Boeing-Mcdonnell Douglas Boeing (Douglas) Md 11

Tri Jet· 132 globally registered

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 represents the final evolution of the DC-10 trijet lineage, launched in 1986 as a stretched, re-engined competitor to the emerging twin-engine widebodies. With winglets, a glass cockpit, and advanced aerodynamics, the MD-11 promised 10 percent better fuel efficiency than its predecessor, but it never quite matched the economics of the Boeing 777 or Airbus A330 twins that would dominate long-haul routes. Production ended in 2001 after just 200 aircraft, making it one of the last commercial trijets ever built. What the MD-11 lacked in passenger appeal, however, it found in cargo. The type's large main deck, excellent range (up to 7,240 nautical miles), and proven trijet reliability made it a workhorse for freight operators. FedEx became the largest operator, converting many passenger frames to freighters and keeping the type flying well into the 2020s on intercontinental cargo routes. The MD-11's distinctive tail-mounted engine and graceful winglets remain a familiar sight at cargo hubs worldwide, a testament to McDonnell Douglas engineering even as the manufacturer itself was absorbed by Boeing in 1997. With a maximum takeoff weight of 630,500 pounds and a cruise speed of Mach 0.82, the MD-11 occupies a unique niche: too thirsty for passenger airlines, but perfectly sized for express freight networks. SkyMeter has tracked 242 flights across 25 airframes and 2 operators, with FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP the largest observed operator.