If you have ever seen a large transport aircraft at an airport, the sheer impact of the sight is likely unforgettable. A fuselage stretching tens of meters, a vertical stabilizer towering higher than a four- or five-story building, and four roaring engines lifting over a hundred tons of steel into the sky-this isn't science fiction; it is reality unfolding every day.
Today, let's talk about some of the large jet transport aircraft currently in service around the world. Some have been flying for over half a century, while others entered service less than a decade ago. Although they may look similar at first glance, each model has a distinct role, set of capabilities, and history.
I. An-124 "Ruslan": From Runner-Up to Top Dog
Let's start with this "colossus."
The An-124 was developed by the Soviet Union's Antonov Design Bureau and officially entered service in 1986. It boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 405 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 150 tons. To put that in perspective: a single An-124 can carry two and a half heavy main battle tanks.
An-124 "Ruslan" Large Transport Aircraft – Stunning Perspective, High-Definition Photos (Sohu News)
Following the destruction of the one-and-only An-225, the An-124 has become the largest transport aircraft currently in active service worldwide. Its cargo hold volume exceeds 1,000 cubic meters, and it handles 90% of the world's air transport for oversized cargo. Whether it's massive transformers, aircraft fuselages, or rocket components, if you need to ship it, the An-124 can almost certainly handle the job.
An-124 "Ruslan" Large Transport Aircraft – Stunning Perspective, High-Definition Photos (Sohu News)
Currently, both Russia and Ukraine operate the An-124; Russia has approximately 38 aircraft, while Ukraine has six. However, production ceased years ago, with the final new aircraft delivered in 2004. Compounded by the disruption of the D-18T engine supply chain following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the number of operational An-124s is bound to dwindle over time.
II. C-5 "Galaxy": The US Air Force's Ultimate Heavy Lifter
Having covered the Soviet model, let's turn to the American one. C-5 "Galaxy" Transport Aircraft
The C-5 "Galaxy" is manufactured by Lockheed Martin and entered service in 1970. It is the U.S. Air Force's largest transport aircraft, boasting a maximum takeoff weight of 381 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 130 tons.
A distinctive feature of the C-5 is that both its nose and tail can open, allowing cargo to be loaded and unloaded directly from both ends with high efficiency. It has participated in every U.S. overseas military operation and stands as a symbol of U.S. global power projection capabilities.
The C-5 Galaxy-a large strategic transport aircraft that has served for over half a century-remains the cornerstone of U.S. military strategic airlift!
Currently, the U.S. Air Force operates 52 C-5M "Super Galaxy" aircraft. These are all upgraded versions of the C-5B and C-5C models, re-equipped with new CF6 engines. The upgraded C-5M offers 22% more thrust and a 30% shorter takeoff distance. The U.S. Air Force plans to keep them in service beyond 2040, by which time the airframes will have exceeded 50 years of service life.
III. C-17 "Globemaster": An All-Rounder Capable of Both Combat and Transport
The C-17 was designed and manufactured by Boeing and entered service in 1993. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 285 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 77 tons.
C-17 Globemaster III Transport Aircraft Taking Off - iAirForce
The C-17's greatest advantage is its ability to perform both strategic and tactical transport missions. Simply put, it can transport cargo from the U.S. mainland to major airports worldwide while also landing and unloading on austere runways in combat zones. Its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities are exceptional, offering greater operational flexibility than the C-5 or the An-124.
C-17 Globemaster III Transport Aircraft - iAirForce
Currently, there are 276 C-17 aircraft in service worldwide. The U.S. Air Force operates 222 of these aircraft; they are also used by the UK, Australia, Canada, India, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and the NATO Heavy Airlift Wing.
However, the C-17 production line closed in 2015, and production will not be restarted. The existing fleet is expected to remain in service until around 2070. The U.S. Air Force is already considering a new transport aircraft to replace both the C-5 and the C-17.
