Top 10 Largest Airplanes in USA

The sole look of a large aircraft can be fascinating. Visitors of airports gaze in awe when a massive airplane takes off with ease, lifting unbelievable weight to the air. Let’s find out more about gigantic airplanes, which comprise a list of top 10 largest airplanes in US aviation by length.

1. Boeing Pelican / 121.9 m

The leading position of our rating is given to a concept airplane proposed by Boeing Phantom Works. Although no functional prototypes have been built since the project start in early 2000’s, this aircraft model should perfectly fit purposes of large-capacity transportation of either civilian or military cargo, and should be able to lift off and land on water.

2. Lockheed L–2000 / 83.26 m

The initiative of designing this aircraft arose in 1961 out of competition with famous French supersonic airplane Concorde. John F. Kennedy himself supported subsidizing of L-2000 development. It was designed to carry 250 passengers at speeds of Mach 2.7–3.0 (over 2,000 mph). Unfortunately, economical reasons lead to cancellation of the project, but it is remembered.

3. Boeing 747–8 / 76.4 m

The third position of top 10 largest airplanes in US aviation is currently held by the latest modification of Boeing’s flagship. The first flight of this wide-body jet passenger airliner occurred in 2010, but it was not publicly introduced until late 2011. Being a large-capacity civil aircraft, it can accommodate any modern transportation tasks.

4. Airbus A340–600 series / 75.36 m

This aircraft was developed and manufactured as a competitor of Boeing 747, providing more cargo capacity while having the same amount of passenger seats. A340 handled competition well, as it offered lower trip costs. However it lost its superior status after 747–8 entered the stage.

5. Lockheed C–5 Galaxy / 75.31 m

This military-oriented transportation aircraft is primarily intended for intercontinental flights. The airplane takes advantage of advanced avionics, and has life sustenance facilities on board, which allows it to serve as a flying hospital.

6. Boeing 777–300 / 74.9 m

Another Boeing’s aircraft in the list was developed as a modernized version of 747-100. Comparing to its predecessors, this passenger airliner required 40% lower budget on maintenance, while also offering a 33% fuel saving. Many 777–300’s are being in service now around the world.

7. Hughes H–4 Hercules / 66.5 m

Although only one operating example of this heavy transport airplane had been ever manufactured, it had many outstanding peculiarities which could ensure decent performance in a wide variety of transportation tasks. Precondition of its development was the need of US troops transportation to Britain in times of World War II.

8. McDonnel Douglas MD–12 / 63.4 m

This is an interesting concept aircraft based on the idea of double-decker layout. Although the project was cancelled due to lack of orders on production, it had very competitive characteristics and non-standard features like a panoramic front window for passengers on the lower deck.

9. XB–70 Valkyrie / 56.64 m

This one was a serious military machine, a deep-penetration aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. It was another incarnation of the long thin delta body configuration seen among supersonic aircrafts.

10. Convair XC–99 / 56.39 m

This last machine in the list of top 10 largest airplanes in US aviation is recognized as the biggest piston-engined transport airplane ever constructed. It was based on design of the B-36 bomber and performed its first flight in 1947.