UPS Retires MD-11 Fleet

Carrier confirms accelerated retirement in fourth-quarter earnings following fleet grounding.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 02:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Grounded UPS MD-11 aircraft [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

UPS has officially retired its entire fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighters, formally ending operations with the three-engine aircraft.
This accelerated retirement follows a deadly accident in November involving one of its MD-11 aircraft and the subsequent grounding of the fleet.
The decision was disclosed in the company's fourth-quarter 2025 earnings release, noting a non-cash charge tied to the early retirement of the aircraft.
Prior to the grounding, UPS maintained the world's second-largest MD-11 fleet with 31 aircraft, which were primarily used on long-haul international cargo routes.

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UPS has officially retired its remaining McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighters, formally ending operations with the three-engine aircraft following a deadly November accident and the subsequent grounding of the fleet.

The decision was disclosed in the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings release, published Jan. 27, in which the company confirmed it recorded a non-cash, after-tax charge tied to the accelerated retirement of the MD-11 aircraft. UPS did not specify an exact retirement date but indicated the fleet was removed from service during the fourth quarter.