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IV. Y-20 "Fat Girl": The Youngest World-Class Contender
Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and manufactured by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC), the Y-20 officially entered service in July 2016. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 220 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 66 tons.
Official release of rare interior footage of the Y-20; the era of heavy reliance on Russian-made transport aircraft is gone forever | Transport Aircraft | Y-20 | Official | Sina News
The Y-20 is China's first domestically developed 200-ton class large transport aircraft. Early models utilized Russian-made D-30 engines, while the latest Y-20B variant has been upgraded with domestically produced WS-20 turbofan engines, increasing thrust per engine from 12.5 tons to 16 tons. With this engine upgrade, the Y-20B has fully met its original design specifications, achieving significant improvements in both payload capacity and range.
Why does the Y-20 evoke such a strong emotional response among military enthusiasts? | iFeng.com
The Y-20 fleet has expanded rapidly. Since entering service, the fleet size has surpassed 80 aircraft, with some estimates suggesting it has exceeded 140. The annual production capacity of XAC's pulse assembly line has risen to over 20 aircraft. The Y-20B is currently the only 200-ton class transport aircraft in production worldwide.
Beyond transport duties, the Y-20 platform has spawned variants such as the YY-20 aerial refueling tanker. The Y-20 played a critical role in the 2020 COVID-19 relief efforts in Wuhan and the 2022 relief mission following the volcanic eruption in Tonga. V. Il-76 "Straightforward": A Classic That Endures
The Il-76 was designed and manufactured by the Soviet Union's Ilyushin Aviation Complex and entered service in 1976. It boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 210 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 60 tons.
Russian Il-76 Transport Aircraft (Photo) – Sohu News
The Il-76 is one of the most prolific large transport aircraft in history. Produced in massive numbers during the Soviet era, it remains in service in Russia, China (where it is being gradually phased out), and dozens of other countries. The latest upgraded variant, the Il-76MD-90A (also known as the Il-476), is equipped with PS-90A-76 engines, boosting its payload capacity to 60 tons. In 2025, the Russian Aerospace Forces took delivery of seven new Il-76MD-90A aircraft.
VI. An-225 "Dream": A Legend Lost
Finally, one must mention the An-225.
It was the largest transport aircraft ever built by humanity, featuring a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 250 tons. With a wingspan of 88 meters, it was powered by six engines. It made its maiden flight in 1988, having been originally designed to carry the Soviet *Buran* space shuttle.
A Product of the Space Race: The An-225, Known as the World's Largest Transport Aircraft, with a Takeoff Weight of 640 Tons | Buran | Transport Aircraft | Dream – Sina News
The only intact An-225 was destroyed during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war; it was struck by artillery while parked at Hostomel Airport near Kyiv. Ukraine has expressed plans to rebuild it, but funding, technology, and supply chain issues present massive obstacles. This aerial behemoth has likely made its final flight.
In Conclusion
Looking at these five large transport aircraft, an interesting pattern emerges: the US C-5 and C-17 form the most comprehensive system, with one handling strategic airlift of oversized cargo and the other managing flexible deployment; Russia's An-124 possesses the greatest payload capacity but lacks a successor; and China's Y-20 is the youngest, currently in a phase of rapid fleet expansion. You might not notice transport aircraft in everyday life, but in the event of natural disasters, international conflicts, or large-scale evacuations, the size and capability of a nation's transport fleet-specifically how much cargo they can carry and how far they can fly-directly determine its power projection capabilities.
With the An-225 gone and production lines for the An-124 and C-17 closed-and the C-5 nearing retirement-the global fleet of heavy transport aircraft is entering a transitional phase where aging veterans are gradually giving way to new contenders. Can the Y-20 successfully pick up the baton? What will the next generation of super-heavy transport aircraft look like? These are questions worth watching closely.
Which country do you think is most likely to build a new-generation "aerial behemoth" surpassing the An-124 within the next decade?
