Whether you're a self-confessed aviation expert or have never heard of the Spruce Goose, you can't fail but be impressed by the world's biggest planes. From wooden seaplanes built in the 1940s to the aircraft making space travel possible, we look at some of the most gigantic planes on Earth and the astonishing stories behind them.

Read on to learn about the largest planes in history, ranked by wingspan from smallest to largest...

Airbus Beluga XL: 197 feet

With its 197-foot (60m) wingspan, the Airbus A-330-700 Beluga XL may be the smallest plane on our list but it’s certainly among the most eye-catching. Designed to resemble the whale it’s named after, the cargo plane is used to transport large parts for other aircraft from Airbus manufacturing sites across Europe.

Based on the Airbus A330-200F, the XL was the next evolution of the original Beluga, the A300-600ST.

The biggest aircraft ever to take to the skies, ranked