First (and last?) flight on a MD-11
The name of this beauty: Audrey Hepburn
A few weeks ago I had the chance to fly for the very first time an iconic aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 on the San Francisco-Amsterdam Schiphol route.
First, and, very likely last time for me, as well, because there are just four of them operating commercially and the only airline that operates them, the Dutch flag carrier KLM, plans to withdraw them by the end of 2014.
The MD-11, a more modern derivative of the DC-10 (that has also recently withdrawn from commercial service by the last airline operating it, Biman of Bangladesh) his easily recognizable because of its 3-engine configuration, that gave it a very characteristic shape.
A closer view of the KLM MD-11 that flew us from San Francisco, here at Amsterdam Schiphol airport shortly after landing
Although it might not be as efficient or lack the amenities of more modern wide-body aircraft, I am sure, the three-engined airliner is going to be missed by the aviation enthusiast community!