MD-11 Demand

[Northwest 102]

Is there enough demand for Boeing maybe to reintroduce the MD11?  I know demand really slowed on the 757 and forced a shut down but maybe demand for the larger MD11 is still there?

MIKE

[Felix/FFDS]

What can the MD-11 do that the 747 can't?

[Northwest 102]

For one thing the MD-11 is smaller and it has one less engine to maintain.  Less downtime.  I think I read somewhere that FedEx is very angry with Boeing for shutting down that line.

MIKE

[Craig.]

No there isnt. As much as i love the plane the simple fact is, it was a huge failure. Fed-ex may be the only company wanting to see it back Tri-jets for the forseeable future are gone.
The MD11 has too many problems to reintroduce it. Range is well below what was promised, the tails to short so low speed handling is awful at best. And with twin jets having the reliability they do and quads being as efficient as they are becoming theres no need for the tri-jet anymore or at least not on a heavy at this time.

[Nexus]

I fully agree with Craig (Sticking with the professor in the subject  :) )
The MD11 has played out it's role as pax transport in the near future. But it will probably continue to haul cargo for many years to come. Just as the 727's and Dc8's did and still do  :)

And of course FedEx is mad, How do you think Delta Airlines felt when the TriStar production ended in 1985?

[Northwest 102]

I would invest in the project if they were able to do what they're doing in the 7E7 program.  If they Boeing were to deliver more range buy using better more fuel efficient engines corporations would buy.  Delta did eventually buy the MD-11 and I believe most MD-11s are still flying.

MIKE

[Nexus]

[quote]I would invest in the project if they were able to do what they're doing in the 7E7 program.

[Craig.]

there isnt any way to adapt the 7E7 technology to the MD11, two very differant airframes and two very differant systems. They would have to spend millions on reopening the assembly line. millions on training new engineers. and so on, and there just is no interest from the airlines, fedex couldnt cover the costs alone. The plane is also rather pricey for what it is and since KLM one of the last main operators of this plane is removing them from service for the 777, i think fed-ex will get those when swiss gets rid of theirs again fed-ex. I would like to see them flying more, but it would never happen, let me put it this way. The DC10-30NG would be more likely to make an apperance than an MD11(and i pray to god it will someday:))

[Northwest 102]

Whats the DC10-30NG?  I've never heard of an NG model.

MIKE

[Craig.]

LOL that was my point. It would be the NG if it was rebuilt like the MD11 would be the Md11NG if it was to be rebuilt and so on

[Mr. Bones]

with the fuel getting more expensive every day (get used to it children, when you are old, there won't be any left!  :P ) i don't think there's a future for tri-jets since we have twin jets with ETOPS qualifications who burn less fuel!