Why did the MD-11 never gain popularity? (commercial, engines, Boeing)
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I personally have always thought it was a beautiful, modern aircraft. Growing up, I loved watching the American Airlines MD-11s take off at DFW in the early 90s. However, it seems to me they never really got much use after 2000 and are barely around even as a cargo jet. It featured a glass cockpit and a 2 man flight crew (no flight engineer necessary), a sleek design, and I'm surprised it never met expectations. What lead to its premature downfall?
I personally have always thought it was a beautiful, modern aircraft. Growing up, I loved watching the American Airlines MD-11s take off at DFW in the early 90s. However, it seems to me they never really got much use after 2000 and are barely around even as a cargo jet. It featured a glass cockpit and a 2 man flight crew (no flight engineer necessary), a sleek design, and I'm surprised it never met expectations. What lead to its premature downfall?
I remember Robert Crandall complaining after AA got its first MD11s that their fuel consumption was too high (and therefore, the actual range didn't match what was promised). I think M-D addressed that with add-on tanks, but that bad PR early on couldn't have helped sales.
But I'd guess the main reason for the MD11's early disappearance was the arrival of the 777.
I think Fedex is still flying them, though.... I read somewhere that they're highly regarded as freighters, and that some of the passenger versions have second careers hauling cargo.
Location: Was Midvalley Oregon; Now Eastside Seattle area
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Three engines take more fuel than 2 engines. Three works well for freighters because they can probably reach their destination on two engines. While a passenger plane will divert to the nearest accommodating airport ASAP whether it is a three or two engined plane. . Next day delivery is important for freight but not so with humans.
The MD-11 was already obsolete on the day of its maiden flight.
Not only was the range not as promised, as already noted. But ETOPS had already arrived. Both the A330 and 777 were just around the corner. Three engines equates to substantial extra weight, cost, fuel consumption, and maintenance. When two engines can do the same job as three, with a commensurate drop in operating and procurement costs, it becomes a no brainer. I'm surprised that the -11 sold as many as it did (200 copies IIRC).
A few reasons. The big one was that Boeing came out with the 777 a few years after the M11 and airlines preferred the two to three engine setup. Also the M11, IIRC promised better range than actually promised. What's crazy is how they were retired less than 10 years in by AA and DL.
A few reasons. The big one was that Boeing came out with the 777 a few years after the M11 and airlines preferred the two to three engine setup. Also the M11, IIRC promised better range than actually promised. What's crazy is how they were retired less than 10 years in by AA and DL.
AA has a history with short lived fleet types. Before the MD-11, there was the Fokker 100, BAC-111-400, and Convair 990.
McDonnell-Douglas tried to salvage their commercial side of the business, by tweaking two old designs on the cheap. The MD-11 and MD-95. Not enough airlines were interested.
Add Airbus A333, The E190, 737-300, 747-SP, Saab SF3 as well.
The 330-300's will be almost 20 years old by the time they retire them.
The 190's roughy 15.
Not sure about the 737-300 and 747 though.
The F100 was a POS jet.
The MD11 was bought for a specific purpose, I want to say Hawaii flying out of San Diego, and it never met MD's projected numbers. So it was just an excess airframe at that point.
McDonnell-Douglas tried to salvage their commercial side of the business, by tweaking two old designs on the cheap. The MD-11 and MD-95. Not enough airlines were interested.
The MD-95 which I believe became the 717 was a TWA bird. They ordered a bunch but AA canceled them when they bought TWA. They already had a bunch of MD82/83 aircraft and didn't want another, similar, fleet type. Plus they were fairly small. Then 9/11 happened and airlines downsized while upsizing the RJ, and the 717 fell right inbetween the mainline 737/A320 and E170/CRJ700. AirTran did operate quite a few of them, I believe they were the ex-TWA aircraft, now at Delta.
Just a victim of circumstance. Nowadays the E195 series and CS100 is a much better airframe in the similar size range.
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