McDonnell Douglas MD-11

The long-range trijet built as the final evolution of the DC-10.

Overview

McDonnell Douglas United States ICAO: MD11 1988–2000 Active $147.5 million (1999)

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is a widebody trijet developed as an advanced derivative of the DC-10. Introduced in the early 1990s, it featured improved aerodynamics and updated avionics. The aircraft served both passenger and cargo operators worldwide.

Live Fleet Activity (MD11)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
3 × Pratt & Whitney PW4460/62 or General Electric CF6-80C2D1F
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
3 × 61,500 lbf · 274 kN
Avionics
Honeywell VIA 2000 computers
Wing tips
Canted winglets
Seats
410 economy · 323 business · 293 first
Crew
—
Cabin width
18 ft 9 in  ·  5.71 m
Cabin height
7 ft 11 in  ·  2.41 m
Cabin length
152 ft 7 in  ·  46.51 m
Exterior length
202 ft 2 in  ·  61.62 m
Tail height
57 ft 11 in  ·  17.65 m
Fuselage diameter
19 ft 8 in  ·  6.00 m
Wing span
170 ft 6 in  ·  51.97 m
Baggage volume
5,297 ft³  ·  150.0 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
630,000 lb  ·  286,000 kg
Max landing weight
458,000 lb  ·  207,500 kg
Max payload
146,500 lb  ·  66,500 kg
Fuel capacity
41,600 gal · 157,500 L · 126,000 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
519 kt  ·  597 mph  ·  961 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
150 kt  ·  173 mph  ·  278 km/h
Range
7,240 nm  ·  8,330 mi  ·  13,410 km
Fuel burn
0.19 nm/gal  ·  0.09 km/L
Ceiling
43,000 ft  ·  13,100 m
Rate of climb
2,000 ft/min  ·  10 m/s
Takeoff distance
10,300 ft  ·  3,140 m
Landing distance
6,950 ft  ·  2,120 m
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FedEx MD-11 ‘N525FE’

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Operational Context

McDonnell Douglas MD-11 — long-range widebody trijet

The MD-11 first flew in 1990 and entered service in 1991. It incorporated winglets, a stretched fuselage, and advanced flight deck systems compared with the DC-10. The aircraft retained the distinctive tail-mounted third engine configuration.

Powered by three high-bypass turbofan engines producing between 60,000 and 62,000 pounds of thrust (267 to 276 kN) each depending on variant, the MD-11 cruises at around 490 knots (905 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 630,000 pounds (285,800 kg). Passenger capacity typically ranges from 285 to over 400 depending on configuration.

While passenger sales were limited compared with competitors, the MD-11 became widely used as a freighter. Many remain active in cargo service. The aircraft marks the final chapter in McDonnell Douglas widebody trijet development.