The largest airline in the world, based on scheduled passenger-kilometers flown in 2022, is American Airlines Group. This metric is widely recognized as a primary indicator of an airline's operational size and reach, as it accounts for both the number of passengers transported and the distance they travel.
Leading Airlines by Passenger-Kilometers Flown (2022)
In 2022, several major airline groups demonstrated significant operational scale. The following table illustrates the top contenders based on billions of scheduled passenger-kilometers flown:
| Rank | Airline Group | Scheduled Passenger-Kilometers Flown (Billions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Airlines Group | 347 |
| 2 | United Airlines Holdings | 332 |
| 3 | Delta Air Lines Group | 314 |
| 4 | Air France–KLM | 237 |
Understanding Passenger-Kilometers Flown
Scheduled passenger-kilometers flown (RPKs) is a crucial industry metric for comparing the size of airlines. It is calculated by multiplying the number of paying passengers by the distance they are flown. This metric provides a comprehensive view of an airline's traffic volume, differentiating it from other measures like fleet size or the number of passengers carried, as it factors in the geographical scope of operations. For example, an airline flying fewer passengers over very long distances might have a higher RPK than one flying many passengers over short distances.
The Dominance of American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group secured the top position in 2022, leading its closest competitors, United Airlines Holdings and Delta Air Lines Group, by a notable margin in terms of passenger-kilometers flown. This signifies American Airlines' extensive global network and significant capacity for long-haul travel. The airline industry is highly competitive, with these major players constantly vying for market share and operational efficiency.
