airline was established in July 1988 following the restructuring of CAAC. The airline was formed after the acquisition and merger of several domestic airlines, and China Southern Airlines immediately became a major player in global commercial operations. Currently, the carrier is headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong, although it also operates a major hub in Beijing. China Southern Airlines also operates secondary hubs in Chongqing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Wuhan, among other destinations.
China Southern operates a diverse fleet of aircraft. Currently, the airline flies a total of 30 Comac C909s, a smaller regional jet typically used for domestic operations. In terms of narrowbody aircraft, the airline flies Boeing, Airbus, and Comac airliners. According to ch-aviation, China Southern operates the following narrowbody aircraft:
|
Aircraft Variant |
Total Active Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Comac C919 |
6 |
|
Boeing 737-700 |
9 |
|
Boeing 737-800 |
153 |
|
Boeing 737 MAX 8 |
40 |
|
Airbus A319 |
9 |
|
Airbus A320-200 |
93 |
|
Airbus A321-200 |
89 |
|
Airbus A320-200N |
66 |
|
Airbus A321-200N |
28 |
|
Airbus A321-200NX |
62 |
Currently, China Southern also has major orders for more Airbus A320neos and A321neos. The airline also has an active order for 64 more Boeing 737 MAX 8s and 94 Comac C919s, signaling further narrowbody expansion.
The airline’s fleet also remains diverse in terms of widebody aircraft. For example, it flies both Boeing and Airbus widebody airliners. Currently, the airline flies 25 Airbus A330-300s and 20 A350-900s, with seven more A350s to be delivered. For Boeing widebodies, China Southern flies 15 Boeing 777-300ERs, 20 787-8s, and 30 787-9s. It also flies eight Boeing 777-200Fs for cargo operations.
4
Southwest Airlines
815 aircraft
Southwest Airlines is a major airline based in the United States. It was originally founded in March 1967 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King as Air Southwest Co. However, it became Southwest Airlines in the 1970s when the airline began operating as an intrastate carrier in Texas, flying between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Eventually, the airline expanded nationwide and later to several destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Currently, the airline flies to over 100 destinations. Southwest Airlines operates several bases across the nation, including at Dallas Love Field (DAL), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Houston Hobby Airport (HOU), Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), Denver International Airport (DEN), Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), and Nashville International Airport (BNA), among others. According to ch-aviation, the airline operates the current fleet:
|
Aircraft Variant |
Total Active Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
737-700 |
326 |
|
737-800 |
203 |
|
737 MAX 8 |
286 |
The airline operates one of the most unique fleets in the world, flying only narrowbody aircraft. Furthermore, Southwest Airlines operates a fleet that consists entirely of Boeing 737 aircraft. Currently, the airline flies aircraft from the 737 NG and the 737 MAX families. Historically, the aircraft also flew earlier 737s, including the 737-200, 737-300, and the 737-500. All 815 of the airline’s active aircraft are Boeing 737s. Additionally, the airline has an order for nearly 200 more 737 MAX 8s and 274 Boeing 737 MAX 7s, which has yet to be certified.
3
American Airlines
1,002 aircraft
American Airlines is one of the three global carriers that operate a fleet of over 1,000 aircraft. It is also the largest airline in the world in terms of passengers carried and daily flights. The airline also operates a separate brand called American Eagle, which operates its regional flights with subsidiaries and contractors. Overall, American flies over 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in nearly 50 different countries.
The airline is based at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), although it also operates hubs at the following airports: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Miami International Airport (MIA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Ronald Reagon Washington National Airport (DCA).
American Airlines operates an extensive narrowbody fleet, which consists of both 
Boeing and Airbus aircraft. On the Boeing side, the airline flies over 300 Boeing 737-800s and 81 737 MAX 8s. It also has an order for just under 20 more 737 MAX 8s and 115 total 737 MAX 10s, which has yet to be certified. American Airlines also operates over 100 A319-100s and 200 A321-200s. Other Airbus narrowbodies it flies include the A320-200, the A321-200N, the A321-200NX, and it recently took delivery of two A321-200XLRs.
On the widebody side, American Airlines flies only Boeing aircraft. It currently has an order for 22 Boeing 787-9s that have yet to be delivered. According to ch-aviation, this includes the following aircraft:
|
Aircraft Variant |
Total Active Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Boeing 777-200ER |
47 |
|
Boeing 777-300ER |
20 |
|
37 |
|
|
Boeing 787-9 |
30 |
2
Delta Air Lines
1,010 aircraft
The second-largest global fleet is operated by 
Delta Air Lines. The company was founded in 1925, 100 years ago, making it the oldest airline in the US. Since then, it has grown to fly over 5,000 daily flights to 325 destinations. These destinations are located in 52 countries on six continents. The airline achieves this with help from its regional subsidiaries and contractors that operate under the brand Delta Connection.
Delta Air Lines is based at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), but also operates hubs at the following airports: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), and Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Currently, the airline operates a total of 1,010 aircraft, creating a diverse fleet. On the widebody side, Delta Air Lines flies both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. According to ch-aviation, this includes:
|
Aircraft Variant |
Total Active Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Airbus A330-200 |
11 |
|
Airbus A330-300 |
31 |
|
Airbus A330-900N |
9 |
|
Airbus A350-900 |
38 |
|
Boeing 767-300ER |
39 |
|
Boeing 767-400ER |
21 |
The airline operates several narrowbody aircraft from both major manufacturers. On the smaller side, Delta Air Lines flies a total of 80 Boeing 717 aircraft, which was originally designed by McDonnell Douglas. It also flies a total of 79 Airbus A220 aircraft, which was originally designed by Bombardier as the CSeries. The airline operates an extensive fleet of Airbus narrowbodies, including the A319-100, A320-100, and the A321-100. Currently, the airline also flies 77 Boeing 737-800s and 163 Boeing 737-900ERs.
1
United Airlines
1,054 aircraft
The airline with the largest fleet in the world is United Airlines. The airline is also among the oldest commercial airlines in the US, founded in 1926, just under 100 years ago. Since its founding, United Airlines has ranked among the largest airlines in the world, often due to mergers and acquisitions. Currently, the airline flies to the most destinations in the world, flying to a total of 373 different destinations.
The airline operates an extensive network, especially with the help from its regional brand called United Express. United Airlines is based at eight different hubs, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN), Guam International Airport (GUM), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Washington Dulles Airport (IAD).
On the widebody side, 
United Airlines flies only Boeing aircraft. According to ch-aviation, this includes:
|
Aircraft Type |
Total Active Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Boeing 767-300ER |
37 |
|
Boeing 767-400ER |
16 |
|
Boeing 777-200 |
19 |
|
Boeing 777-200ER |
55 |
|
Boeing 777-300ER |
22 |
|
Boeing 787-8 |
12 |
|
Boeing 787-9 |
47 |
|
Boeing 787-10 |
21 |
In terms of narrowbody aircraft, United flies both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. This includes the A319-100, the A320-200, and the A321-200. United also flies several variants of the Boeing 737 series, including the 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 737 MAX 8, and 737 MAX 9. It also flies the Boeing 757, including the -200 and -300 variants.
