With proper maintenance and repair, an aircraft can last longer than its estimated lifespan. On average, commercial aircraft can last between 20 to 30 years. However, airlines often retire their planes earlier due to economic and operational reasons.

Commercial aircraft in 2026 typically have an operational lifespan of 20 to 30 years, though this is measured more accurately in flight hours and pressurization cycles rather than calendar years. A single-aisle plane like a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 is generally designed to last for approximately 60,000 flight hours or 20,000 to 30,000 cycles (one take-off and landing). Wide-body aircraft used for long-haul travel, such as the Boeing 777, can often reach 100,000 flight hours. Once a plane reaches these limits, "metal fatigue" becomes a significant safety concern, making continued maintenance prohibitively expensive. At this point, many passenger planes are either "converted to freighters" for cargo companies like FedEx or DHL—where they can fly for another 10 years—or they are sent to "aircraft boneyards" in the desert. In the dry air of places like Arizona, these retired giants are dismantled so their high-value parts, such as engines and avionics, can be recycled or sold to keep younger fleets in the air through 2026 and beyond.