Bangladesh Biman Airlines operates the world's last passenger McDonnell Douglas DC-10 -- which the airline says will be making its final scheduled flight on December 7 on an otherwise routine flight. Shown here: A Bangladesh Airlines DC-10.
Courtesy Adrian Pingstone/Wikicommons
Debuted in 1971 —
The McDonnell Douglas jetliner logged its maiden voyage for passengers on August 5, 1971, on an American Airlines round trip between Los Angeles and Chicago. It became a staple of several major airlines. McDonnell Douglas produced its 446th (and last) DC-10 in 1989 for Nigeria Airways.
Courtesy Los688/Wikicommons
Checkered legacy —
The DC-10 would be hampered by accidents, including a horrific American Airlines crash at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in 1979 resulting from a separated engine ripping through a wing shortly after takeoff. Wired magazine called the DC-10 the fifth worst "stupid engineering mistake" in history.
Courtesy K's/Wikicommons
Not completely gone from the skies —
The DC-10 is still commonly used by cargo companies, such as FedEx and Purolator.
Courtesy Kevin McCoy/Wikicommons
Three engines —
When it debuted, the DC-10 represented a new category of airplane -- the three-engine, dual-aisle wide-body.
Courtesy Boeing
High cost —
A significant factor behind the DC-10 retirement wave relates to fuel efficiency and cost. Newer aircraft use less fuel, making DC-10s a more expensive airliner to operate.
Courtesy Boeing
Filling seats —
The DC-10 rolled out in Long Beach, California. Its wide cabin gave it a passenger capacity up to 380, depending upon seating configuration.
Courtesy Boeing
Big ol' jet airliner —
In 2007, Northwest Airlines became the last major carrier to retire the DC-10 from passenger service in the United States.
