UPS no longer operates its McDonnell Douglas MD-11s: it permanently grounded and retired the fleet in the fourth quarter of 2025. Before that decision, the company still listed 27 of the aging cargo aircraft in its September 2025 fleet snapshot. UPS’s filings document the safety decision and its financial and capacity effects, but do not give a full explanation of why it had retained the MD-11s.
What happened to UPS’s MD-11 fleet?
The story changed quickly in late 2025. On September 30, UPS listed 27 MD-11 aircraft and said none had yet been retired from operational use; it anticipated retiring one during 2025. On November 7, the company announced a temporary grounding. Its 2025 Form 10-K later reported that UPS permanently grounded and retired the fleet during the fourth quarter.
The year-end aircraft table still lists 26 MD-11s, but a footnote clarifies that they had been permanently grounded and retired. That distinction matters: an aircraft can remain on a fleet inventory table after it has stopped flying. UPS said it did not expect the retirement to have a material impact on its business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Why did UPS ground the aircraft?
UPS said its November 7 decision followed a recommendation from the aircraft manufacturer and was made “Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety.” The company described the MD-11s as approximately 9% of UPS Airlines’ fleet at the time. Its statement attributed the decision to UPS as an organization, not to a named individual. UPS’s November 7, 2025 statement
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The available company disclosures establish the stated reason for the grounding, but do not detail the underlying technical concern or provide a broader account of the manufacturer’s recommendation. It would go beyond those disclosures to assign a more specific cause.
Why had UPS kept the MD-11s before the grounding?
The September 2025 fleet snapshot shows that the aircraft were still part of UPS’s operational fleet shortly before the grounding. But the reviewed UPS filings do not set out a comprehensive business case for retaining them. They do not establish that UPS kept the MD-11s for a particular payload, range, route, fuel-cost, or acquisition-cost advantage.
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That means the careful answer to the title’s original question is limited: UPS had planned to retire one MD-11 in 2025, while its September snapshot still counted 27 in operational use. The available disclosures do not explain the broader reasons for its earlier retention decision. The later grounding was explicitly tied to safety and the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What did the retirement cost, and how did UPS address capacity?
UPS recorded a $182 million charge related to the MD-11 retirement in the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily for aircraft and parts inventory. Within that charge, $119 million was an impairment of property, plant, and equipment. These are reported accounting costs associated with retirement, not an estimate of the fleet’s total lifetime cost. UPS 2025 Form 10-K and filings
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In its first-quarter 2026 filing, UPS said the permanent grounding and retirement increased third-party lease expense as it addressed capacity constraints. UPS also reported taking delivery of three Boeing 767-300 aircraft during the quarter and beginning to reduce the associated third-party expense. The filing does not identify those deliveries as a one-for-one replacement for the MD-11s, so they should be understood as part of its capacity response rather than a direct aircraft-for-aircraft substitution. UPS Q1 2026 Form 10-Q
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- Dimensions and Material: Precisely crafted 1/130 large scale airplane model for MD-11 model, Dimensions 18.70×15.79×5.31 inch / 47.50×40.10×13.50 cm. Made from high-quality resin, approximately 860g weight and excellent durability. Features hollowed-out transparent windows, realistic engine nacelles and wing for a lifelike McDonnell Douglas 11 airplane model experience.
- Painted Finish: No Decals, all markings, lines, and logos are spray-painted rather than stickers, replicating the authentic airliners livery. The smooth, glossy surface exudes elegance. Regardless of the airliners paint scheme you choose, you can appreciate the exquisite details of this airplane model kit for adult, making it an ideal choice aviation collectors.
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Key dates and figures
| Date or period | What UPS reported |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 27 MD-11s listed; none yet retired from operational use, with one retirement anticipated during 2025. Source: UPS fleet table. |
| November 7, 2025 | Temporary grounding announced on safety grounds following a manufacturer recommendation; MD-11s represented approximately 9% of UPS Airlines’ fleet. Source: UPS statement. |
| Fourth quarter 2025 | Fleet permanently grounded and retired; $182 million charge, including $119 million in property, plant, and equipment impairment. Source: UPS 2025 Form 10-K. |
| First quarter 2026 | UPS reported higher third-party lease expense as it addressed capacity constraints and delivery of three Boeing 767-300 aircraft. Source: UPS Q1 2026 Form 10-Q. |
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