Outsized aircraft are some of the most eye catching in the skies, carrying everything from unusual cargo to other aircraft, and even space vehicles. From the Airbus Beluga XL and the Boeing Dreamlifter and the dearly missed Antonov AN-225 Mriya, we have been blessed to see some truly unique aircraft take to the skies over the years – but which is your favorite and why?
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73 Responses
The Antonov. Always looked like the blue-collar worker saying “Get out of my way, I got work to do!” where the others just look like they are trying to be cute
AN-225 so grace full
Love the overkill of the wheels!!!
Hate to be the technician to fix a flat
Beautiful freighter
Seems like it would be easier than many other types. I expect it might be possible to partially retract the on strut that needs a tire change, without using any jacks.
AN225 I saw it in Perth many years ago. A real work horse.
It has to be the AN-225. I was hoping to see it!
I was on the ANN25. Truly remarkable unit
Worked for German pharmaceutical company with Production plant on Puerto Rico. During huge Hurricane back in mid 2000. Company needed to get Generators and supplies to the Island transport to factory on Mountain area
Inside that Beast unbelievable space,cockpit top of line . Larger than USAF C5A . Proud moment
To see and part of
Que experiência fantástica ! Tanto de poder ajudar pessoas num momento tão crítico quanto vivenciar essa viagem nesse gigante dos céus.
I know
My fauvorite transporter is the antonov because I like de form an the colors, also I like the beluga because is so funny
AN-225. It is legendary
My favorite transport is star trek transporter. Beam me up scotty.
AN-225 is a good dream forever👍
The AN225. A neighbor that worked at the local airport said it was coming into town in about an hour. I went out with my two boys and we stood about a 1/4 mile off the approach end center line. It was amazing. The boys land I loved it!!
AN-225
I saw it parked at DEN around 2015 and it was amazing!
I still like bicycles but…
They are a little slow.
🙂
😂👍
I worked at Manchester airport as a fueler, the antonov came in and I didn’t know what it was, I had to keep the GPU fuelled up as it’s to big to go on any stand, it’s an amazing machine, I watched it leave while having my dinner.
I am not anti Antonov, but I’m more of a U.S Air Force person. So my favorite transport aircraft HAS TO BE the C-5m Super Galaxy. My FAVORITE aircraft of all time (MFAOAT) is the F-22 raptor.
I love ❤️ your comment, as I’m a retired military in the Air force.I love the C-5 M .It used to be the moving truck in the air,with 36 pallets not like the C-17 with 16 positions
.GO AIR FORCE
C-17. Was the sole passenger – with no cargo aboard – in July (Space A) on a flight from Elmendorf Anchorage to Spangdahlem Germany. Got to Anchorage by way of Travis AFB.
As a kid growing up in the 80’s Cold War It was always the C5 – the epitome of western dominance …
Since then though the AN124 is easily on a par – having seen it at Bournemouth back in the late 90’s delivering Nimrod fuselages to Cobham, and watching its superb impromptu flypast display at Yeovilton Air Day in 2012.
Marvellous.
I’m partial to the C-17 as my son is Air Force and that’s the plane he works on.
Antonov An-225. The Mriya (Ukrainian for “Dream”)
Is the best plane. No exaggeration.
Got to be the AN-225 Rest in peace…Long live An-124!
An225 long live the An124
Boeing Dreamlifter! Boeing Dreamlifter!
An-22
Wiedererkennungswert des Turbinen-Sounds
USAF. C-5
Airbus Beluga!!
YESSIRRR
AN-225
BELUGA BELUGA BELUGA
long live an124
i like the super guppy
Sorry they’re all good, but the work horse has to be the C130 good old Hercules. A truly brilliant concept.
airbus beluga long live an124
airbus beluga but long live an124
The Antonov An225 Mriya. I wished I got to see her in her prime. Fly High!
AN-225
Douglas C-133A Cargomaster. For its time, it was a real workhorse.
