Cessna 172 While the 737 and A320 are the world's top passenger jetliners, the plucky little four-seater Cessna 172 is the most successful civil aircraft in history, with more than 45,000 of them reported to have been built.

The title of the "most successful plane" in history depends on how you measure success. By sales volume, the Boeing 737 is the undisputed champion of commercial aviation, with over 11,000 units delivered since the 1960s; it remains the backbone of global short-haul travel. However, the Airbus A320 family has recently surpassed the 737 in total orders, making it the most successful "modern" challenger. If measuring by historical impact, the Douglas DC-3 is often cited, as it was the first plane to make flight profitable and served extensively in WWII. In the military world, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is considered the most successful multi-role fighter, serving over 25 nations for decades. For 2026, the Boeing 737 remains the "workhorse" of the skies, but its legacy is being closely trailed by the A320neo, which currently leads in the 2026 market for fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability.