The largest airlines in the world. Rating of world airlines by passenger turnover and fleet size. The largest airlines in the world How many airlines are there in the world

It is very interesting to watch how society develops and evolves with all the ensuing consequences. For example, several centuries ago no one would have thought that a person could fly. But I could. And now it is very difficult to imagine the modern world without air travel. This type of transport communication allows one to cover enormous distances in a relatively short period of time. In order for people to travel, the world's infrastructure requires the existence of airlines. These companies are responsible for organizing aviation work and various types of air transportation. Let's look at a few giants and find out which is the largest airline in the world.

American Airlines plane

The emergence of the first official airline occurred in the last century. The prototype of modern air carriers was an organization that owned a fleet of several airships. Back in 1909, airplanes were not yet such a reliable means of transportation through the air.

10 years later, the world's first airline in the modern sense of the word was founded in Holland. The airline's first route was a flight from the capital of the Netherlands to the capital of Great Britain. Flight Amsterdam - London is the oldest existing air service. 5 years later, the longest flight was the Amsterdam-Jakarta flight. Another 10 years later, passenger flights across the Atlantic became possible. And 15 years later the first flight to Australia took place. After this, the development of the air transportation industry took leaps and bounds.

Now there are a lot of airlines in the world that differ in scale, localization, internal policies and passenger traffic. Moreover, in almost every country you can find several operating airlines. Demand creates supply. The tendency to explore new countries and cultures is growing stronger every year.

Indeed, the travel and tourism industry is developing at breakneck speed. There are several million air flights in the world every year. Therefore, a large number of companies carrying out air transportation is completely justified. Some of these companies are in great demand, and some are not very popular.

In this article we will look at the largest airlines in the world according to Forbes magazine and their brief characteristics.

Delta Airlines plane

"Delta Air Lines"

It is the largest airline in the United States, serving approximately 311 million passengers annually. The history of the company begins in 1924. Starting with air freight for farmers, Delta Airlines grew into an airline tycoon. Currently, the company flies to 96 countries and connects all continents (except Antarctica) by airspace.

The company has at its disposal:

several subsidiary aircraft concerns;
a network of its own hub airports throughout the United States;
a vast number of aircraft.

Delta Airlines mainly uses different Boeing models for flights. The aircraft in the company's fleet are on average 14 years old.

"American Airlines"

Another American airline that is included in the list of the largest airlines in the world is "American Airlines"("American Airlines"). The following is known about her:

The company's passenger turnover is approximately 202 million passengers per km.
It is the leader in air transportation between the United States and Latin American countries.
The company's fleet consists of about 615 aircraft, most of which are McDonnell Douglas aircraft.

American Airlines is notorious for the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, that took place on its flights.

United Airlines plane

United Airlines and others

Third place in the list of the world's largest air carriers is occupied by another American airline - United Airlines("United Airlines"). The company's estimated passenger turnover is 165 million passengers per km. The company's Aeroflot fleet consists of 360 aircraft. United Airlines serves more than two hundred different destinations. Both in the USA and in other countries. The company's main airport is in Chicago.

Emirates plane

In fourth place on the list is the UAE airline - Emirates(“Emirates”) The airline's headquarters, as well as its main hub, are located in Dubai. The company's passenger turnover is just over 146 million passengers per km. Emirates operates scheduled flights to countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. The company's Aeroflot fleet consists of 150 aircraft - Airbuses and Boeings.

Lufthansa plane

In fifth place is a German airline Lufthansa(Lufthansa). The company's passenger turnover is more than 129 million passengers per km. Lufthansa provides air transportation all over the world. This is facilitated by a developed network of branches in most countries. The company's main headquarters are located in Munich and Frankfurt. The company sends flights to dozens of countries every day. The company's fleet includes more than 265 aircraft - Boeings and Airbuses.

Logo "Air France - KLM"

Other well-known companies

Sixth place in the list is occupied by a European holding "Air France - KLM". The airline is the brainchild of the national French airline and Dutch airlines. The merger of the companies took place in 2004. Currently, the airline flies to numerous destinations, and flight routes cover more than 90 countries. The main headquarters of the holding are located in Marseille, Amsterdam and Bordeaux. The company's Aeroflot fleet includes more than 250 airliners.

