Antonov 225 Size Comparison

Antonov 225 Size Comparison

The Antonov An-225 Mriya stands out as the largest cargo aircraft ever built. Designed by the Antonov Design Bureau in the 1980s, it surpasses other planes in various dimensions and capacities. When you look at its size, the numbers are astonishing.

Dimensions of the Antonov An-225

The Antonov An-225 has a wingspan of 88.4 meters (290 feet). This makes it wider than a football field. The length of the aircraft is 84 meters (275 feet), which is longer than many commercial jets. Its height is 18.1 meters (59.3 feet), roughly equivalent to a six-story building.

Comparison with Boeing 747-8

The Boeing 747-8, a popular long-haul aircraft, has a wingspan of 68.4 meters (224.7 feet). This is significantly shorter than the Antonov 225. The length of the 747-8 is 76.3 meters (250 feet), again falling short when compared to the 225. The height of the 747-8 is 19.4 meters (63.6 feet), which is slightly more but comparable to the 225’s height.

Comparison with Airbus A380

The Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft, has a wingspan of 79.8 meters (261.8 feet). This dimension makes it narrower than the An-225. The A380 is 72.7 meters (238.6 feet) in length, shorter than the An-225. The height of the Airbus A380 is 24.1 meters (79 feet), making it taller than the An-225 by a noticeable margin.

Comparison with Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

The C-5 Galaxy, a large military cargo aircraft, features a wingspan of 67.89 meters (222.8 feet). This measurement shows it is more compact than the An-225. The length of the C-5 Galaxy is 75.3 meters (247.1 feet), making it shorter than the An-225. Its height is 19.84 meters (65.1 feet), which is slightly shorter than the Airbus A380’s height but still above the An-225.

Cargo Capacity

The An-225 can carry 250,000 kilograms (551,156 pounds) of cargo. In comparison, the Boeing 747-8F, the freighter version, can carry 140,000 kilograms (308,647 pounds) of goods. The Airbus A380F, which was never built, was projected to carry 150,000 kilograms (330,693 pounds). The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy can handle a maximum payload of 122,472 kilograms (270,000 pounds). These numbers emphasize the extraordinary capability of the An-225.

Runway Requirements

The An-225 requires a runway at least 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) long for takeoff. This is longer than most commercial aircraft. The Boeing 747-8 needs a runway of about 2,800 meters (9,186 feet). The Airbus A380 needs a similar runway length of around 2,900 meters (9,514 feet). The C-5 Galaxy typically requires around 2,600 meters (8,530 feet). Thus, the An-225’s requirements stand out once more.

Interesting Facts

• The Antonov An-225 was initially designed to transport the Buran spacecraft, the Soviet version of the Space Shuttle.
• Only one An-225 was ever built. A second one was partially constructed but never completed.
• The aircraft first flew on December 21, 1988.
• It is powered by six Ivchenko Progress D-18T turbofan engines.
• The cargo hold is 43 meters (141 feet) long, making it the largest usable cargo space in any aircraft.

The Antonov An-225 remains unrivaled in certain performance metrics. Its design showcases exceptional engineering, letting it carry massive and heavy payloads. Its size allows it to transport oversized items like turbines, train locomotives, and even other aircraft. The plane’s remarkable capabilities and unique history have cemented its legendary status in aviation.