UPS Officially Retires MD‑11 Fleet Following Fatal Accident and Subsequent Grounding

UPS has formally withdrawn its remaining McDonnell Douglas MD‑11 freighters from service, marking the end of the carrier’s operations with the tri‑jet type. The move follows a fatal accident in November and the subsequent grounding of the entire MD‑11 fleet.

The retirement was confirmed in UPS’s fourth‑quarter 2025 earnings release, published on January 27. In the filing, the company disclosed a non‑cash, after‑tax charge associated with the accelerated phase‑out of the MD‑11. While UPS did not provide a specific retirement date, the company indicated that the aircraft were removed from service during the fourth quarter.

UPS grounded all MD‑11 operations in November after one of the aircraft was involved in a deadly accident. At the time, the company described the grounding as a precautionary measure while authorities conducted a full investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the incident. No further details have been released regarding the cause of the accident or the findings to date.

The retirement of the MD‑11 marks the end of an era for UPS, which had been one of the largest operators of the type. The decision also reflects a broader industry trend, as cargo carriers transition toward more efficient, twin‑engine widebody aircraft.