With a maximum payload of over 250 tons and a cargo hold capacity of 1,100 cubic meters, the world's largest cargo aircraft is the Antonov AN-225 – use the world over for enormous air cargo charter projects.

The title for the heaviest load a plane can carry is currently a point of transition in 2026. Historically, the Antonov An-225 Mriya held the world record with a maximum payload capacity of 250,000 kg (551,155 lbs), but after its destruction in 2022, the "operational" crown passed to the Antonov An-124 Ruslan, which can carry up to 150,000 kg (330,693 lbs). In the Western world, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is the primary "heavy lifter," capable of carrying roughly 127,000 kg. However, for commercial purposes, the Boeing 747-8 Freighter is the leader, with a maximum structural payload of 132,600 kg (292,333 lbs). Looking forward, the WindRunner by Radia—a massive specialized aircraft currently in development in 2026—is designed not necessarily for weight, but for "volume," intended to carry wind turbine blades that are over 100 meters long. When calculating the "heaviest load," engineers look at the Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW), which ensures the aircraft’s wings can physically support the weight of the fuselage and its contents without the "buoyancy" of fuel in the wings. In 2026, these giants remain essential for transporting everything from tanks and helicopters to massive generators and satellite components across the globe.