Finnaviation From Finland, joined Mar 2007, 253 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 3 months 19 hours ago) and read 18721 times:
So, after 20 years service with AY, this day has come:
Quote: Legendary Boeing MD-11 bids farewell to Finnair's passenger traffic
Flight AY022 from Delhi to Helsinki on Monday, 22 February is the final
passenger flight in scheduled traffic of Finnair's MD-11 aircraft. Finnair
began its successful conquest of Asia with the wide-bodied MD-11 at the turn of
the millennium, and this type of aircraft has been in the company's service for
nearly 20 years.
To date Finnair's MD-11 fleet has behind it around 400,000 flying hours and
more than 50,000 landings. Overall, Finnair's MD-11s have carried around 14
million passengers.
"In 1990 Finnair introduced the MD-11 on a flight from Helsinki to Las Palmas,
becoming the first airline in the world to operate the aircraft. In its time
the aircraft, which is excellent in terms of its performance, represented
state-of-the-art technology," says MD-11 Fleet Chief Rabbe-Holger Wrede.
"Over the years Finnair has been one of the pioneers in the use of the best
modern technology and now it's the right time to move on to new, more
environmentally friendly aircraft. Our long-haul fleet now consists of Airbus
A330 and A340 aircraft. In 2014 our fleet will be further supplemented by
totally new Airbus A350 aircraft," explains Finnair's SVP Communications
Christer Haglund.
The company's long-haul fleet will now consist only of A340 and A330 aircraft,
which will harmonise the long-haul fleet with the European fleet and its A320
series aircraft. The fleet modernisation significantly improves both
profitability and environmental efficiency. The new Airbus long-haul aircraft
consume 20 per cent less fuel per passenger than the MD-11 they replace.
Of all the world's network airlines, Finnair now flies its scheduled flights
with the most modern fleet. The average age of Finnair's aircraft is under six
years.
The two MD-11 owned by Finnair are on sale. The possibility of continuing to
use them in Finnair's cargo traffic is also being assessed.
Finnair Plc
Communications
19.2.2010
On Monday 22nd Feb AY's last MD-11 OH-LGG(48753/608) does this DEL-HEL and there is one more chartered flight to go (HEL-YVR-HEL) and then it's over with AY and passenger MD-11's.
Thanks for excellent, fast and smooth rides! I'm gonna miss these rockets especially next time when flying AY longhaul with weak and ordinary-nothing special-Airbus machines.
surfandsnow From United States of America, joined Jan 2009, 2588 posts, RR: 31 Reply 3, posted (3 years 3 months 18 hours ago) and read 18476 times:
Quoting ELAL 744 (Reply 1): Who still operates the MD11 for pax?
I think this move leaves KLM as the sole MD-11 operator (for pax). The MD-11 didn't stick around for long with many of its operators - in the case of AA, KE, and TG, older A300s [have] outlasted their younger counterparts by several years!
Flying in the middle seat of coach is much better than not flying at all!
The Mad Dog served AY well but it's time to say good bye...
I had a chance to fly their MD11 several times especially on HEL-BKK, also on BKK-HKG and even on HEL-STN (charter) once.
Quoting Finnaviation (Thread starter): In 1990 Finnair introduced the MD-11 on a flight from Helsinki to Las Palmas
The first MD11 (OH-LGA) was delivered to AY on December 7 1990 and according to Finnair's own site the very first commercial MD11 flight was a charter from Helsinki to Tenerife on 20 December 1990, not Gran Canary.
Quoting Finnaviation (Thread starter): The two MD-11 owned by Finnair are on sale. The possibility of continuing to
use them in Finnair's cargo traffic is also being assessed.
Would be cool to see AY MD11 Cargo According to their press release Finnair's cargo demand in Asian traffic grew in January by 40 per cent from the previous year.
Quoting ELAL 744 (Reply 1): Who still operates the MD11 for pax?
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4117 posts, RR: 37 Reply 6, posted (3 years 3 months 17 hours ago) and read 18327 times:
Quoting Finnaviation (Thread starter): I'm gonna miss these rockets especially next time when flying AY longhaul with weak and ordinary-nothing special-Airbus machines.