China Southern Airlines plane

In seventh place - "China Southern Airlines"(“China Southern Airlines”), with a passenger turnover of more than 111 million passengers per km. The airline provides flights to countries in Europe, Africa, Australia, North America and New Zealand. The company's aircraft fleet consists of Boeings and Airbuses and has about 325 aircraft.

British Airways plane

The eighth place is occupied by the national carrier of Great Britain - "British Airways"("British Airways"). The airline's central headquarters and headquarters are located in London. The airline's passenger traffic, according to the latest data, amounted to 106 million passengers per km. British Airways flies to more than 200 destinations around the world. The aircraft fleet includes more than 275 airliners.

We looked at the largest airlines in the world. If you are interested in a specific company, you can find its website. On airline websites you can often find not only general information, but also great deals.

In contact with

International airlines never tire of improving their service, trying to win first positions. The “best of the best” impress passengers with many things: chairs with massagers, menus from chefs, the ability to check the weather from robots, and even babysitting services for children. Qatar Airways is renowned for its excellent business class and first class lounge. Among European air carriers, Lufthansa stands out. And the main thing is that each airline has its own “face” and its own philosophy. In this review we have collected the top 10.

10. Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia, which has been operating since 1947, opens the ranking of the best airlines in the world. The unusual name is associated with the mythical bird of the god Vishnu - Garuda (symbol of Indonesia). The airline carries passengers to 12 countries. Customers note the high level of cleanliness and friendly service. The headquarters of the Indonesian airline is located at the capital's Soekarno-Hatta Airport. There are private waiting rooms where you can have a snack and connect to the Internet.

Lufthansa is the national carrier of Germany and one of the largest and best airlines in the world. It has been operating since 1926 and owns the world's second largest aircraft fleet, consisting of 700 aircraft. The airline’s network of routes is also quite wide - 410 points to which flights are carried out (Europe, Asia, Africa, America).

Customers can use one of three classes: first, business and economy. There are a number of promotions and additional services. For corporate clients – “Star Alliance Company Plus”, for private passengers – “Star Alliance”. The merits of Lufthansa were noted in 1997 by inviting it to the prestigious airline alliance StarAlliance.

Qantas Airways is one of the best airlines in Australia, nicknamed the “Flying Kangaroo”. It is one of the oldest in the world (founded in the 20s), second only to KLM and Avianca. Qantas Airways' activities began with air transportation. Today the company is based in Sydney and is the second largest airline in Australia (ahead of KLM). The average age of aircraft is 10 years. The route goes to 140 cities. Qantas Airways is considered one of the safest airlines in the world. The aircraft are equipped with video and audio systems for customer entertainment. An interesting service for passengers is the opportunity to try a dish from the country they are traveling to.

EVA Air is a Taiwanese airline established in the 80s. Located at Tai'an Taoyuan Airport, it operates domestic and international flights. EVA Air's destinations include Asia, Europe, North Africa and Australia (about 70 destinations). It is the second largest airline in Taiwan.

EVA Air has implemented robotic customer service at Taoyuan and Songshan airports. Robot Robert, after scanning the ticket, can communicate with the client - provide information about the departure, weather, promotions and company bonuses. You can dance with the robot, take photos together, or play games. It is also interesting that on some planes, airline employees fly in liveries with images of cartoon characters. For example, Hello Kitty.

EVA Air aircraft offer 3 classes of service: economy, premium economy and business. It is worth noting flight safety - EVA Air aircraft were not involved in major aircraft accidents.

One of the most popular airlines in the world, Turkish Airlines, began operating in 1933 and is based in Istanbul. At first it was a national carrier, but today 49% of the shares belong to the state and 51% to private owners. There are two service options to choose from: economy and business. The geography of routes covers 220 foreign airports in Europe, America, Asia and Africa (80 countries in total). The company has the youngest fleet of aircraft - on average 3.5 years old. During the flight, passengers are offered snacks, Turkish meze and dessert. Turkish Airlines is focused on medium-haul flights.

5. Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is in the middle of the world airline rankings. This is a national company of the UAE, operating since 2003. It was created by decree of the sheikh. The headquarters is located in Abu Dhabi. In just 5 years of existence, Etihad Airways has increased the number of passengers by 6 million. It is the fastest growing airline in the world, which was facilitated by the Skytrax award: in 2016, the air carrier was awarded for the quality of first class (including in-flight meals and seats).

