What is the biggest plane in the world?

The title of "world's biggest plane" depends on how you define "biggest." If you mean by weight, it's the Antonov An-225 Mriya. However, since its destruction in 2022, the title is contested and technically vacant, though the Stratolaunch Roc is the largest by wingspan. Let's look at both:

Antonov An-225 Mriya (Destroyed):

• Biggest by maximum takeoff weight: This behemoth held the record with a maximum takeoff weight of over 640 tonnes (1,410,958 lbs).
• Purpose: Designed for transporting very large and heavy cargo, such as space shuttles.
• Status: Sadly, the only An-225 was destroyed during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. While there were plans to rebuild it, the status of that project remains uncertain.

Stratolaunch Roc:

• Biggest by wingspan: With a wingspan of 385 feet (117 meters), it boasts the longest wingspan of any aircraft ever built.
• Purpose: Designed as a carrier aircraft for launching hypersonic rockets and other payloads. It's not designed to carry cargo in the same way the An-225 was.
• Status: Still operational, though not yet fully operational in its intended role.

Other contenders (depending on the metric):

While the above two are generally considered the largest, the Airbus A380 superjumbo jet is the largest in terms of passenger capacity and overall size of the fuselage. However, its wingspan and weight are significantly smaller than the An-225 and Stratolaunch.

In summary, there isn't a single definitive "biggest plane" without specifying the criteria (weight, wingspan, volume, etc.). The An-225 held the weight record until its destruction, and the Stratolaunch Roc currently holds the wingspan record.