I especially took a BKK R/T with Finnair in december to get an AY MD-11 in my logbook, but I must admit the A-330 on the way back was more comfortable, Finnairs seatpitch on the MD-11s was just TOO tight for comfort and due to that stupid footrest I couldn't stretch my legs.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
VC10er From United States of America, joined Feb 2007, 2423 posts, RR: 9 Reply 8, posted (3 years 3 months 16 hours ago) and read 18147 times:
I will shed a tear when they are all gone! I have very fond memories of RG's fleet when times were good. I always felt like I was on a Saturn 5 rocket on take off!
The world is missing love, let's use our flights to spread it!
71Zulu From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 2736 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (3 years 3 months 14 hours ago) and read 17728 times:
Quoting Andaman (Reply 5): KLM and World Airways (?) do.
Yes, World still operates scheduled MD-11 service for SonAir on IAH-LAD.
They will end this agreement in May and then Atlas will take over with SonAir's own 747-400s.
A388 From Netherlands Antilles, joined May 2001, 9067 posts, RR: 13 Reply 11, posted (3 years 3 months 14 hours ago) and read 17595 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 9): Any details about how much longer KLM are planning to keep theirs?
Until 2014 (and maybe extended to 2015) if I'm not mistaken. What will replace the KL MD11 I'm not sure but more 77W's and A332's wouldn't surprise me and maybe even the 787/A350XWB as a combined order for AF/KL. Time will tell....
TurkishWings From Turkey, joined May 2006, 1407 posts, RR: 9 Reply 12, posted (3 years 3 months 14 hours ago) and read 17553 times:
Now taht commercial MD-11's are almost gone, I am glad I had the chance to fly on one of them recently. (KLM between AMS-SFO) To be honest, it was one of my most comfortable long haul flights ever....
PM From India, joined Feb 2005, 6715 posts, RR: 66 Reply 14, posted (3 years 3 months 13 hours ago) and read 17350 times:
My God. I remember my wife's company (SR) ordering and receiving these planes. I remember booking a day trip to Paris to fly on the first one (but it went 'tech' and we ended up on an MD81).
But I do remember much later flying ZRH-LHR on an MD11!
I remember a KLM employee telling 'us' how lucky we were to have the MD11 and looking forward to their deliveries.
I remember photographing an unpainted one landing at Mojave in 1991.
I remember enjoying numerous SR MD11 flights in and out of LAX, HKG, DAR, BKK, Montreal (Y-something!) and lots of other places.
I didn't like the looks of the plane at first and was disappointed that SR had chosen it. Then I flew again and again in Y and C and gradually came to love it. I flew on SR's last day DAR-NBO-ZRH on an MD11 and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Compared to many models, the MD11 had a comparatively short life but it was unique and I'm terribly sorry to see it go.
LTU932 From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 13864 posts, RR: 51 Reply 15, posted (3 years 3 months 13 hours ago) and read 17250 times:
Quoting surfandsnow (Reply 3): I think this move leaves KLM as the sole MD-11 operator (for pax).
There's still WO, which should still operate a few pax MD-11 for its charter services (e.g. for the AMC or perhaps a few holiday operators, and probably until some time ago the Houston Express to LAD).
IDISA From Italy, joined Jun 2004, 259 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (3 years 3 months 12 hours ago) and read 16701 times:
Such a shame to loose one of the few last MD-11operators...
MD-11 in my opinion is one of the most underrated aircraft ever built, I've never really understood the reason why so many airlines decided to drop them off so quickly. The fact that the MD-11 is still flying as a cargo aircraft proves that it still is a nice aircraft.
Also, from a pilot's point of view, it had an extraordinary advanced avionic that only aircraft as the 777 would have, and it was built back in early '90s...
Definitely I'll miss this bird the day KL will decide to not fly them anymore. Luckily I have the chance to see many cargo operators flying it again.
NA From Germany, joined Dec 1999, 9603 posts, RR: 10 Reply 18, posted (3 years 3 months 12 hours ago) and read 16458 times:
Only time I´ve flown on a MD-11 was with LTU in the early 90s and with Thai Airways in 2003. On the last occasion I had the opportunity to directly compare it with the 743 and 744. The 744 being the best of the trio, the MD-11 coming in last from my passenger comfort standpoint.