The name Etihad Airways means "union", implying the relationship between passengers and the airline. The Arab understanding of luxury is reflected in comfort during travel: in first class there is a two-meter chair-bed and a chef, in economy there is a touch screen and three dishes to choose from. During long trips, you are provided with an amenity kit (socks, toothpaste and brush, earplugs, sleep mask). Passengers with children can order babysitting services.

4. Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong airline flying to 51 countries (200 routes) in Asia, Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Cathay Pacific is one of only six airlines to be highly rated by Skytrax (5 stars). The airline has been operating since 1946 - it was opened by former Air Force pilots, an American and an Australian. Cathay Pacific was initially based in Shanghai, then moved to Hong Kong. The air fleet includes more than 90 aircraft (average age - 10 years). Entertainment for passengers includes cinema, music, magazines, and an airline boutique. On long flights, passengers are offered a night kit.

Singapore Airlines opens the top three airlines in the world. It has been operating since 1947 and provides flight services to 35 countries (more than 60 cities). Changi Airport (Singapore) is the base airport. If a passenger transits through it, he will be offered a free two-hour tour. Singapore Airlines is guided by the philosophy that passengers should have the most comfortable experience on board the aircraft. Even economy class passengers will appreciate the high level of comfort during the flight: plenty of legroom, multimedia, monitors. You can use the Internet or watch a movie. The airline has more than a hundred aircraft in its fleet, but not a single aircraft has been in operation for more than five years.

Qatar Airways is ranked 2nd in the list of the best airlines in the world. It is the national airline of Qatar and is headquartered in Doha. Flights are carried out to five continents - more than 130 destinations (all international). The average age of aircraft is 5 years. In 2017, Qatar Airways launched the world's longest flight, from Qatar to New Zealand.

According to the rating of the British resource Skytrax, Qatar Airways is a 5-star airline. Passengers are seated on wide seats with a massage function. Each person has their own blanket, pillow and headphones. There is an entertainment center with the ability to watch movies, listen to music and use the Internet.

Qatar Airways customers note the variety of the menu: rice, stewed vegetables, salads, sandwiches. Transit passengers are offered to spend time not at the airport, but in a hotel - the airline helps to obtain a temporary visa and provides a transfer (the service may be paid or free).

Emirates Airline tops our top 10 “best airlines in the world” ranking. The company was opened in the 80s in Dubai to develop UAE tourism. The Emirates Airline fleet (250 aircraft) is one of the youngest in the world. The average age of transport is 5.6 years.

The airline positions itself as a global carrier, operating regular flights to all continents of the planet. From the Dubai base airport you can fly to 140 cities. Emirates Airline ranks first in the total number of international flights.

Emirates Airline also does not forget about the quality of service. Most aircraft are equipped with entertainment centers: you can watch a movie, listen to music, play a game or follow an interactive flight map. Passengers with children are also taken care of: babies can watch takeoff and landing through the eyes of a pilot thanks to the Airshow channel, and parents with babies are given an essential kit with hygiene products.

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Air China Limited was created on the basis of its predecessor Air China and began operations on September 30, 2004, providing air transportation services under the control of the China Aviation Group. Air China is China's premier civil aviation carrier and a member of the world's largest airline. Star Alliance(28 airlines). Air China operates 284 passenger routes, including 72 international routes, 15 regional routes and 197 domestic routes, covering 29 countries and regions and 145 cities (45 international cities, 4 regional cities and 96 domestic cities).

Thanks to cooperation with the Star Alliance group of airlines, Air China's service area has expanded to 1,329 destinations in 194 countries. Air China operates special overseas flights for Chinese leaders and when foreign leaders and government officials wish to visit China, reaffirming the company's exceptional status as the nation's premier carrier. Air China's goal is to become a "globally recognized airline", which includes four strategic objectives: global market leadership, continuous development of its own capabilities, providing a superior and seamless passenger experience, and continuous revenue growth. Air China is the first domestic civil airline to offer two luxury classes: First Class Forbidden Pavilion and Business Class Capital Pavilion. The benefits of these services on medium- and long-haul flights are “flat seats” and “impeccable service throughout the entire flight”, providing passengers with exceptional comfort and convenience, as well as attentive service. For six consecutive years (2007 - 2012), Air China was included in the list of "World's Top 500 Brands", becoming the only civil aviation company ever included in the list. On June 28, 2011, the international organization SKYTRAX awarded Air China 4 stars. On June 12, 2012, Air China was awarded the Fast Travel Gold Award at the 68th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and International Airline Summit.

