An MD-11 in KLM livery at Amsterdam (AMS).

An MD-11 in KLM livery at Amsterdam (AMS).

This is a guest story by Drew Vane on the classic MD-11.

In July of this year,  KLM started retiring their fleet of MD-11s with plans to replace them with more fuel efficient aircraft. “Phasing out the MD11 forms part of KLM’s ongoing fleet renewal programme,” a KLM spokesperson explained to AirlineReporter.com. “The last of KLM’s ten MD11s is expected to leave the fleet by the end of 2014.” For the long term, KLM plans to replace the MD-11s with 787-9s, but until then, they will Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s.

In my last article, I highlighted the DC-9 and its impending departure from the commercial skies.  I’d thought its time was coming to a close, but Delta surprised me by extending the DC-9’s usage an additional year, but it looks like KLM won’t be delaying their MD-11 retirements.

The flight deck of a KLM MD-11. Photo by Dave H.

The flight deck of a KLM MD-11 (PH-KCB). Photo by Dave H.

Once KLM phases out the MD-11, there will be no other commercial airline flying this widebody tri-jet for scheduled passenger service.  It’s anticipated that only few cargo and charter airlines will use the MD-11 in their fleet before disappearing from the sky forever.

The MD-11 came about when the aviation engineers at McDonnell Douglas decided an upgrade to the DC-10 was warranted.  Instead of inventing a new aircraft, McDonnell Douglas took an already existing popular wide-body aircraft, whose biggest user and launch customer was American Airlines, and made it better.

The DC-10 was plagued with poor media attention due to some catastrophic failures in the 70’s and 80’s, including the worst commercial air disaster in US history, the loss of American Airlines Flight 191. With that flight, a DC-10 rolled over following takeoff and crashed in Chicago on May 25, 1979 which resulted in 270 deaths.

KLM MD-11 at AMS with Northwest DC-10s in the background. Image taken in 2001 by Ken Fielding.

KLM MD-11 at AMS with Northwest DC-10s in the background. Image taken in 2001 by Ken Fielding.

New technological advances had a major impact on what led to the DC-10 Super 60 project, what would eventually become the MD-11.  Boeing’s website best describes what exactly made the MD-11 better than its predecessor.  Specifically it states that the MD-11 has ’œadvances in aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft systems, cockpit avionics and interior design.’  What does all the mean? Well, a leaner and meaner version of the DC-10.  Here is a summary of the modifications:

  • Advanced Cockpit: Fly-by-wire technology, CRT displays, dual flight management system computer (eliminates need for a flight engineer), hydraulic fuses to prevent loss of control in catastrophic conditions, central fault display system, GPS, and Cat III automatic landing capability for extremely bad weather.
  • Composite Materials: Usage of light weight composites reduced overall weight and allowed for a fuselage 40 feet longer than the DC-10.
  • Aerodynamic design: Added winglets produce 2.5% more efficiency in drag as well as wing and tail improvements.
  • More efficient engines: More efficient aircraft engines were developed by Pratt & Whitney, GE and Rolls Royce.   New engine types resulted in greater thrust as less fuel usage and longer range.

The table below highlights how these improvements directly related to a longer range and more efficient aircraft.  To make things apples to apples, I’ve chosen versions that were the best of each aircraft type.

DC-10-30

MD-11 ER

Cockpit Crew

3

2

Passengers (3-class)

255

293

Passengers (2-class)

285

323

Maximum Range (full load)

6,600 mi

7,240 mi

Maximum Cruise Speed

Mach 0.88

Mach 0.88

Maximum Takeoff Weight

572,000 lbs

630,500 lbs

Maximum Fuel

36,650 gallons

38, 615 gallons

Engines  – Thrust

PW4462 – 62,000 lbf

PW JT9D-59A – 53,000 lbf

Fuselage Length

170 ft

192 ft

Wingspan

165 ft

169 ft

So, what we have is a longer range aircraft that is capable of carrying more passengers with less crew and a state-of-the-art cockpit.

If you want to catch a ride on one of these ’œMighty Dogs’ after KLM retires their 9 remaining aircraft, short of buying your own, you’ll have to fly on a charter flight or ship yourself via Fedex, UPS, Eva Cargo or Lufthansa Cargo.

British Airways Boeing 777. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.

British Airways Boeing 777. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.

Recently, British Airways started keeping information on some of their VIP customers and searching for their images online all in the name of service. The program, called “Know Me,” has some privacy advocates worried.

