Simviation Forums

Hiya

Saw somwthing the other day and it got me thinking. Which airline has the largest fleet? and also what airline has the largest route network?

Born_2_fly

largest fleet and network before 1991: aeroflot.
after 1991 passed by CAAC until they split up into separate airlines (china northern, china southern)
now: no idea, most likely Delta or AA

I would have thought BA to have one of the largest fleets.

Woodlouse, thats the impression I was under, Ba possibly having both the biggest fleet and route network. But i thought i ask just to see if i was right.

Born_2_fly

i think the KLM-Air France alliance has the largest fleet right now. when they got together, everybody told it would be the biggest airline in the world.  ;)

Per Air Transport World, July 2004:

OPERATING FLEET SIZE

1. American 754
2. United 517
3. Delta 494
4. Northwest 431
5. Southwest 393

hope that helps. the numbers are mainline only and dont include regionals

I find it hard to believe that the five biggest airlines are all american. When compiling that list did they look anywhere else?

I find it hard to believe that the five biggest airlines are all american. When compiling that list did they look anywhere else?

yeah, i think i've read somewhere that BA had little over 400 aircraft...why aren't they in the list?  ;)

ok top 10 according to air transport world.
I dont mean to be rude but instead of guessing try google first, these numbers took 30 seconds to search for.
1. AA-754
2. UA-517
3. DL-494
4. NW-431
5. WN-393
6. CO-351
7. AF+KL-347
8. Fed Ex-321
9. US-280
10.BA-228

remember BA and various other fleets have been cut since 9/11

we don't need google Craig, we have you!  ;)

LOL but i am usually wrong, its always nice to have confirmation.

LOL but i am usually wrong, its always nice to have confirmation.

Does the BA total include all the franchise fleets too?

Charlie

i believe all these dont include the franchise fleets as you call them. I doubt the list would be much differant if they did. AA would be well over a 1000. BA would prob jump fed-ex and southwest though. but the others all have pretty strong regionals. assuming i am understanding your question correctly

So these figures don't include regional/domestic flights? How can they be accurate?

no they include planes in the fleet of the carrier themself. This was what was asked in the original question not who has the most flights. For instance for AA that means just AA's aircraft, not ther offshoot companies like American eagle or deltas comair or Northwests MESBA. its just the numbers in the mainline fleet. Or so i have been lead to believe. So if BA flys their mainline aircraft internally then they will be included.(737's A320's included)