Infrared (IR) windows and domes are the key components of opto-electronic system in aircraft. The acceleration along with various harsh, extreme working environment of aircraft puts higher demands on the optical, thermal and mechanical properties of IR transparent materials. Transparent ceramics which can be applied in IR windows and domes include oxide transparent ceramics (Al₂O₃, MgAl₂O₄, AlON, Y₂O₃, YSZ, YAG and Y₂O₃–MgO nanocomposite ceramics), fluoride and ZnS/ZnSe. Transparent wavelength range, thermal and mechanical properties of the above ceramics were compared; physical and chemical properties of these ceramics were introduced in this paper. The study mainly reviews the research progress of different ceramics from powders, ceramic forming and sintering, and compares the current research and application gaps at home and abroad. To realize the application of transparent ceramics in the fields of IR windows and domes, it is necessary to increase investment in synthesizing high-performance powders, improving ceramic density, reducing grain size, enhancing mechanical and optical properties, and preparing high-quality products with large size and complex shape. Finally, the application and development prospects of various transparent ceramics were compared mainly from the aspects of optical and mechanical properties.