“Last year we re-committed to the ethos: To Fly. To Serve. That’s what ’˜Know Me’ is all about – enabling us to recognise our customers in a way that is individual to them,” Jo Boswell, head of customer analysis at British Airways, stated. ’œWe’re essentially trying to recreate the feeling of recognition you get in a favourite restaurant when you’re welcomed there, but in our case it will be delivered by thousands of staff to millions of customers.’

The idea is simple enough. Airline employees have iPads which contain information on high-end passengers. What kind of food they prefer, if it is the first time they have flown with a certain product and if they might have had previous issues flying on the airline. The software also allows the crew to identify a passenger by searching Google Images.

Although many passengers probably appreciate this high-level of service, not everyone is so happy. According to CNN, Emma Carr, deputy director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch stated, “Since when has buying a flight ticket meant giving your airline permission to start hunting for information about you on the internet?” Fundamentally, British Airways has not asked their passengers’ permission to take part in this scheme. Surely, if they want to search Google to find pictures and any other information all they have to do is ask?”

Why wouldn’t an airline take advantage of this? I am pretty sure photos found on the internet are part of the public domain, that anyone could find.

The airline states that they will not be doing this level of service for a huge majority of the passengers, but just the rare few who probably are used to being known. According the British Airways, the service is being well received. “The early results have been extremely positive, our customers love being recognised and treated as an individual, and our customer service staff and cabin crew feel empowered to deliver a really bespoke service,” Boswell said. “This is just the start though ’“ the system has a myriad of possibilities for the future.’

What do you think? Is this a genius customer service move, creepy or an invasion of privacy?

Terry Kraabel took this photo of an Air France jet landing at the Saint Marteen airport in the Caribbean. This beach is just shy of the airport, making it appear as though the plane is about to land on it. Kraabel took the photo from an airport restaurant.

Terry Kraabel took this photo of an Air France jet landing at the Saint Marteen airport in the Caribbean.

I grew up reading Airways Magazine (and still do today) and it probably helped to inspire me to start my blog. This January they are doing something pretty epic and you should join them.

From January 12-19th, 2013, Airways will be hosting a Caribbean Cruise for AvGeeks. The trip includes a full day stop in St. Maarten, which is probably one of the world’s best plane spotting locations.

A Corsair Boeing 747-400 lands at St. Maarten. Image by Chris Sloan / Airchive.com.

A Corsair Boeing 747-400 lands at St. Maarten. Image by Chris Sloan / Airchive.com.

The cruise will leave from San Juan and travel to Puerto Rico, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas and of course Saint Maarten. With tickets starting at $749 (per person), it is hard to pass up.

I am not fully sure what if my schedule will allow me to attend at this point, but you better believe I will be trying my best to make the journey. If you decided to make the trip, be sure to tell them that AirlineReporter.com sent you. Hope to see you there.

Yesterday, United Airline’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Paine Field on its first test flight. Luckily Malcolm Muir and Boeing were there to catch some great photos.

The three hour flight took the 787 over Washington state and northern Oregon before heading back to Paine Field. During the flight, Boeing crew members put the 787’s systems through multiple tests.

United is expected to take delivery of its first of 50 Dreamliners in late September.

United's first 787 takes off from Paine Field. Image from United.

United’s first 787 takes off from Paine Field. Image from United.

And we have lift off. Image from United.

And we have lift off. Image from United.

United's first 787 returns to Paine Field on August 19th. Image by Malcolm Murr.

United’s first 787 returns to Paine Field on August 19th. Image by Malcolm Muir.

United's 787 touches down in Everett. Image by Malcolm Muir.

United’s 787 touches down in Everett. Image by Malcolm Muir.

United's 787 Taxiing at Paine Field. Image by Malcolm Muir.

United’s 787 Taxiing at Paine Field. Image by Malcolm Muir.

A Wind Jet Airbus A320. Image by Daniel Blok / Flickr CC.

A Wind Jet Airbus A319. Image by Daniel Blok / Flickr CC.

Try not to get too attached to this Wind Jet livery — the airline ceased operations on August 11, 2012.

The Italian-based airline was founded in 2003 and operated scheduled service in Italy and to destinations in Europe, to Egypt and seasonally to Israel.

Wind Jet operated a fleet of five Airbus A319s and seven Airbus A320s in an all economy format.

In January 2012, Alitalia started the process of merging with Wind Jet. The Italian antitrust authority gave Alitialia authorization to move forward, but were told they would have to give up slots on some of their most important routes. Altalia decided to pull out of the merger and Wind Jet was not able to stay in business.

I have to say that I love this livery. The orange nose, engines and tail go well together. It is not just any livery that can pull off a white body and colored nose. Too bad it will be flying no longer.