World's largest airlines
There are several calculation methods to determine the ` largest airline in the world '. Therefore this title, each after foundations were laid of the key figures, claiming in each category different airlines for themselves.
Delta Air Lines carried example, in 2012 after a mere number more passengers than any other airline in the world and had the highest number of passenger aircraft in their fleets. United Airlines, however, promoted in 2012 in the total number, although fewer passengers than Delta, but counted for more passengers to passenger kilometers (more passengers on long-haul flights ), the main figure in the aviation industry, and flew around the world to more destinations than Delta. American Airlines will apply by the end of 2013 consummated merger with U.S. Airways, both by passengers carried as well by fleet size as the world 's largest airline, but not go by in terms of passenger kilometers on United. FedEx is the largest cargo airline in the world, both in terms of the transported tons of miles and fleet size. The German Lufthansa ( Lufthansa Cargo) is in all of the following categories each have a place in the top ten. The German DHL is upon fleet size, the second largest freight carriers in the world.
After passengers carried (in millions)
- Based on the figures published by the respective airline.
- 1 Includes figures for Delta Connection - Numbers of or after 2009 for the merged Delta / Northwest Airlines.
- 2 Includes figures for United Express - numbers of or after 2010 for the merged United / Continental Airlines.
- 3 numbers to or from 2011 for the merged Southwest / AirTran Airways.
- 4 Includes figures for American Eagle Airlines, Executive Airlines and AmericanConnection.
- 5 Includes figures for U.S. Airways Express.
- 6 Includes figures for Lufthansa Regional - figures of 2012 includes German Wings - figures of 2009 and 2010 include Lufthansa Italia.
In terms of passenger -kilometers ( in millions)
- Based on the figures published by the respective airline.
- 1 Includes figures for United Express - numbers of or after 2010 for the merged United / Continental Airlines.
- 2 Includes figures for Delta Connection - Numbers of or after 2009 for the merged Delta / Northwest Airlines.
- 3 Includes figures for American Eagle Airlines, Executive Airlines and AmericanConnection.
- 4 numbers to or from 2011 for the merged Southwest / AirTran Airways.
- 5 Includes figures for Lufthansa Regional - figures of 2012 includes German Wings - figures of 2009 and 2010 include Lufthansa Italia.
After tonne-kilometers (millions)
- Based on published by the International Air Transport Association figures.
After fleet size
Passenger airlines
- Includes only passenger aircraft - Includes figures for the regional companies of the airlines, but without other subsidiaries:
- 1 Includes figures for Delta Connection.
- 2 Includes figures for United Express.
- 3 Includes figures for American Eagle Airlines.
- 4 Includes figures for AirTran Airways.
- 5 Includes figures for U.S. Airways Express.
- 6 Includes figures for Lufthansa Regional and Lufthansa CityLine.
- 7 Includes figures for Hop! and CityJet.
- 8 Includes figures for Air Canada Express.
Cargo airlines
By Number of destinations
- Includes only passenger airlines.
- 1 Includes figures for United Express.
- 2 Includes figures for Delta Connection.
- 3 Includes figures for American Eagle Airlines and American Connection.
- 4 Includes figures for Shanghai Airlines.
- 5 Includes figures for Lufthansa Regional and Lufthansa CityLine.
- 6 Includes figures for Hop! and CityJet.
- 7 Includes figures for U.S. Airways Express.
- 8 Includes figures for BA City Flyer, OpenSkies, Sun Air of Scandinavia and South Africa Comair.