How much does a plane weigh? It depends on how big it is and what kind it is. The average commercial plane weighs between 138,708.5 kg and 199,671.3 kg, or 152.9 to 220.1 tonnes. A plane’s weight also changes based on how much fuel, luggage, and people it’s carrying, as well as the material it’s made of and the temperature outside.
Planes fly all over the world, and they come in many different sizes and weights. People are surprised when they find out how much an airplane weighs, whether it’s a small private plane used for flight training or a big business jumbo jet.
This page shows different kinds of planes of different sizes and tells you exactly how much they weigh.
What Do Airplanes Weigh?
Let’s start by saying what everyone already knows: planes are big. I don’t care if you’re talking about a single-engine plane for personal use or a business plane with more than one engine. Planes are by no means light. It’s hard to believe that something so heavy can even fly. Check out our full piece on how planes fly if you want to learn more about how they work.
Since there are so many different kinds of planes, it’s not surprising that their weights are all over the place. In this piece, we’ll look at a bunch of different planes to give you an idea of how much they really weigh.
We’ll talk more about each of these three types of planes later, but for now, here’s a table with the weights of some of the most popular commercial planes, private planes, and military planes. You might be surprised by some of the numbers.
When I looked into this topic, the thing that really stood out to me was how much fighter jets weigh. Even though they only have room for one or two pilots, they weigh almost half as much as regular business planes. But we’ll talk more about the details of each group soon. For now, let’s start with business planes.
How Much Does a Plane Weigh?
The empty weight of a typical airplane is about 90,000 pounds (41,000 kilograms). This is how much the plane weighs when its fuel tanks are empty and there are no people or bags on board. This example is for a B-737-800, which is a medium-sized business jet airliner. I flew a B-737-800 all over the world (see my story here), so I know it well.
You can add 84,000 pounds (38,000 kilograms) of fuel, people, and luggage to that number to get a maximum takeoff weight of 174,000 pounds (79,000 kilograms). Obviously, these numbers depend a lot on what kind of plane you’re talking about. In this piece, I’ll give you 13 examples of different airplane weights that you can use as a guide.
As a general rule, most planes will weigh about 1350 pounds per foot in length. (I know it’s an odd stat but I thought you would find that interesting). Again, the 737-800 can be used as an example.
Read More: Frontier Airlines Review 2023 – What to Know Before You Fly?
How Much Do Private Jets Weigh?
There are a lot of different things to think about when it comes to private jets. One of the most important things is how much the jet weighs. The weight of a jet can change a lot depending on its size and model. For example, the Gulfstream G650ER private jet weighs about 100,000 pounds, while the much smaller Cessna Citation Mustang weighs only about 5,000 pounds.
So, how does a private jet’s weight affect how well it flies? Well, the more fuel a jet needs to take off and stay in the air, the heavier it is. This means that longer trips will cost more money because they will use more petrol. On the other hand, private planes that are lighter can take off with less fuel. This means that they are more fuel-efficient and can save you money in the long run.
In the end, a private jet’s weight is just one of many things you need to think about when picking the right one for your needs. If you want to save money on fuel, a jet that weighs less might be the best choice. But if you need a jet that can travel farther, a larger jet might be a better choice. In the end, it all depends on what you want and what you need.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide about How to Choose the Best Seat on a Plane
How Much Does a Commercial Plane Weigh?
The average business plane weighs between 152.9 and 220.1 tonnes (138,708.5 kg and 199,671.3 kg) when it is empty and ready to fly. Still, the maximum weight of a business plane that can take off is usually between 320 and 447.7 tonnes (290,299 kg and 406,146.6 kg).
The most a big commercial plane can weigh when it lands is about 254.8 tonnes (231,164 kg). But keep in mind that the weight of an airplane will always change based on its style, size, and cargo.
Different Types of Plane Weigh
Here’s a table summarizing the weights of different types of planes:
| Type of Plane | Weight Range (Pounds) | Weight Range (Kilograms) | MTOW Range (Kilograms) |
| Personal Airplanes | 740 – 2,750 | 336 – 1,247 | Up to 5,670 |
| Fighter Jets | 20,300 – 45,000 | 9,210 – 20,412 | 4,800 – 640,000 |
| Helicopters | 275 – 56,000 | 125 – 25,401 | 1,560 – 5,670 |
Conclusion
The make, model, and contents of an airplane will always affect how much it weighs. When they are first made, most passenger planes weigh between 152.9 and 220.1 tonnes (138,708.5 kg and 199,671.3 kg, give or take).
Planes are weighed based on their empty working weight, the most they can weigh when taking off, and the most they can weigh when landing. The payload (passengers, bags, fuel, etc.), the plane’s materials, and sometimes the temperature outside all affect how much does a plane weigh.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Private Jet
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the weight range of personal airplanes?
Depending on their size and type, most personal planes weigh between 740 and 2,750 pounds.
What is the weight range of fighter jets?
Depending on the type, size, and model, fighter jets usually weigh between 20,300 and 45,000 pounds.
What is the weight range of helicopters?
Depending on their size and type, most helicopters weigh between 275 kg and 56,000 kg.
What does an average aircraft weigh?
A typical medium-sized airplane weighs roughly 90,000 pounds.
Which Aircraft is The Heaviest?
The Antonov An225 Mriya is one of the largest planes, with the widest wingspan of any aircraft. It is the heaviest plane ever built and has the biggest wingspan for an aeroplane, thanks to its six engines.
How much does a small plane weigh?
A small plane or aircraft, as defined by 14 CFR Part 1, has a maximum certificated take-off weight of 12,500 pounds or less.
What is the heaviest airplane in the world?
The Antonov AN-225 is the heaviest plane ever manufactured. It weighs 771,681 pounds at empty and 640 tonnes (705 short tonnes) at maximum, which is more than 1.4 million pounds.
