The largest airlines in the world can be ranked in numerous ways, by fleet size, the number of passengers carried, the size of their network, or by revenue generated. In this guide, we primarily examine the fleet size using data from planespotters.net. We will discover the aircraft types they have and how they compare in numbers, which are actually closer than one would think. Which airline will be the largest by fleet size?
United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines are the four largest airlines in the world. They are US-based and some have subsidiaries, boosting their fleets further. There are different strategies at play, and more often, airlines employ a mix of full-service and low-cost operations. Also, current orders for aircraft will be taken into consideration, as well as plans for expansion.
United Airlines Leads The Pack
United Airlines operates predominantly with the Boeing 737, with 535 of the aircraft in service and 30 parked. They also operate the Airbus family (A319, A320, and A321) and the Boeing 757, 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner, but in much smaller numbers than the Boeing 737 fleet. The airline also has a subsidiary, United Express, which consists of 472 aircraft. The average fleet age based on all aircraft is 15.6 years.
In terms of new aircraft, the airline has 61 aircraft on order, the largest order of the four airlines. These include 25 Airbus A321, 26 Boeing 737 MAX 9 and MAX 10, and ten Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Historically, United Airlines has operated a large fleet of Boeing 737s, of which it had 308, and also had the Douglas DC-8, of which it had 117. They also operated the Boeing 747, 757, and 767 as well as the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, but in smaller numbers.
A Look At American Airlines
American Airlines is the second-largest airline as measured by fleet size, with a current fleet of 998 aircraft. It was first established in 1930 and operates domestic routes as well as international destinations around the world. The airline’s main base is Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW/KDFW). Its fleet size significantly grew with the acquisition of Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 2001 and US Airways in 2013.
The airline operates both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The Airbus fleet uses the A319, A320, and A321 and has a total Airbus fleet of 482 aircraft. Its Boeing fleet consists mostly of B737 aircraft, of which it has 382 in total, and also operates the Boeing 777 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Of the 998 aircraft currently, 957 are in service with 41 parked.
American Airlines has 22 aircraft on order, focusing on 12 Airbus A321, seven Boeing 737 MAX 8, and three Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The fleet averages 14.3 years at the present time. Historically, the airline operated a large and varied fleet, the largest number being the Boeing 757 and 767, and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80, of which they had 383 in their fleet.
What’s Happening At Delta Air Lines?
Delta Air Lines is the third-largest airline in the world with a fleet of 992 aircraft. It is one of the oldest operating airlines in the US, founded in 1928, and is the tenth-oldest airline in the world. It flies to 325 destinations in 52 countries. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL/KATL) is its hub and is the busiest airport in the world.
One reason its fleet is so large is that it has seven subsidiary airlines, including Delta Connection (336 aircraft) and endeavor air (143 aircraft), as well as a private jet subsidiary. The airline operates a very diverse fleet compared to the other airlines with a mix of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The most operated is the Boeing 737, closely followed by the Airbus A321. Delta Air Lines also operates the Airbus A220, A319, A320, A330, and A350 XWB as well as the Boeing 717, B757, and B767.
Currently, the airline has 943 aircraft in service, and 49 aircraft are parked. Its oldest aircraft in the fleet are the Airbus 320 and the Boeing 757 and 767, which range between 27 and 29 years old. The average fleet age is 15 years. Delta Air Lines currently has 11 aircraft on order: nine Airbus A321 and two Airbus A350 XWB.
Southwest Airlines’ Strategy
Southwest Airlines’ strategy of keeping the same aircraft type makes sense as it keeps maintenance costs down and is much easier. The disadvantage for the airline is that the aircraft have a limited range and capacity, so it restricts their routes. The airline does not fly international or European routes like the other carriers, but has domestic routes, and it does fly to some holiday destinations in the Caribbean. The airline has its headquarters at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL/KDAL).
Southwest Airlines has ordered another 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and has 30 Boeing 737 MAX 7, a total of 44 aircraft to be delivered in the coming years. Certification and deliveries of the MAX 7 have been delayed due to issues with the engine anti-ice system, but the airline hopes to receive the aircraft in 2026. They have the second-largest aircraft order of the four airlines. Of the 798 aircraft, 785 are in service and 13 are parked.
A Comparison Of The Big Four
American Airlines has the largest market share in terms of available seats and passenger volume, whereas Delta Air Lines leads in brand revenue value and revenue. United Airlines has the most destinations and the largest fleet size. Southwest Airlines is the largest low-cost airline, with an all-Boeing 737 fleet and the largest route network comprised of 3,161 individual routes. It also carries the most passengers of the big four.
American Airlines and United Airlines both have large, complex fleets of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. On the other hand, Delta Air Lines has chosen Airbus widebodies as part of its fleet, making it unique among US carriers. Southwest Airlines has stuck with its single fleet, which limits its range but is less costly and more convenient for maintenance.
|
In-service: |
Parked: |
Current Fleet: |
On Order: |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
United Airlines |
991 |
64 |
1055 |
61 |
|
American Airlines |
960 |
38 |
998 |
22 |
|
Delta Air Lines |
942 |
50 |
992 |
11 |
|
Southwest Airlines |
784 |
14 |
798 |
44 |
In terms of passenger popularity, Delta Air Lines is considered the most valuable and the most reliable airline. In comparison, American Airlines has a large fleet, but passengers report more delays and cases of mishandled baggage, more so than the other airlines. Although the numbers in terms of fleet size are quite comparable, United Airlines has the largest fleet size overall at the present time.
In Conclusion
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are the largest by sheer capacity and number of passengers. However, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines have an almost equal market share and hold a substantial portion of the US market. Per Revenue Passenger Miles (RPM), Delta Air Lines has the highest market share.
According to OAG, these four airlines account for 74% of US airline seats and a total of 538 million seats between them. Based on seats, American Airlines has 21% of capacity, followed by Delta Air Lines with 19%. Not to be outdone, Southwest Airlines has 133 million seats and an 18% capacity. United Airlines is just below that with 117 million seats and 16% capacity.
As we can see, there are numerous aspects to what makes an airline the largest or best in the world. Although United Airlines is the leader of the pack in terms of actual fleet size, the numbers are quite close when comparing number of seats and market share. Also, to be taken into account are factors like perceived value, number of routes and destinations and reliability overall. Will United Airlines remain at the top of the leaderboard, or will Southwest Airlines’ low-cost domestic model rule? Or will Delta Air Lines or American Airlines quietly take first place? Time will only tell.