Air China pays special attention to staff training. Air China's pilot training center provides world-class training. To conduct pilot training on real aircraft, the center is equipped with a Boeing 737-300 aircraft. The Flight Attendant Training Center is the first large-scale and multi-functional training base in China and has trained more than 80,000 specialists for 40 domestic and foreign airlines. Moreover, Air China University is being built, which will become a training base providing academic education to students.

As of December 31, 2012, Air China (the holding companies) owned 461 Boeing and Airbus class aircraft with an average operating life of 6.54 years.

Air China aircraft receive both special and standard maintenance. Air China has established an engineering and technical division headquartered in Beijing. This division consists of 9 service bases (Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Hohhot, Shanghai, Guiyang, Wuhan, Guangzhou), four subsidiaries, 100 local service centers and 54 international service centers, which form a service network throughout China and beyond. This division has at its disposal 10 large hangars equipped with the latest technology. By providing superior service at these centers, Air China has received the approval and trust of more than 80 airlines around the world. Since the late 1980s, Air China's aircraft division has made more than 20 technical breakthroughs in domestic maintenance and received more than 50 awards for scientific and technological achievements from national and regional ministries.

The twentieth century and technological progress allowed people to move from one point of the world to another in a matter of hours, while previously this process took many months, and the travel itself was fraught with a lot of dangers. Today everything is different. Thanks to airplanes, a person can cross the ocean in complete comfort and end up thousands of kilometers from the point of departure.

Airlines play an important role in organizing flights. It is their activities that allow people to travel so easily. Today there are many different airlines in the world, ranging from the smallest to large corporations, whose networks have intertwined the whole world. It is the latter that will be discussed in this material. We'll tell you what the largest airline is, and also tell you about nine other companies that deserve attention.

First place - Delta Airlinesincorporation (United States of America)

This company, which is also known as Delta, has its headquarters in Atlanta. DeltaAirLines is the largest member of the famous airline alliance called SkyTeam.

Delta is the world's largest operator in three areas. Firstly, the carrier has the largest fleet. Secondly, the company is a leader in the volume of air transportation. And third, Delta has a record number of possible routes to fly. With the help of the carrier's services, you can get to any of the continents except Antarctica. In 2009, the company began working with Australia. Planes also fly to Africa. It is the only US carrier to fly to the continent across the Atlantic Ocean.

Delta Airlines' main port is in Atlanta. It leads in the absolute number of passengers passed through it. Other major ports that operate with Delta Airlinesincorporation are: Northern Kentucky Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport (New York), and Salt Lake City Airport.

The carrier dates back to 1924. The company was then founded under the name Huff Daland Dusters. Its original activity was spraying chemicals over fields in agriculture. The first flight, the purpose of which was to transport passengers, took place in 1929. Since then, the company began to actively develop its activities in the civil aviation market.

Second place - American Airlines (United States of America)

American Airlines occupies second place in the air transportation market in the world. In one year, the company transports more than one hundred thousand people. The airline's main office is located in Texas. American Airlines has five main ports, the most important of which is Dallas International Airport. According to statistics, it accounts for more than eighty percent of all flights.

American Airlines was formed back in 1926. Then the company's first plane delivered mail from one state to another. Soon, more than eight dozen small air carriers united under the company’s wing. The airline was originally called American Airways, and it was only during World War II that it received its current name.

In 1937, the company sent its millionth customer on its way. After the war, the company began to actively develop branches in the European market. In addition, the airline began sending aircraft to Japan.

Third place - Southwest Airlines (United States of America)

Southwest Airlines is the leader in the low-cost market. The airline leads the world in the number of people transported. The airline's headquarters are in Texas. Today, the operator's fleet consists entirely of Boeing-737 aircraft. Southwest Airlines flies several thousand flights every day.

Initially, the company operated only within the state, sending people between regions of Texas. Today the company operates throughout the country. However, the carrier does not work with other countries. The fleet includes 684 aircraft. The number of routes that Southwest Airlines operates is 94.

In 2016, the carrier blocked access to its website to visitors from the Russian Federation. The exact reason for this decision is unknown, many people believe that this action has a political motive.

