Summary
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 could soon be returning to the skies in regular cargo service after months of uncertainty following the worldwide grounding of the type in late 2025.
According to reports, FedEx Express is preparing to begin reactivating its MD-11 fleet with a short proving flight to Miami as the airline works toward bringing the classic trijet back into operation.
For aviation enthusiasts, it marks a surprising comeback for one of the last major fleets of MD-11 aircraft still flying anywhere in the world.
FedEx’s Return-To-Service Plan
FedEx has reportedly been working closely with Boeing to redesign and certify a replacement component linked to the grounding issue. The airline is now said to be “highly confident” the aircraft can safely return to service.
The first stage of the reactivation plan involves a relatively short cargo sector to Miami, allowing crews and engineers to validate the aircraft’s operational readiness before wider deployment across the network.
FedEx operates its major Latin America cargo hub in Miami, making the airport a logical location for initial MD-11 operations once flights resume.
The airline had originally planned to retire the MD-11 fleet gradually by 2032 as more Boeing 767Fs and Boeing 777Fs joined the fleet. However, the grounding temporarily accelerated uncertainty around the aircraft’s future.
Why The MD-11 Was Grounded
The MD-11 fleet operated by FedEx, UPS and other cargo airlines was grounded after the fatal crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 in Louisville in November 2025.
Following the accident, the FAA issued emergency airworthiness directives requiring inspections and corrective actions on all MD-11 aircraft before they could return to service.
The grounding had a major impact on cargo operations, particularly for FedEx, which remains the world’s largest MD-11 operator.
UPS subsequently decided to retire its entire MD-11 fleet permanently, leaving FedEx as the main remaining operator of the type.
One Of Aviation’s Last Trijets
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was developed as an advanced successor to the DC-10 and first entered service in 1990.
Although passenger airlines retired the type years ago — with KLM operating the final passenger flight in 2014 — the aircraft found a second life in the cargo market thanks to its large payload and long range.
Today, FedEx’s fleet represents one of the last chances for aviation enthusiasts to regularly see the MD-11 operating commercial flights.
FedEx MD-11 Fleet Information
This is the current active FedEx Express McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet:
- N521FE – parked at Memphis
- N522FE – parked at Memphis
- N523FE – parked at New York JFK
- N525FE – parked at Tampa
- N528FE – parked at Miami International
- N572FE – parked at Anchorage Ted Stevens International
- N573FE – parked at Anchorage Ted Stevens International
- N574FE – parked at Singapore Changi
- N583FE – parked at Memphis
- N590FE – parked at Memphis
- N591FE – parked at Anchorage Ted Stevens International
- N595FE – parked at Tokyo Narita
- N596FE – parked at Memphis
- N603FE – parked at Singapore Changi
- N605FE – parked at Memphis
- N607FE – parked at Los Angeles International
- N609FE – parked at Oakland International
- N610FE – parked a Phoenix Sky Harbor
- N613FE – parked at Taipei Taoyuan
- N615FE – parked at El Paso
- N617FE – parked at Memphis
- N618FE – parked at Houston George Bush Intercontinental
- N620FE – parked at Houston George Bush Intercontinental
- N621FE – parked at Memphis
- N624FE – parked a Newark Liberty International
- N625FE – parked at Seattle Tacoma
- N631FE – parked at Anchorage Ted Stevens International
- N642FE – parked at Houston George Bush Intercontinental
- N643FE – parked at Honolulu
Retired FedEx MD-11s stored at Victorville. Photo: Aero Icarus
In addition to this, there are around 37 additional FedEx Express MD-11s stored at various aircraft boneyards and storage sites, such as Victorville Southern California Logistics. These aircraft are not expected to fly again.
A Rare Aircraft Gets Another Lease Of Life
For plane spotters, the return of the MD-11 will be welcome news. The aircraft’s distinctive three-engine layout and unmistakable silhouette have made it a favourite among enthusiasts for decades.
With quadjets rapidly disappearing and trijets becoming even rarer, the continued survival of the MD-11 gives cargo aviation fans one of the last opportunities to regularly see a classic widebody design still earning its keep in modern airline service.
