Cargo Kings, C-17, An-124 and IL-76. Which One is Best

Few sights excite aviation fans more than heavy airlifters touching down on the same runway. At Farnborough, the C-17 Globemaster III, An-124 Ruslan, and Il-76 represented three very different philosophies of strategic airlift.

The American C-17 is the most versatile of the trio, able to carry heavy loads into short, rough airstrips while still cruising efficiently across continents. Russia’s massive An-124 steals the show with sheer scale, designed to haul outsized cargo that no other aircraft can manage. The rugged Il-76, meanwhile, is a workhorse, less glamorous, but proven in decades of global service. Which one is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!