The plane has now become one of the means of transport most used by people for travel, especially for long-distance journeys: but which aircraft models made the most flights in 2025? This is revealed by a new ranking, drawn up by Corriere della Sera based on data collected by ch-aviation, which has drawn up the top 10 most used single-aisle aircraft in 2025.
However, it should be remembered that, despite some serious accidents – such as those which occurred in Washington and India – the plane still remains among the safest means of transport. The IATA (International Air Transport Association), the association representing over 300 airlines, publishes a report on aviation safety every year: while awaiting the definitive data for 2025 (which have yet to be released), the survey relating to the year 2024 reports that out of 5 billion passengers transported, there were only 244 victims, with a total of 46 accidents (of which 7 fatal).
So let’s see the complete ranking and air traffic forecasts presented by IATA.
The 10 most used aircraft models in 2025: the complete ranking
According to data released by ch-aviation and reworked by Corriere della Serathe most widely used single-aisle aircraft in 2025 was the Boeing 737-800 with 6.4 million flights complete (takeoff+landing sequence). This is one of the most popular models for short-haul flights, used by low-cost airlines (such as Ryanair), but also by others such as Aeroitalia and Turkish Airlines.
In second place is the Airbus A320, the model used by companies such as easyJet, Air France or Lufthansa, which reaches approximately 5.7 million flights. Third step of the podium for the Airbus A320neo with approximately 2.9 million “cycles”.
As visible in the graph below, the central positions of the ranking are also occupied mainly by Airbus models, with the exception of the Boeing 737 Max.
Closes in last positionATR 72-600, a turboprop model produced by the ATR consortium (joint venture between Leonardo and Airbus) and used mainly by smaller airlines for regional connections.
It must be underlined that the data of ch-aviation separate individual models (separating, for example, the Boeing 737-800 from the 737 Max and the 737-700), while IATA data usually aggregates “families” of aircraft. This is why, in the case of other rankings, the Airbus brand is in first place with its models which, in fact, also occupy the top positions in this ranking.
Air traffic forecasts for 2026
According to IATA, 2026 will be a more than favorable year for air traffic: the association, in its forecasts for 2026, has in fact estimated a growth in passenger traffic of 4.9% on an annual basis, thanks above all to the expansion of the Asia-Pacific region, which could mark an increase of 7.3%.
At the same time, load factors (i.e. the number of passengers transported compared to the total available seat capacity) are expected to reach a record level in 2026, standing at 83.8%. All this could lead the airline sector to exceed the threshold of 1,000 billion dollars in revenues.
At a regional level, according to IATA, Europe will record the highest revenues, thanks above all to the boom in Türkiye; Asia-Pacific will experience the fastest growth while North America will face new challenges, including stagnating domestic demand.
