How many aircraft does an airline have?
Which airlines operate the largest fleets in Europe? In this article, you’ll discover the top 8 largest European commercial airlines, ranked by fleet size.
Overview of the number of aircraft per airline, based on the most recently available data.
1: Lufthansa Group
– 735 aircraft
The Lufthansa Group is the largest airline group in Europe. The group consists of several European airlines, including Lufthansa Airlines (387 aircraft), SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. Thanks to this broad structure, Lufthansa operates a strong global network.
2: Ryanair Group
– 643 aircraft
The Ryanair Group is the world’s largest low-cost airline group. With subsidiaries such as Ryanair, Malta Air, Buzz, Lauda, and Ryanair UK, the group operates a total fleet of 643 aircraft. Ryanair alone has more than 340 aircraft in service.
3: International Airlines Group (IAG)
– 625 aircraft
International Airlines Group (IAG) is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL. With 625 aircraft, IAG ranks among the world’s largest airline groups, with British Airways operating the largest fleet within the group.
4: Air France–KLM
– 574 aircraft
The Air France–KLM airline group operates a fleet of 574 aircraft. The fleet is divided among Air France (including Hop), KLM, KLM Cityhopper, and Transavia (the Netherlands and France). The group plays a central role in both European and intercontinental aviation.
5: Turkish Airlines
– 388 aircraft
Turkish Airlines is Turkey’s largest airline and a major global player. With a fleet of 388 aircraft, the airline operates one of the world’s most extensive route networks, with Istanbul serving as its main hub.
6: EasyJet
– 356 aircraft
EasyJet operates a fleet of 356 aircraft, focusing primarily on short- and medium-haul flights within Europe.
7: Wizz Air
– 207 aircraft
Wizz Air is a rapidly growing ultra low-cost airline with a fleet of 207 aircraft. The airline is particularly active in Central and Eastern Europe and continues to expand its network and fleet at a fast pace.
8: TUI Group
– 125 aircraft
The TUI Group rounds out the top 8 with 125 aircraft, operated by various TUI fly subsidiaries such as TUI fly Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. The group primarily focuses on leisure and holiday flights.
In short
The world’s largest airlines, measured by fleet size, clearly demonstrate how scale plays a crucial role in the modern aviation industry. Large airline groups such as the Lufthansa Group, Ryanair Group, and IAG benefit from their size by operating more efficiently, spreading costs, and offering a wide network of destinations.
By: Rico Valkenborgh | March 5, 2026
Top 8 biggest airlines in Europe
Which airlines operate the largest fleets in Europe? In this article, you’ll discover the top 8 largest European commercial airlines, ranked by fleet size.
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