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McDonnell Douglas DC-10

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is an American trijet wide-body jet airliner developed by McDonnell Douglas.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is an American trijet wide-body jet airliner developed by McDonnell Douglas. It first flew in 1970 and entered passenger service with American Airlines in 1971. The aircraft was designed for medium- to long-range routes and later used in cargo and military variants.

Development and design

McDonnell Douglas developed the DC-10 as a wide-body trijet for medium- and long-range operations. Its design used two engines under the wings and a third at the base of the vertical stabilizer.

Operational history

The DC-10 first flew in 1970 and entered service in 1971 with American Airlines. It later served multiple airlines and remained in use beyond its passenger career in cargo and other specialist operations.

Variants and military use

Besides the passenger version, the aircraft was adapted into the KC-10 Extender for the U.S. Air Force. Sources also note continued use of DC-10 and related MD-11 aircraft as cargo carriers.

Key facts

  • The DC-10 is a three-engine, wide-body commercial jet.
  • It was intended to succeed the DC-8 on long-haul routes.
  • The aircraft first flew on 29 August 1970.
  • American Airlines introduced the DC-10 into service on 5 August 1971.
  • A military derivative, the KC-10 Extender, was developed for aerial refuelling and transport.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may recognize the DC-10 from its long history in North American commercial aviation and its continued presence in cargo and specialized operations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the McDonnell Douglas DC-10?
It is an American wide-body trijet airliner designed by McDonnell Douglas for medium- to long-range flights.
When did the DC-10 first fly?
The DC-10 first flew on 29 August 1970.
When did it enter airline service?
American Airlines introduced the DC-10 on 5 August 1971.
How many engines does it have?
The DC-10 has three engines: two under the wings and one at the base of the tail.
Was the DC-10 used by the military?
Yes. The KC-10 Extender was a military derivative used for aerial refuelling and cargo transport.
Is the DC-10 still used?
Passenger service has largely ended, but some DC-10s and related aircraft continued in cargo and specialised roles.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_DC-10
    Supports: Aircraft type, first flight, introduction, and general development history.
  2. Pima Air & Space Museum — https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10/
    Supports: Development background, passenger-carrying role, and later cargo use.
  3. GlobalAir — https://www.globalair.com/aircraft-specifications/mcdonnell-douglas/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-specifications/812
    Supports: General description of the DC-10 as a trijet wide-body airliner and engine configuration.
  4. Northwest Airlines History — https://northwestairlineshistory.org/aircraft-mcdonnell-douglas-dc10/
    Supports: Passenger service history and retirement context.
  5. Simple English Wikipedia — https://www.simplewiki.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_DC-10
    Supports: Production total and successor relationship to the MD-11.