UPS Retires MD-11 Fleet in Aftermath of Louisville Crash

January 27, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1769542290387-2211

Logistics Giant Ends Decades of Trijet Cargo Operations Following Deadly Accident

UPS has fully retired its McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter fleet, bringing an end to decades of trijet cargo operations after a fatal crash in 2025. In its fourth-quarter earnings report, UPS confirmed the retirement of all 26 MD-11Fs it still owned. The decision was accelerated following the deadly accident, which claimed the lives of three crewmembers and 12 people on the ground. As part of its fleet modernization plan, UPS will take delivery of new Boeing 767s over the next 15 months.

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Key Takeaways

UPS has retired its entire fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighters.
The decision follows a deadly crash in 2025 that claimed the lives of three crewmembers and 12 people on the ground.
The airline had already been phasing out MD-11s in favor of more fuel-efficient, twin-engine freighters.

Boeing

Strategic Implications

This move may indicate UPS’s commitment to fleet modernization and safety following a major accident. The retirement of the MD-11 fleet could also signal a shift towards more efficient and reliable cargo operations.