The days of MD11 passenger service are numbered, still the vast majority of the type is still active as freighters, and likely will for years to come. The 777F has just appeared on the market as the perfect replacement, though it has a hefty pricetag in comparison.
Who is going to take Finnair´s MD-11s? A 1990-built example is at the edge of still having a chance to be converted. How many MD-11s have been scrapped so far? Cant remember reading about a single one.
cchan From New Zealand, joined May 2003, 1701 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (3 years 3 months 12 hours ago) and read 16416 times:
Which routes does KL use the M11 on?
I find rides on the M11 most enjoyable over all other types of jets I have been on. One can feel the power of this bird: the A340 is a shame compared to the M11.
airproxx From France, joined Jun 2008, 553 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (3 years 3 months 12 hours ago) and read 16210 times:
Is it cool for Finnair to move to a whole Airbus fleet?
I know that it will probably cut the pilots training and maintenance costs, among other things..
But I always heard that, as an airline, you gotta keep some sort of "competition" between aircraft manufacturers...
How AY will deal with that now they are Airbus adict?
If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two impostors just the same
NA From Germany, joined Dec 1999, 9603 posts, RR: 10 Reply 23, posted (3 years 3 months 11 hours ago) and read 16129 times:
Quoting airproxx (Reply 21): I know that it will probably cut the pilots training and maintenance costs, among other things..
But I always heard that, as an airline, you gotta keep some sort of "competition" between aircraft manufacturers...
Tell that to big airlines like AA or CO. Finnair is a rather small airline.
Andaman From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (3 years 3 months 11 hours ago) and read 15756 times:
Quoting NA (Reply 18): Who is going to take Finnair´s MD-11s?
Airfleets.net says three of them stored, one to ET, one to World Airways, the last two owned by AY still on sale. It's also possible MD11 will still be seen in AY colors, their press release says "The possibility of continuing to use them in Finnair's cargo traffic is also being assessed."
25 AvioGuy: I remember my MD 11 trips on my frequent DEL-HEL-OSL route. Will miss this bird.
26 brilondon: This has really nothing to do with what type of aircraft your are flying but on the airline and type of service the airline provides.
27 AY-MD11: Well they still have the B757s and E170s and 190s.. The 757s are leaving after a few years but dont know what will come to replace them.
28 jayeshrulz: Once upon a time, this beauty used to come to BOM. A few years,i used to run up to the balcony of my house whenever this beast used to come for landin
29 ClassicLover: Gorgeous aircraft! Flew on it once - with Finnair on a SIN-BKK-HEL routing sitting in 1L Had a great flight, loved the larger passenger windows and re
30 AirlineCritic: These were powerful, rare machines. I will miss them. Even if passenger comfort on their new Airbuses is at a completely different level...
31 m11stephen: The MD-11s aren't even that old. The oldest one is about 20 years old. That really is not that old for an aircraft. There are plenty of 767s, MD-80s,
32 shamrock321: What a shame! The MD-11 is what you first think of when you hear Finnair! The last charter flight to YVR, is this for Finnish olympians? If so what a
33 Andaman: Yes the charter is for Finnish olympians mainly, it seems Mrs President will travel home on OH-LGG with the Finnish team on 01 March. A fitting tribu
34 Viscount724: The only negative about AY's MD-11s was the 10-abreast charter-type seating in most of the Y class cabin. At one time I thnk a couple of their MD-11s
35 A388: Destinations I'm sure about are BON and UIO/GYE. They also used to fly them to SFO, and DXB. YYZ probably stil gets them. To my knowledge KL also use
36 Viscount724: KL uses the MD-11 to SFO, YUL, YVR, but YYZ is a mix of 744s and A330-200s. Currently 10 flights a week AMS-YYZ -- 4 744 all passenger, 3 74M combi,
37 Mortyman: Europe to South American and the Caribbean. I have flown the KLM MD11 3 times ( Anna Pavlova and Annie Romein ) and the American Airlines MD11 one ti
38 thebry: I have fond memories of the MD-11 as well. I got to fly AA MD-11s a few times to Tokyo in Business Class... this included a rare SJC to NRT round trip
39 SSTsomeday: I'm surprised you would say that. My understanding, from the general consensus on this site over the years, is that it under-performed when it was in
41 lat41: Remember that at their intorduction the MD-11s were late being delivered and at first, their range was not quite as promised. I also recall it taking
42 okAY: Sad to see the good old "ykstoista" leave the fleet. Many fond memories of this plane. I have sat many times in the cockpit for take off and landing o
43 FFlyer: Such a shame to loose one of the few last MD-11operators... MD-11 in my opinion is one of the most underrated aircraft ever built, I've never really u
44 AverageUser: I have the uncut version on my HD, and it is dated 10 Jan, 2006, so some time before that. "Capt Wrede gives up the MD-11 with tears in his eys" (sto
45 AverageUser: Capt Wrede now on this YLE news video as well: http://areena.yle.fi/video/771833
46 seabosdca: The airplane was only around briefly before superior products came along. A 777-200ER can do *everything* an MD-11 can do, and then some, at lower co
47 ACDC8: The era of passenger trijets are really going into the history books .... sad sad sad From what I understand, the AY charter to YVR is on the 27th of
48 lexy: Yeah, I agree. Shame to see these gorgeous tri-jets leave the fleet. To answer your question, World Airways, KLM, & that's it that I know of. I t
