Lockheed L-1011 Tristar

Tri Jet

The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was the first widebody airliner to feature an advanced autopilot capable of fully automatic landings in zero-visibility conditions, a technological leap that set it apart when it entered service with Eastern Air Lines in 1972. Lockheed's only widebody and its final commercial jetliner, the TriStar competed directly with the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 in the medium-to-long-haul market, distinguished by its center engine mounted in the tail via an S-duct—a complex but elegant solution that reduced drag and improved efficiency. Powered by three Rolls-Royce RB211 high-bypass turbofans, the L-1011 could cruise at Mach 0.84 and carry up to 400 passengers depending on configuration, with a range of approximately 4,300 nautical miles in later variants. Despite its technical sophistication and reputation for reliability, the TriStar arrived late to market due to Rolls-Royce's bankruptcy during engine development, allowing the DC-10 to capture early sales. Only 250 TriStars were built between 1968 and 1984, far fewer than needed for Lockheed to break even, ultimately contributing to the company's exit from commercial aviation. The type served major carriers including TWA, Delta, and British Airways through the 1990s, with Delta operating the last scheduled passenger flight in 2001. Today, surviving L-1011s are rare—most have been scrapped, though a handful remain in service as aerial firefighting tankers or with private operators performing specialized missions. SkyMeter has tracked 2 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with PHILBRICK RODNEY C the largest observed operator.