A lot of airlines are still struggling with the aftereffects of COVID-19. However, we are going to focus on the 15 biggest airlines that have managed to pull through the terrible hit that came from that covid era, and those airlines are what we shall be discussing today in this article.
Prior to COVID-19, many airline managers did not know that their airlines were existing on borrowed time, as they focused solely on ticketing, thereby neglecting other sources through which airlines make money. That era exposed most of the airlines that were on borrowed time; it also revealed to the world that government is still the bedrock on which businesses all over the world survive, especially the airline business.
Meanwhile, in 2026, it is safe to say that airlines have recovered (to a large extent) fully from the shock of covid either by government bail-out, more private investors, or an increase in passengers, however it is, airlines are gradually coming back to live, while some have made it a source of business to generate more revenue by leasing their planes to other smaller airlines.
Airlines are known for the high number of employees on their payrolls, and this makes them the amongst the highest number of employers of labour all over the world.
However, we are going to talk about the 15 biggest airlines that have done well for themselves post COVID, both in terms of revenue, destinations and number of flights operated (on a daily basis) and these airlines are listed in no particular order.
However, we are going to talk about the 15 biggest airlines that have done well for themselves post COVID, both in terms of revenue, destinations and number of flights operated (on a daily basis) and these airlines are listed in no particular order.
15. Alaska Air Group
This Alaska-based airline group operates two airlines: Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. This group have managed to stabilise their operations in the last 5 years (post-COVID) and have recorded profits in billions.
With an estimated staff strength nearing 25,000, this group have survived a lot of economic shocks that have disrupted the airline business over the years.
Read Also: How Airlines Make Money in 2026
14. China Southern Airlines
This airline is one of the 3 big airlines in domiciled in the Peoples' Republic of China, and flies to over 80 countries in the world on a daily basis, with over 1,800 flights of this airline said to be departing daily from different airports in the world. It is on record that its staff strength is said to be over 99,000.
13. Qatar Airways
Who in the world has not heard of this airline? This airline in one of the 15 biggest airlines in the world, both in revenue generated and the number of flights they have operating on a daily basis. Though a commercial flight for all cadres of passengers, it has distinguished itself in the area of in-flight luxury, which many say it is second to none in the world. It is one of the few airlines that flies to nearly all the countries of the world.
12. Air France/ KLM
A merger of these 2 behemont in the aviation business have seen them dominate the European skies. Though they fly to different countries of the world, but they are known for their ability to adapt to economic changes and passenger behaviours.
11. Lufthansa Group
This is one of the oldest airlines in the world, as it was established in 1926 and has been in business since then. Though a German airline, it has the Swiss, Belgian and Austrian Airlines under it's belt as subsidiaries. With the combination of the staff strength, the numbers are said to be in the region of more than 100,000. Meanwhile, the revenue of the group exceeds $30bn a year.
10. China Airlines
This is a Chinese state-owned airline. This airline flies to more than 90 countries in the world with over 1380 flights recorded by the airline on a weekly basis.
The airline makes over $10bn in revenue on a yearly basis and boasts of 80,000 staffers on its payroll.
The airline makes over $10bn in revenue on a yearly basis and boasts of 80,000 staffers on its payroll.
Read Also: Types of Aircraft Explained in 2026
9. International Airlines Group (IAG)
This group came into existence as a result of the merger between British Airways and Iberia (the Spanish national airline). The IAG has a combination of nearly 60,000 work strength and has a financial record of more than $10 bn generated on a yearly basis.
8. JetBlue Airways
This airline is known as a low-cost airline. It mostly focuses on flying economy class passengers and doing multiple trips on a daily basis. It also flies to Europe, South America and the Caribbean- these places are it's primary travel areas. With almost 20,000 in the workforce and generating a little above $7bn yearly.
7. United Airlines
United Airlines is one of the biggest airlines in the world, and it will be a huge surprise if they do not make it into the list of the 15 biggest airlines in the world. This airline flies to all the continents of the world and over 120 countries. This airline has more than 90,000 people under its employ and records more than $1bn in profit on a yearly basis.
6. Emirates Airlines
This airline is amongst the most luxurious passenger airlines in the world. Though the cather for a wide range of customer demands, they are most known for their luxury approach to doing things. This airline is a state-owned airline, but it flies to more than 80 countries in the world and records more than 3,000 flights on a weekly basis out of the United Arab Emirates.
5. Turkish Airlines
This airline needs no advert to be known, as it travels to more than 300 cities around the world on a weekly basis. This airline has been able to make Turkey a transit hub of the world as other airlines take advantage of its reach to fly passengers to Turkey for onward journey to their various destinations.
4. American Airlines Group
This airline is one of the biggest airlines in the world with over 6,000 weekly flights under its belt, and flies to over 40 countries in the world.
This airline has over 40,000 staffers and makes more than $2bn in profit on a yearly basis.
3. China Eastern Airlines
One of the big 3 airlines in China and one of the biggest in the world. This airline has more than 500 aircraft in its fleet and flies to more than 200 countries in the world. And boasts of more than 80,000 staff strength.
2. Southwest Airlines
This airline is said to be one of the biggest low-cost airlines in the world. It is even said to lease out some of its planes to other airlines. It has a staff strenght of more than 50,000 and generates over $14bn on a yearly basis.
1. Delta Airlines
This is the biggest airline in the world (though this list is in no particular order, but we are yet to see any airline that will beat Delta Airlines).
It operates on than 3,000 flights on a daily basis and flies to over 300 cities in 50 countries around the world. It generates nearly $30bn in revenue with over $3bn in profits and a staff strength of nearly 100,000.
In conclusion, the airline business is not for the weak at heart, as it is capital intensive to operate in; also, this industry has a lot of political and economic challenges that come towards it.
0 Comments