49 Viscount724: Unless you can afford one of these.
50 Aleksandar: It always makes me sad to see another tri-jet operator retires that plane. DC-10s and L-1011s are already a history, as passenger planes and it seems
51 Flighty: Goodbye to one of the most stylish airliners ever!
52 ACDC8: No kidding ... I'm just glad that YLW still has its regular, albeit not pax, share of 727s. But I'm sure you can agree for those of us who grew up wi
53 jimbobjoe: Did Finnair replace the MD-11s with A330/A340s 1 to 1? If so, that's a pretty substantial cut in total seats available.
54 jayeshrulz: The flight took off.....can believe its the last! On schedule.Amen!
55 Andaman: Their long haul capacity is growing quite a bit, the seven MD11s were/are being replaced by 15 Airbuses: five A340s, eight A333s by the end of this y
56 MEA-707: I don't see Finnair operate 15 widebodies at the same moment. I think a few A-340s might get the boot when the last A333s are there. Still indeed an
57 speedbird9: it was always an aircraft i wanted to fly on sadly it looks like that might not happen.... well atleast acargo airlines like fedex still fly the beaut
58 DC10sRule: I'm happy I booked my MD11 Farewell tour early. I knew those A330s were coming and didn't want to risk missing out on my first and only MD11 ride. OCT
59 Andaman: Actually they have had even bigger plans. In 2007, after expanding fast in Asia, they released their latest long-tearm vision where they would be ope
60 golftango: Tal verg Wow, nice vid! I've only flown on one MD11 on AA back in 1998 from ORD to LHR.
61 Andaman: A couple of ex-AY MD11's in their new colors: Ex OH-LGA, the very first MD-11: Ex OH-LGE:
62 solnabo: True. SK didn´t order MD-11, they wanted B767-200/300....sad indeed! //Mike
63 laca773: I too will miss the MD-11. What a beauty and a difference over the M10 and M13. Such power and grace. I flew on DL's MD-11s twice on ATL-LAX, AA SJC-B
64 AverageUser: Here's a tasteful virtual farewell with the MD-11 in the good old livery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m99pu-uzhLc
65 LVZXV: So OH-LGG permanently wfu by AY on 01-Mar-10, correct? Aloha, ZXV
66 YVRLTN: Still sat on the UPS ramp at YVR today. I believe the departure time is 0100 hrs tonight, so March 2nd.
67 AverageUser: The plane is now en route, with the President Mrs Tarja Halonen is on board as well. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/FIN7054[Edited 2010-03-02 03:
68 Thomsonfly: Memories of a very good flight past, I flew OH-LGB between BKK and SIN in 2002. Loved her ride Mark
69 Andaman: According to Flightforum.fi it's possible OH-LGG will be seen in charter service in the coming months, if there's demand. So call AY now if you want
70 teme82: I must say that I enjoyed the AY021/022 in Dec 2008 it was smooth rides both ways!
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According to their press release Finnair's cargo demand in Asian traffic grew in January by 40 per cent from the previous year.
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