Sign up here for GlobalData's free bi-weekly Covid-19 report on the latest information your industry needs to know.

The Boeing 777-200LR is the world’s longest range airliner with a range of 17,395km (9,395nmi). The aircraft was rolled out by Boeing in February 2005 and can carry 301 passengers in a typical three-class configuration.

The 777-200LR (Long Range) made its first flight in March 2005 and received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in February 2006. The first aircraft entered service with Pakistan International Airlines in March 2006.

The aircraft is integrated with three optional body fuel tanks, enabling such a long range. It can fly between long haul destinations such as New York-Singapore, Perth-London, New York-Auckland, Chicago-Sydney and Miami-Taipei. The GE90-110B1 or GE90-115BL turbofans provide the aircraft with a cruise speed of 0.84 Mach at 35,000ft altitude.

Airbus A340-500

The A340-500 is the world’s second longest range airliner, allowing for a maximum distance of 16,670km (9,000nmi) with flight durations of up to 19 hours.



The A340-500 took to the sky for its first flight in February 2002 and made its debut with Emirates in December 2003. The aircraft has capacity to house a maximum of 375 passengers.

Four RR Trent 500 engines, each generating a thrust of up to 249kN, provide a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.86 to the aircraft, while the fuel tanks can hold up to 222,850 litres.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with a range of 14,800km to 15,750km (8,000nmi to 8,500nmi), stands third among the 10 longest range airliners in the world. Developed as a slightly larger variant of the 787-8, the aircraft can carry up to 290 passengers.

The 787-9 Dreamliner completed its maiden flight in September 2013 and is scheduled to enter service with Air New Zealand in mid-2014. Boeing has received orders for 396 787-9s from 26 customers to date.

The power-plant of the 787-9 aircraft consists of two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 or two General Electric GEnx-1B engines, ensuring the aircraft can take-off with a maximum weight of 250,836kg and travel at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85.

The Airbus A380, known as the world’s biggest passenger aircraft for its massive passenger capacity of 853 passengers, is also one of the longest range airliners, with a range of up to 15,700km (8,477nmi).

The A380 (earlier A3XX) programme was launched in December 2000 and the first flight was successfully conducted in April 2005. The first A380 entered service with launch customer Singapore Airlines in October 2007.

The aircraft is equipped with four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines or four Engine Alliance GP7200 engines. The power-plant provides a maximum speed of 945km/h (Mach 0.89).

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with a range of 14,200 to 15,200km (7,650 to 8,200nmi), is the fifth longest range airliner in the world. It consumes less fuel compared to similarly-sized aircraft and can carry up to 250 passengers.

The 787-8 Dreamliner programme was launched in April 2004 and the first flight was made in December 2009. All Nippon Airways (ANA) took delivery of the first 787-8 aircraft in September 2011.

The aircraft is powered by two General Electric GEnx-1B engines or two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, developing a thrust of 329kN. These engines ensure a cruise speed of Mach 0.85, while offering reduced fuel consumption.

The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental’s (747-8I) range of 14,815km (8,000nmi) makes it the sixth longest range airliner in the world. It can carry 467 passengers in three-class configuration between the typical city pairs of New York-Hong Kong, Los Angeles-Mumbai and London-Singapore.

The 747-8I is the largest passenger aircraft in the 747 series. The aircraft completed its maiden flight in March 2011 and the first 747-8I was handed to launch customer Lufthansa in June 2012.

The airliner is equipped with four General Electric GEnx-2B67 engines, each developing a maximum thrust of 66,500lb. The 747-8I has maximum cruising speed of Mach 0.855 at an altitude of 35,000ft.

Airbus A350-1000

The Airbus A350-1000, with a designed range of 14,800km (8,000nmi), ranks as the seventh longest range passenger aircraft in the world. It is the largest version of the A350 XWB family, accommodating 369 passengers in a two-class cabin layout.

Airbus received 176 orders for A350-1000 aircraft to date. The first aircraft is expected to enter service in 2017. The aircraft can even carry 400 passengers when configured with higher-density layout.

Two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines with a rated power of 432kN each provide propulsion to the airliner. The power-plant enables the aircraft to attain a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.89.

The 14,600km range Airbus A340-600 is the eighth longest range passenger aircraft in the world. The airliner offers seating for 359 passengers in a typical three-class configuration.

The A340-600 made its first flight in April 2001. Virgin Atlantic Airways became the launch customer, taking delivery of the first aircraft in August 2002. More than 130 A34-600 aircraft have been delivered to date to customers across the world.

The power-plant includes four Rolls-Royce Trent 550 engines generating a maximum thrust of 249kN. The airliner flies at a maximum speed of Mach 0.86.

Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) is the ninth longest range aircraft, flying up to 14,490km (7,825nmi). It can carry 386 passengers in typical three-class cabin layout. The aircraft can operate for up to 15 hours between long haul destinations such as Los Angeles-Sydney, New York-Hong Kong, Singapore-London, Paris-Los Angeles and Dubai-New York.

The 777-300ER was rolled out by Boeing in September 1996. The aircraft completed its maiden flight in October 1996. British Airways was the launch customer, taking the first 777-300ER delivery in February 1997.

The aircraft is powered by General Electric GE90-115B engines generating a thrust of 115,300lb (512kN). The typical cruise speed of the aircraft at 35,000ft altitude is Mach 0.84.

Airbus A350-900

The Airbus A350-900 is the tenth longest range airliner reaching a maximum distance of up to 14,350km (8,250nmi). It is one of the variants in the A350 XWB family. The aircraft can accommodate 315 passengers in a two-class seating configuration.

The maiden flight of the A350-900 took place in June 2013 and the first aircraft is expected to enter service with Qatar Airways in the second half of 2014. Airbus has received 509 orders for A350-900 aircraft to date.

The A350-900 is fitted with two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines generating a thrust of 374kN. The aircraft has been designed to deliver exceptional fuel economy and attain a maximum speed of 945km/h (Mach 0.89).

Related content

Airbus and Boeing currently build the biggest passenger airplanes in the world, with the Airbus A380-800 and its rival the 777-300.

Aerospace-technology compares the two aerospace behemoths Airbus and Boeing and tries to envisage what the future holds for them.