30 replies to this topic

[airline55]

A milestone in the United States Airline Industry will be reaced on January 8, 2007. On that date, Northwest Airlines will officially retire the last of it's fleet of DC-10s, becoming the last major U.S. passenger airlines to retire it's three-engined aircrafts. Previously, most (if not all) of the major U.S. airlines had, at one point or another, operated tri-jets. It is also likely that the last tri-jet has already been built, as engine power has virtually eliminated the gap between the two engined aircraft and the four engined long haul jets like the Boeing 747.

[WingsOTWorld]

WHAT!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sobs*...i only rode the DC-10 once, United from IAD-SEA...I loved the ride, it was so enjoyable, and the only domestic trip i can recall in the USA where I didn't immediately leave the country after the flight was over. What other airlines will keep a fleet of DC 10 operating longer than NWA? Thai?

[CaptKornDog]

Wow indeed a sad sad day ahead of us. I guess the only comfort is that they are being generally replaced by A330s, which on NWA might be a comfortable trip MSP-HNL as well.

[WingsOTWorld]

The A332s already do a great job on the BKK-NRT route...but it gets a bit cramped in there with all the AV Equipment...esp the "wall" that exists when you sit window side...so annoying. Its one of the benefits the 744 had over the A332 when it ran...but it made for a boring as heck ride.

[HADC10]

It won't be the last trijet. Remember that one business jet, the Dassult Falcon, I think. Also, the DC-10 will remain in service with Biman and Ghana Airways. This will make LHR, of all places, the place to spot DC-10s, at least, passenger ones. Memphis will still have it's share of FedEx aircraft.

[Maestro69]

I guess it had to come one day. Pity no more three-engine passenger aircraft will be built and most current variants will be seen doing cargo duties around the world. Time changes and so does NW.

[drv4truk]

I remember my first DC-10 flight. :airplane That was flying NWA from Boston to Glasgow, back in 1991.

[FSPilot]

The US air force still flys KC-10s and probably will for a while.

IIRC, the Netherlands do as well. Not sure though.

[WingsOTWorld]

Ok...DC10s we can ride on please...lol...so Biman Bangledesh and Ghana....that sounds promising......no not really....any bigger airlines? I know Thai hasn't gotten rid of its MD-11s yet....i dont think.

[FSPilot]

Ok...DC10s we can ride on please...lol

Not anymore you can't.

I was just trying to look on the bright side.

[sawilson1971]

KLM and Finnair still fly MD11s. Incedentally if you want a marathon 24 hour journey on a trijet, but this time an L1011 Tristar the you can book tickets from Brize Norton to Mount Pleasant via Ascencion. The cost is approx $1500 and the flight is operated by the Royal Air Force. Its the only commercially bookable flight by the RAF and the only flight in the world where you are escorted to your destination airfield by Tornado F3 Fighters. Hurry and book soon though as in 18 months the L1011 is to be replaced by an A330.

Regards

Steve

[FSPilot]

the only flight in the world where you are escorted to your destination airfield by Tornado F3 Fighters.

For some reason I doubt that that is the ONLY flight that will be escorted by Tornados.

[TorqueWrench]

For some reason I doubt that that is the ONLY flight that will be escorted by Tornados.

Probably one of the very few passenger services...

[VC-10]

LHR is the place to come. We have the Ghana and Biamin DC-10s, and MD-11s from Eva Cargo. Varig used to fly them in, though I haven't seen anything Varig for a while.

[CaptKornDog]

I think KLM and Finnair are the best bets for flying a passenger tri-jet still. Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to to fly on a DC-10 (only really 727s for tri-jets), so maybe that New Year's MSP-HNL trip is in order for me after all...there's one scheduled for January 6th

ATA also flies chartered L1011s still as well.

[WingsOTWorld]

Well if any of these trijets are on the used market 20 yrs from now....how about salvaging one and starting Airline Empires Charter Flights? Or at least a jet just for us members...he he he....

[LeipeLimbo]

The US air force still flys KC-10s and probably will for a while.

IIRC, the Netherlands do as well. Not sure though.

they do . The royal dutch airforce has 2 old Martin-air tri-jets . i remember being flown to Bosnia in 1 . with half the martin-air interior still in place , the other half stripped and being converted into a cargo/tanker compartiment .

[airline55]

Yes, very sad, I had previously flown on two tri-jets, a Sun Country DC-10 and a Delta L-1011, so it is sad to see these big jets go.

[StephenM]

I was thinking of flying ORD-JFK-HEL-DUB to get an MD-11 in September when I head home for college but you can only book Business Class on the Finnair website for JFK-HEL which is a little bit more than I can afford!

[buduku83]

I was thinking of flying ORD-JFK-HEL-DUB to get an MD-11 in September when I head home for college but you can only book Business Class on the Finnair website for JFK-HEL which is a little bit more than I can afford!

I think if you try to book a roud trip ticket you can get an economy fare, and you could have the chance to fly in one of the latest MD11 in European airlines...