McDonnell Douglas

McDonnell Douglas MD-11

M11 MD11 Out of Production

Drawn up to succeed the DC-10, the MD-11 ranked among the last three-engine wide-bodies, lifting off for the first time in 1990. Three General Electric CF6-80C2D1F engines seat 293 in typical use and up to 410, with impressive reach near 12,630 km. It stands out for size at 61.21 metres long and 51.66 metres in span, cruising about 876 km/h and grossing up to 273,310 kg, its hold swallowing a vast 194 cubic metres of cargo. Airlines have retired it from passenger duty, but the MD-11F freighter still earns its keep with FedEx and Western Global. Its ICAO code is MD11.

Dimensions

Length: 61.21 m
Wingspan: 51.66 m
Height: 17.60 m
Cabin Width: 5.72 m

Performance

Range: 12,630 km
Cruise Speed: 876 km/h
Max Speed: 945 km/h
Service Ceiling: 12,600 m
Category: long-haul

Capacity

Typical Seats: 293
Max Seats: 410
Cargo Volume: 194.00 m³
Size: wide-body

Engines

Count: 3
Type: Turbofan
Model: GE CF6-80C2D1F

Airlines (1)

Lufthansa Cargo 2

Engine Profiles

GE Aerospace CF6 Pratt & Whitney PW4000

About McDonnell Douglas MD-11

DC-10の後継となるトライジェットの最終型。旅客型の運航は終了しましたが、MD-11F貨物型はフェデックスやウェスタン・グローバル航空の貨物主力機として活躍し続けています。

Frequently Asked Questions

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 typically seated 293 passengers in a three-class configuration. In a two-class layout, it could carry about 323 passengers. The cabin is 5.72 m wide, inherited from the DC-10, with a 2-4-3 seating arrangement in economy. The MD-11 was the final widebody commercial aircraft produced by McDonnell Douglas.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 had a maximum range of approximately 12,270 km (6,625 nautical miles) in its extended-range configuration. Standard range was about 12,633 km. The aircraft used three engines — General Electric CF6-80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4460/4462 — two underwing and one in the tail. The MD-11 introduced a smaller horizontal tail with integral fuel tanks, reducing drag compared to the DC-10.

The 777-200 outclassed the MD-11 in nearly every metric, offering more passengers, longer range, and significantly better fuel efficiency with just two engines instead of three. The 777's wider cabin (5.87 m vs 5.72 m) and newer technology made it the clear market winner. The MD-11 fell short of its promised performance specifications, particularly in range, which contributed to airline cancellations. Only 200 MD-11s were delivered compared to over 1,600 Boeing 777s across all variants.

The MD-11 looks similar to the DC-10 but has winglets (upward-curving wingtip extensions), a slightly stretched fuselage, and a smaller tailplane. Like the DC-10, it has a third engine mounted at the base of the vertical stabilizer with a straight-through intake. The cockpit windows have a more angular shape than the DC-10. Today, MD-11s are only seen in cargo liveries, primarily with FedEx and UPS.

The MD-11 was retired from passenger service by KLM in 2014, the last airline to operate it for passengers. However, the MD-11F (freighter) variant remains in active cargo service. FedEx Express is by far the largest operator with over 60 MD-11F aircraft forming a crucial part of their express delivery network. UPS Airlines also operates a significant fleet. The MD-11's large cargo capacity and reliable tri-jet configuration have kept it viable for freight operations, though replacement by the Boeing 777F is underway.