The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 or Boeing MD-11 as it was later named, is the most modern tri-jet in operation today. The aircraft offers a highly sophisticated flight deck and advanced automatic system controls that substantially reduce pilot workload.

The aircraft is in service with numerous of customers worldwide and was produced at Long Beach, California, at the Douglas Products Division of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes. At that time the aircraft was available in 4 different models; passenger, all freighter, convertible freighter and combi, where passengers and freight are carried on the main deck with additional freight carried below the deck. An optional ER feature was available on all models. The efficiency of the aircraft is obtained by advances in aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft systems, cockpit avionics and interior design. One of the most striking improvements in aerodynamic design include winglets and a redesigned wing trailing edge, a smaller horizontal tail with integral fuel tanks and an extended tail cone. These features all contribute to a decrease in total drag, fuel savings and an increase in range.

The MD-11 Combi aircraft offers operators outstanding passenger and cargo flexibility. Its overall specifications are the same as the standard MD-11 passengers version. The major difference compared to the standard version is a 160-inch wide by 102-inch high main-deck cargo door at the rear of the fuselage. This additional cargo door enables the combi to handle 20-foot long containers. The combi can be ordered in a variety of configurations, depending on customer requirements, providing several different ratios of passenger-to-cargo capacity. The combi may also be operated as a passenger airplane with no main-deck pallets.

Most people associate the MD-11 with its predecessor, the Douglas DC-10. The most significant differences between these two aircraft are the additional length of approximately 6 meters and fuel saving winglets.