Overview
Why this aircraft matters
The type first flew in 1982 and entered service in the mid-1980s. Antonov later developed civil An-124-100 variants for outsized commercial freight.
Size and design
A double-deck fuselage separates the crew area from the main cargo hold. Nose and rear doors allow vehicles to pass through, while the landing gear can lower the forward fuselage.
At 69.1 metres long and 73.3 metres across, the An-124 Ruslan occupies a very different physical envelope from an everyday single-aisle airliner. Dimensions alone do not tell the entire story: payload, cabin volume and intended role determine how that space is used.
Operators and current status
Antonov Airlines, Military and specialist operators.
In specialist cargo and military service. Operator lists can change; they are reviewed against first-party material and are not a live fleet-tracking service.
Notable records
- Largest production transport aircraft when introduced
- Modified commercial examples certified for up to 150 tonnes payload
Source notes
Antonov quotes a 15,700-kilometre operational range without specifying the payload condition on its history page. Its operator brochure distinguishes the 120-tonne An-124-100 from modified 150-tonne examples and publishes the cargo-cabin, door, volume and crane figures used on this page.
- Antonov An-124 history and characteristics ↗
- Antonov Airlines An-124-100 / An-124-100M-150 specification ↗
Last verified: 21 September 2026. Values may differ by variant, operating condition and source definition.
An-124 questions
Payload and size, without guesswork
How big is the Antonov An-124?
Antonov publishes a length of 69.1 metres, a 73.3-metre wingspan and a height of 21.08 metres for the An-124 Ruslan.
How much can an An-124 carry?
Antonov’s operator brochure lists 120,000 kg for the An-124-100 and 150,000 kg for modified An-124-100M-150 examples. Actual acceptance is mission-specific.
What are the An-124 cargo hold dimensions?
Antonov lists the lower-deck cargo cabin as 36.5 metres long, 6.4 metres wide and 4.4 metres high, with 1,040 cubic metres maximum volume.
Can the An-124 load cargo through both ends?
The design has nose and rear cargo doors for through loading. Its landing gear can kneel and Antonov publishes an on-board crane lift of up to 30 tonnes.