Home Classic Airliners Who still flies the DC-10 in 2020?

Who still flies the DC-10 in 2020?

by Matt Falcus

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was a true workhorse airliner which sadly we don’t see much of these days.

Built over a number of variants, it was capable of long-haul travel as well as high-density short- and medium-haul routes.

The DC-10 was common in the fleets of most international airlines, flying out of the world’s major hub airports. It was also used extensively by governments, cargo carriers, and in its military role as a tanker known as the KC-10.

So, who still flies the DC-10 in 2020? Here are a few examples:

 

FedEx Express

Las Vegas DC-10 FedEx

Probably the biggest operator of the DC-10 today (aside from the US Air Force) is FedEx Express. Their once huge fleet was mostly converted into the MD-10 variant, with upgraded avionics and 2-man cockpit.

Sadly many are finding their way to the desert this year.

 

Project Orbis

This charity which works to fight blindness has operated airliners in a ‘flying hospital’ configuration for many years. The current steed is N330AU, a former FedEx MD-10-30 which flew for Transamerica Airlines earlier in its life.

It’s based at Victorville, CA when not flying.

 

Royal Netherlands Air Force

One of the military operators of the DC-10, the Royal Netherlands Air Force still has two examples in service (one was retired recently). These aircraft operate in tanker and troop transport roles, and are based at Eindhoven.

 

Omega Air

Omega Air DC-10 (c) Phil Vabre

A private contractor which works with the military and other organisations. Its DC-10 aircraft are tankers capable of air-to-air refuelling. They are based in California, but can be seen on missions worldwide.

 

DC-10 Air Tanker

10 Tanker DC-10 (c) Alan Radecki. Creative Commons.

You may have seen images and videos of airliners fighting wildfires in the USA. One company is known as 10 Tanker Air Carrier and operates four DC-10s in this waterbomber configuration. They are: N17085, N603AX, N612AX and N522AX. A fifth example is due, N621AX.

 

US Air Force

USAF KC-10

The largest current operator of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, albeit in the special KC-10 configuration which is used for cargo, troop transport and aerial tanker roles.

These aircraft are mostly based at McGuire AFB, NJ.

 

 

Some Preserved DC-10s

DC-10 Restaurant at Kotoka Airport, Ghana
9G-ANB – La Tante Restaurant, near Accra Airport, Ghana.

 

Un avion sur le toit

Z-AVT – Tail mounted on restaurant, near Kerobokan, Indonesia

 

 

Flying Firsts

Find out more about the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, its important dates, history, technical specifics and dates in Flying Firsts, a new airliner reference book from Martyn Cartledge.

It covers all airliners and variants from the 1930s to the present day.

Order Here

 

 

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3 comments

Robert December 14, 2020 - 5:01 am

I remember my horror when I saw on the news one of the first commercial flights of a DC10 lose an engine on take off. It turned over and crashed in a fireball killing all passengers and crew.

Reply
Matt Falcus December 14, 2020 - 11:12 am

Yes that was horrific!

Reply
Aminyahouse June 13, 2023 - 7:42 pm

Hi, besides FedEx The Royal Air forces and tankers, there is technically one or two DC-10 F variant still flying here in Bolivia where I live. The airline name ia TAB CARGO. Also FedEx is planning to retire (or has retired) their DC-10’s. So technically the only commercial transport is with TAB CARGO. The only fleet of this cargo transporter is 2 DC-10’s For now there is only one DC-10 flying commercially but there is one stored in La Paz Bolivia in one hangar if im not wrong (temporally). This is due to maintainance. The aircraft has not been operating with the other DC-10 because of some issues. I just left this comment here so yeah bye 🙂

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