It’s a benefit to know who the largest players are in the aviation industry. Knowing the airline you travel with on the factors that make it stand out helps in planning better. Now you might find yourself wondering about who the largest airlines in the world is. So here we are listing the Top 12 Largest Airlines In The World.
The Airline Industry has seen massive growth over the years. We see new airlines emerging and the ones that already exist are constantly expanding. This increases the competition to be better and provide world-class service in the air to the passengers. So next time you are making a plan choosing wisely among the many options available to you will make all the difference.
Listing 12 Largest Airlines In The World
What makes an airline the largest among the rest depends on various factors. The revenue generated in the previous year, net income earned, profit made, total passengers carried, total fleet size, and assets earned. These are all the matrices on which we determine which airline is the biggest airline in the world. Listed below are the airlines that made the list.
1. Delta Airlines
Delta sits at the top of the list of Top 12 Largest Airlines In The World. Delta Airlines is a flag carrier of the United States that was founded on March 2, 1925. Its headquarters are situated in Atlanta, Georgia. At present it is operating globally in 52 countries at 325 destinations with a fleet size of 945 aircraft. It is estimated that on a daily basis, Delta flies around 5400 international and domestic flights across the globe. Delta Airlines is also a founding member of the world’s second-largest air alliance known as Skyteam.
Delta Airlines makes this list due to a number of factors. These factors are Fleet size, number of employees, Revenue, Market Capitalization, destinations served, and asset values. Below given table shows the numbers that make Delta the largest airline in the world as of January 2023.
| Airline Name | Delta Airlines |
| Country | U.S.A |
| Number of Employees | 95,000 |
| Fleet Size | 945 |
| Revenue | $53.99 Billion |
| Market Capitalization | $21.81 Billion |
| Assets | $73.13 Billion |
2. United Airlines
Second, on the largest airlines list is United Airlines. It was founded on 6 April 1926 and its headquarters are located at Willis Tower, Chicago, Illinois U.S. In 2010 when United merged with Continental Airlines, it became the largest airline in the world. Star Alliance, which is the world’s largest air alliance with 28 members, was founded by 5 airlines. United Airlines is one of the 5 founding members.
United Airlines is operating globally in 342 destinations with a fleet size of 922 aircraft. Additionally United also has a frequent flier program known as MileagePlus. So if you are a frequent flier and you make your way into the club then you get entitled to a lot of benefits. United makes this list due to fleet size and number of routes traveled by the airline.
United is one of the major carriers in the US with a revenue of 48.82 Billion and employees up to 92,800. The airline’s profit is $1.92 Billion, its assets are up to $70.42 Billion, and the market capitalization of $14.7 Billion. These merits make United Airlines one of the biggest airlines in the world.
3. Lufthansa Airlines
Lufthansa stands in third position on the list of the world’s largest airlines. Lufthansa Airlines is Germany’s flag carrier with headquarters located in Cologne, Germany. Also, it is one of the 5 airlines that founded Star Alliance. With a fleet size of 274 aircraft, Lufthansa operates in a total of 310 destinations globally.
Lufthansa offers miles and more programs to its frequent flies. Due to the number of passengers carried, Lufthansa is also known as the second-largest airline in Europe. The factors that make Lufthansa one of the largest airlines in the world are these. The total number of employees is 109,509, the revenue is $35.8 Billion, the assets are $48.79 Billion, the profit is $0.94 Billion and the Market Capitalization is $12.10 Billion. This is based on the information up till January 2023.
4. Emirates Airlines
In fourth place Emirates stands tall as the largest airline in the world. Emirates is operating globally in 133 destinations and its hub is located in Dubai International Airport. It has its headquarters located in Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and has a fleet of 264 aircraft. The frequent flying program of Emirates is known as Emirates Skywards and the airline is known to operate over 3600 flights each week.
| Airline Name | Emirates Airlines |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Number of Employees | 102,379 |
| Fleet Size | 264 |
| Revenue | $32.6 Billion |
| Net Income | $3.2 Billion |
| Assets | $73.13 Billion |
Emirates is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group. It holds the position of 4th largest airline based on the passenger km flown and in terms of freight km flown, it holds the position of the 2nd largest airline in the world.
5. Southwest Airlines
At fifth position on the list is the world’s low-cost airline Southwest Airlines which is a major airline based in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas. Southwest Airlines operates globally in 121 destinations with a fleet of 803 aircraft. This airline also takes the place of the third largest airline in North America when it comes to passengers flown. The airline has a flying program known as Rapid Rewards.
Southwest Airlines is operating with a total of 66,000 employees. The revenue is $24.82 Billion, the Market Capitalization is $17.65 Billion, the Profit is $0.65 Billion and the Assets are $35.55 Billion. These factors combined make place for Southwest Airlines stand in the list of largest airlines in the world.
6. China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines is standing in 6th position in the world’s largest airline list. It was founded on 1st July 1988 and its headquarters are in Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong. In such a short time China Southern Airlines has managed to bag the position of the three big airlines in China.
