Freighters · McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 MD11
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is a three-engine widebody derived from the DC-10, recognizable by the third engine built into its tail. It began as a passenger airliner but survives almost entirely as the MD-11F freighter. It is one of the last trijets still flying commercially.
MD-11s airborne over the US now
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of all airborne aircraftplus — on the ground
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MD-11s in the air over the last 24 hours
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Specifications
- ICAO code
- MD11
- First flight
- 1990
- Typical cruise
- 473 kt / 544 mph
- Service ceiling
- 43,000 ft
- Range
- 3,500 nm / 4,028 mi
- Capacity
- ~90 t payload (MD-11F)
- Length
- 61.6 m / 202 ft
- Wingspan
- 51.7 m / 170 ft
Engines: 3 x GE CF6-80C2 or PW4000 turbofans. Family: DC-10 / MD-11. Figures are typical published values, rounded; real performance depends on variant, weight and conditions.
What it does in US skies
FedEx and UPS have flown large MD-11F fleets on overnight domestic and international cargo routes. In November 2025 the FAA grounded MD-11s after a fatal UPS MD-11 crash at Louisville, and operators have since reshaped their fleets, so the live count on this page is the best guide to how many are flying today.
Main US operators: FedEx, UPS, Western Global.
How to recognize a MD-11
- Third engine mounted in the base of the tail fin, above the rear fuselage.
- Small winglets that extend both above and below the wingtip.
- Longer fuselage and smaller horizontal tail than the similar DC-10.
- No passenger windows on freighters.
How it looks on a flight tracker
When flying, typically at FL300 to FL390 at 450 to 550 kt. FDX and UPS callsigns into Memphis and Louisville at night are the classic pattern.
History
The MD-11 entered service with Finnair in 1990. Only 200 were built, and it was the last widebody designed by McDonnell Douglas before its merger with Boeing.
Where MD-11s are right now
Open this view on airplanes.live →Questions
What is the ICAO code for the McDonnell Douglas MD-11?
The ICAO aircraft type designator for the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is MD11. Flight trackers and flight plans use this four-character code.
How fast does the MD-11 fly?
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 typically cruises at about 473 knots true airspeed (about 544 mph). Ground speed on a tracker varies with the wind.
How high can the MD-11 fly?
Its service ceiling is about 43,000 ft.