Best regards
BELUGA!
All these Antonov kiddies… the crown belongs to the Super Guppy! Duh.
AN-225 For sure!
runner up c-5 galaxy
My dad knows this plane when he went to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
I’ve gotta say AN-225, C-5, and C-130j Super Herc and for jet prob the A-10 Warthog
C-5 Galaxy
Beluga BC it looks funny
if you think it looks funny just look at the super guppy
C-5 Galaxy no problem
Debating between Beluga XL or An-225 Mriya. Antonov is an absolute legend with impressive looks but the beluga XL (love the shape that was developed from an A330) gives a good look (Albeit perhaps to some eyes ugly). And then aspects of transports like Super Guppy and C-5M Super Galaxy. It’s hard to debate. I would go for Antonov as it has a good history, broken records, and been much loved by the aviation community and it has been destroyed (annoyingly) so I hope they will build another one. 🙏
Àn 225 Myria
The Antonov 225. Looked amazing and imposing, easily commanding respect and awe.
I think the C5 super galaxy is the best transporter because of it size. It’s so beautiful; and it’s a beast
The AN-225 is like nothing else and was a beauty I mean it’s like a ‘dream’ it is definitely my choice no doubt in my mind.
Antonov AN-124 I live near to the new home Airport in germany
An-225. Was lucky enough to see it fly overhead a few years ago. Did take pics but only I know what plane it showed, too high.
Now it’s Beluga XL, for the wacky appearance.
Globemaster for its huge capacity
Hard to choose just one
AN 225 är o var minst sagt imponerande, väldigt snyggt fraktflygplan , sen finns andra bra nu flygande AN 124 såklart o C5 super o Airbus beluga är speciellt flygplan
Hoppas AN 225 återupptas eller liknande , skulle va fantastiskt o se det igen
CH-47 chinook CH-47 go beat the other commenters!!!
My top cargo planes
C-5
AN-225
C-17
Beluga
C-130
AN-124
747-8
Dream lifter
Super guppy
Agree with this contributor re the 747. The last three manufactured by Boeing were delivered to a freight carrier in January of 2024.
They are favored by these carriers since the nose can open for ease of loading. Part of the reason that the cockpit bubble is positioned up top.
I believe Lufthansa is still using the 747.
Loved the AN 225. Hope the Ukrainians still have the blueprints so they can remake it in the future. Beautiful Aircraft. My second favorite is the C-5A. I got to see this Airplane (inside and outside including the cockpit) at the Redmond Airport (RDM) the last time they had a air show here in Oregon. Loved it!!!
It is the AN225. Got an opportunity to sit in the flight deck and explore the aeroplane. It is so big that crew and cargo related crew have their seating on the upper deck that is as high as the wing box structure (so you can imagine the thickness of the wing).
Unfortunately the only flying hull (in which I got to sit) was destroyed in the war. Another partly constructed hull is in the factory. Hope to see it built up and flying.
It’s cool to read over everyone’s favorites. I just moved back to upstate NY and (thanks to FlightRadar24) I have now seen and identified USAF aircraft I’ve never seen: many of the C130 SKIER series and a C5. OT for this thread but also saw a C17a, c32b, and a c40 clipper. And a couple that weren’t on FlightRadar24 at all. 🤔
Cessna 170
It must be the C-130. I flew it alot when I did my military service in Sweden. Not the biggest plane but one of the most reliable, for sure.
Worked in the C-5As at Travis in the 1980s through 1997. Miss that big monster. Amazing aircraft with so much wiring it could drive you mad trying to troubleshoot any issue. The main landing gear and engines were an engineering marvel for their time.
Aero Spacelines Super Guppy
Antonov AN-225 Mriya.
The best of the best !
AN-225, definitely, Hopefully another will fly again
My favorite is the Tupolev ANT-20 “Maxim Gorky”
mine is the boeing dreamliner