In the matrix of passengers carried, it stands as the world’s sixth-largest airline. And Asia’s largest when it comes to revenue, passengers carried, and the number of aircraft it holds. On a daily basis, China Southern Airlines is operating more than 2000 flights to 216 destinations globally with a fleet of 900 aircraft. It is a part of a frequent flier program known as Sky Pearl Club.
China Southern Airlines has 100,000 employees and the revenue is $127.806 Billion. The net income of the airline is $9.156 Billion, Total assets are $149.14 Billion, Total equity is $62.543 Billion and the operating income is $8.798 Billion. All of these make China Southern Airlines stand strong in the list of world’s largest airlines in the world.
7. Air France-KLM
Air France stands in 7th position in the list of largest airlines in the world. It was founded on May 5 2004 and its headquarters are located in Charles de Gaulle Airport in Tremblay-en-France, Paris. Air France-KLM happened when KLM And Air France came together in 2004. This airline is a flag carrier of France and the Netherlands
The factors that justify why Air France makes the list of one of the biggest airlines in the world are mentioned here. The revenue earned is $29.41 Billion, The market Capitalization is $4.12 Billion, the assets are $34.81 Billion and the profit is $0.97 Billion. The airline holds a total of 213 aircraft and serves globally operating in 318 destinations in 118 countries.
8. Ryanair
Ryanair is making the list at 8th position. Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost airline with its headquarters located in Swords, Dublin, Ireland. It is operating with a fleet size of 563 aircraft in about 222 destinations all over the world.
Ryan Air made this list of the world’s largest airlines due to the revenue earned, assets owned, and passengers carried. Ryan Air is operating with a strength of 19000 employees. Their revenue as of January 2023 is up to $11 Billion, net income earned is $1.314 Billion, Assets owned are $16.406 Billion and equity is up to $5.643 Billion.
9. International Airlines Group
International Airlines Group is known as International Consolidated Airlines Group popularly called IAG. This is a multinational Anglo-Spanish airline with its headquarters located in London, England, and its registered office in Madrid, Spain. IAG was founded on 21 January 2011 and has a frequent flier program termed Avios.
International Airlines Group operates in 256 destinations with a fleet of 558 aircraft. IAG carries around up to 94 Million passengers in a year. Along with the airline services, IAG also offers Air freight services and passenger air transport services. International Airlines Group has a staff of 59,505 employees. The revenue generated as of last year by the airline is up to $23.06 Billion. The net income and operating income are $0.431 Billion and $1.256 Billion respectively. These factors make the position of IAG strong in the list of biggest airlines in the world.
10. Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines which is the flag carrier of Turkey also makes the list of largest airlines in the world. It was founded on 20 May 1993 and its headquarters are located in Atatürk Airport Yeşilköy, Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish Airlines is serving 340 destinations around the globe with 400 aircraft. The destination served alone makes this airline the largest carrier in terms of destinations traveled to.
Turkish Airlines has a frequent flyer program known as Miles and Smiles and its hub is located in Istanbul Airport. A total of 40,264 employees are working with Turkish Airlines to make your journey a memorable one.
In terms of revenue generated as of January 2023, Turkish Airlines made $19.68 Billion, the market capitalization is $8.88 Billion, the profit made is $2.79 Billion and assets value up to $32 Billion. These statistics help Turkish Airlines stand in the race for the world’s largest airline.
11. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is the flag carrier airline of Qatar that was founded on 22 November 1993. Its headquarters are located in Qatar Airways Towers, Doha, and its hub is in Hamad International Airport.
Qatar Airways operates with 254 Aircraft in a total of 160 destinations worldwide.
A total of 50,110 employees are working with Qatar Airways to provide you with a world-class experience. The revenue generated up to last year is $20.9 Billion, and the net profit is up to $1.21 Billion. These factors make the standing of
12. Air Canada
Air Canada makes the list due to its fleet size and the number of passengers carried per year. Air Canada is the largest and flag carrier airline of Canada founded on 10 April 1937. Its headquarters are located in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada.
Air Canada is a founding member of the frequent flyer program known as Aeroplan. The airline operates globally in 222 destinations with 353 aircraft. Its hubs are located in Vancouver International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Montreal Trudeau International Airport.
Air Canada is operating with a total of 19,800 employees. The revenue generated is $12.72 Billion, Market Capitalization is $5.33 Billion and the assets measure up to $21.78 Billion. All of these matrixes help Air Canada land a position in the list of biggest airlines in the world.
All of the information mentioned here is to narrow down the Top 12 Largest Airlines In The World. This list will help you get a better idea about the airlines mentioned here. So if you are planning a trip, you can fly with one of the mentioned largest airlines in the world. Safe Travels!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Delta Airlines bags the first position as the largest airline in the world with a total of 54 Billion revenue earned.
There are certain factors such as market capitalization, asset value, and revenue that make Delta Airlines stand out in the list of biggest airlines in the world.
As of now Emirates, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines are the ones dominating the air industry based on various factors.
As of now, Turkey is operating in most countries about 129 around the globe with the most destinations covering about 340 in total.
The highest fleet size of 945 aircraft is of Delta Airlines as of today.