Fourth place - Emirates Airlines (United Arab Emirates)

This company has a monopoly on the market of the United Arab Emirates. The carrier is state-owned and was created at the end of the twentieth century with the aim of developing tourism. The airline purchased its first two aircraft in 1985. Already in the nineties, the number of aircraft in the fleet began to grow rapidly. Today the air carrier has more than two hundred ships. In addition, Emirates Airlines has ordered two hundred more aircraft from various manufacturers, which will enter service in the coming years.

The operator operates flights to all populated continents, including Africa, Australia, South and North America, Europe and Asia. In the spring of 2016, the airline's plane made a record flight, covering more than fourteen thousand kilometers in sixteen hours. The carrier carries out not only passenger but also cargo air transportation.

Fifth place - United Airlines (United States of America)

This carrier was created in 1926. The company became famous for being the first to offer its passengers meals on board. In addition, it was on the airliners of this carrier that the familiar flight attendants appeared. Today it is an expensive US airline, one of the largest on the planet.

The carrier also has a sad reputation. It was United Airlines that was the first to encounter terrorism in the air. In 1993, unknown assailants blew up a plane using a bomb hidden on board. In addition, it was the planes of this company that were hijacked by terrorists on September 9th.

Today, United Airlines employs more than fifty thousand people. The fleet includes more than four hundred aircraft. The main hubs with which the carrier operates are: Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Sixth place - Lufthansa (European Union)

The air carrier created in Germany is currently the largest in the European Union. Today, carriers from Sweden, Austria and Germany are united under the company’s wing. Lufthansa flies to 80 different countries. The number of routes exceeds two hundred. The company's fleet consists of 620 aircraft. Lufthansa's head office is located in Cologne.

The main hubs are located in Frankfurt and Munich.

Interestingly, until the end of the twentieth century, the airline was owned by the state. It was created in 1926. During World War II, all civilian flights were cut short. The company collaborated with the Nazis, so at the end of the war it was included in the stop lists of all advanced countries. In 1951, a state airline was created on the basis of Lufthansa, which received the name Aktiengesellschaft für Luftverkehrsbedarf. The former director became its manager. A few years later, the usual name returned.

The company is active in Russia, sending passengers on ten routes.

Seventh place - Air France (European Union)

The largest carrier in France. The company employs more than seven tens of thousands of people. Air France's main hub is Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport. The aircraft fleet numbers more than two hundred aircraft. The number of directions the carrier operates is 256.

AirFrance operates not only regional flights, but also long-haul flights. This organization was created in 1933. Initially, the airline operated cargo flights, but then switched to passenger aviation. AirFrance is a member of the major carrier alliance SkyTeam, which includes more than fifteen carriers, including the Russian Aeroflot.

The company's headquarters are located in Paris. The main destinations of the routes are large cities in Europe and the USA, such as New York, Berlin and London.

Eighth place - British Airways

British Airways is not only the largest carrier in the UK, but also one of the largest airlines in the world. Among other participants in this rating, in addition to Emirates Airlines, British Airways is the youngest. It was created in 1974. However, it was based on an already existing government agency. The company transports people, goods and mail.

British Airways was also state-owned for about a decade, until privatization began in 1981. At that time, many carriers were going through difficult times, and British Airways itself was suffering losses. However, the new management managed not only to bring the company to profit, but also to gain credibility throughout the world. In 2014, British Airways had a net profit of £702 million.

Ninth place - All Nippon Airways

The Japanese air carrier is famous not only for the volume of its traffic, but also for the authentic design of its aircraft, which are often painted with anime characters. The company was founded in 1952. Initially, it was engaged in transportation between the islands of Japan using helicopters, but soon the first airliners appeared in the company’s fleet. In 1986, All Nippon Airways began expanding into foreign markets. Flights were created to the USA, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Paris. Today, All Nippon Airways' fleet includes 188 ships. The number of routes is 71.

The headquarters of the corporation is located in a special district of Tokyo - Minato.

Tenth place - China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines is the largest civil aviation corporation in modern China. In 1996, the company began operating on long-haul routes. In 1997, a non-stop flight to Los Angeles was made, which was the first of its kind for a Boeing 777 aircraft.

In 2003, the company absorbed its main competitor in the domestic market, China Northern Airlines, thanks to which it began to dominate the domestic market. The fleet includes more than five hundred aircraft. Number of routes - 180.