Ark Royal was designed around roughly 72 aircraft, but larger operational aircraft reduced the practical figure to about 60. Her embarked mix then changed from Swordfish and Skua aircraft toward a larger Swordfish component supported by Fulmars, reflecting an increasing emphasis on long-range strike. Yorktown's designed group was about 90 aircraft, while one extreme wartime load appears to have reached roughly 120. Carrier capacity was an operational choice shaped by aircraft size, role, and circumstances rather than a single permanent specification.
Notable Point · 1:24-4:16
Air-group capacity changes with operations
The nominal aircraft totals of Ark Royal and Yorktown were less useful than the air groups they could actually carry for different missions and periods.