L-1011 TriStar

aircraft

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

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The L-1011 TriStar was a wide-body, three-engine airliner developed by Lockheed to compete in the market for large passenger aircraft. Introduced in 1972, it was technologically advanced for its time, featuring an innovative Rolls-Royce engine and a sophisticated flight control system.1

Despite its advanced design, the TriStar faced intense competition from the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and the Boeing 747. Lockheed sold 250 TriStars, but both Lockheed and McDonnell Douglas incurred significant financial losses on their wide-body programs. The TriStar's production ended in 1984, marking Lockheed's exit from the commercial aircraft manufacturing business.1

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history of flight
Airliners
…with its technologically more advanced L-1011 TriStar. McDonnell Douglas sold 446 DC-10s, while Lockheed sold 250 TriStars, with both companies losing massive amounts of money. McDonnell Douglas belatedly struggled on with the MD-11, an improved DC-10, while continuing the DC-9 as the MD-80 and MD-90 series. When Boeing acquired the…
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…with its technologically more advanced L-1011 TriStar. McDonnell Douglas sold 446 DC-10s, while Lockheed sold 250 TriStars, with both companies losing massive amounts of money. McDonnell Douglas belatedly struggled on with the MD-11, an improved DC-10, while continuing the DC-9 as the MD-80 and MD-90 series. When Boeing acquired the…
Read More