Are There Any Lockheed L-1011s Still Flying?

The Lockheed L-1011 'TriStar' was one of the defining aircraft of the early widebody era and the third twin-aisle jet to enter service. It followed the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, with 250 units being produced. While the type saw its last scheduled passenger operations in 2008, are there any of these aircraft still active?
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[@johnmc67]

Best airplane I’ve ever flown on. Quiet, spacious, comfortable.

[@gerarddip]

That’s what my mom always says

[@Franklin-pc3xd]

Agreed

[@melrose9252]

They were nice.

[@williamdixon1992]

The "whisper jet!"

[@Embargoman]

Bring it back from the dead, it will give the 737 MAX the last dance!

[@scpatl4now]

The L 1011 was my favorite aircraft to fly. It's cabin was spacious, and it was also one of the few planes at the time that could land in bad conditions when other aircraft were unable to do so. I flew one into PBI during Hurricane Gordon and it was the only aircraft type that the tower let land

[@johniii8147]

That landing would never be done today. Safety regulations have greatly improved

[@Oliv_garden]

Yeah they land great in bad weather, except for August 2, 1985.

[@average_war_criminal]

fascinating experience,wish these marvels of engineering were still around for the next generations to fly in

[@markpimlott2879]

'What was then the very first high-tech 'auto land' system! 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 🍁🇺🇸 🌎 🐺 🌎 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦

[@davidkavanagh189]

@@markpimlott2879 I don't think it was the first. I'm fairly sure the Trident had that first in service.

[@HEDGE1011]

The best aircraft I’ve ever flown in my 33 year airline career. You did it right, Lockheed! Unlatched Forever!

[@pasu129]

Cathay Pacific’s L-1011 were considered ahead of every other regional carrier at the time! She’s a beauty!

[@lyon4uk]

I agree. It was the best option available for regional flights across the Far East

[@johnvella5834]

I flew the Tristar for 9 years from 1974 for BA. it was the best airliner I flew in 30 years. It was the Queen of the skies.

[@richardyoung7581]

I’ve flown on all three wide bodies types back in those days. The L-1011 was my favorite.

[@alooga555]

The L-1011 featured five lavatories in the back of the main cabin right next to each other, so there usually was one always available for use when you had to go.

[@ernieszelepcsenyi5710]

Came to say this. I remember the big area in the back by the lavs.

[@KurtVW]

FACT!

[@brucekivi]

That’s one feature I remember too. Very considerate of the passengers.

[@AusNetFan13]

I’ve flown on the L1011 lots of times. Even transatlantic flights. Has that distinctive sound for the engines.

[@jeffputman3504]

Across the ocean on three engines? Normally they require four!

[@QatarVegan]

@@jeffputman3504I think two is the norm now…unless you’re on the magnificent A380

[@davidkavanagh189]

@@jeffputman3504 I'm open to correction but I'm fairly sure the old restrictions were on twin engine aircraft. Three engines was still fine.

[@yeetoburrito]

​@@QatarVeganor the 747, or the A340

[@ryanlestrange4ever737]

ETOPS regulations in the 50s and 60s dictated that only quad jet could fly transatlantic, then the 70s and 80s saw the regulations change to trijet, then finally into the 90s to day it became twin-jet with newer aircraft.@@jeffputman3504

[@dlanniltd]

The TriStar was the most comfortable flying I ever enjoyed. Even coach was great. Sure do miss that kind of service and luxury.

[@codycuerrier]

Back when passenger experience trumped airline profits

[@wilsonfutrell1833]

I flew on Delta TriStars between ATL and MCO, ATL and BOS, and ATL and LAX. I loved those planes.

[@engrpas]

Great airplane! I've flown on L-1011's many times on Air Canada, Delta and Eastern, and once on TWA from Tel Aviv to New York, making one stop at Paris.

[@brianaustin208]

Loved flying on L1011's back in the '80's so much nicer than the DC-10 very spacious and plenty of bathrooms!

[@DKTek07]

I refueled many of them. I miss the very distinctive sound of the turbines starting. No other aircraft howls quite like the TriStar. Everyone in and around the airport knows when one starts, it’s a beautiful sound.

[@markymarknj]

Where did you refuel them? I refueled them at STL back in the early 90s...

[@DKTek07]

Worked for ASII in Orlando, Fl in the 80’s. Although I think today it’s ASIG. Refueled everything from home built ultralights to the Concord.

[@bmc9504]

Rolls Royce :)

[@aidanpysher2764]

Lockheeds just have the most perfect howls. The F-22's APU and the throttle-up in air have a really distinct and high-pitch howl. At night in the cold, it sounds just like a wolf.

[@tr1715]

I've flown the L1011 Tristar with Gulf Air, Golden Falcon livery, in the 80's. Still one of my fav airplanes to fly.

[@martinrimmer2826]

Then at some stage you probably flew me from LHR to AUH! Thank you.

[@RobEJC]

Loved the many flights I had on the L-1011 - roomy and comfortable.

[@edwardstarkman1250]

Great aircraft. First widebody I was ever on with TWA. I also flew them with Delta and Eastern.

[@doublel7337]

I wish Lockheed would build more. I flew back from Puerto Rico on a L-1011 back in 1977. Just a remarkable aircraft. A aircraft engineer for Eastern Airlines sat next to me and he explained everything about the plane. Love it !

[@brianjohnson9473]

I flew on it, and worked on it in the 80s and loved it I miss hearing those RB11 RR engines start up still to this day one the best belt flying machines.

[@bumpedhishead636]

I loved flying on the L1011. Much more comfortable & quieter than the DC-10. The autoland system of the L1011 was phenomenal, and the same concept was later used on (among others) the F-117.

[@prsl2472]

Comfortable, spacious even in coach. So quiet and stable that I called it the flying auditorium.

[@Octopossible]

My Dad was on the drafting team at Rolls Royce for the engines in the Tristar. He always considered this plane one of his babies, hahah. He passed away in 2008.

[@Octopossible]

I guess that makes the Tristar my sister. 🤔😜🤣

[@andyjames6664]

I flew from Manchester to Vancouver on one when it was operated by Air Canada back in the 90's. It was great and I remember thinking how big it was. Happy memories.

[@Pob76]

Me too😊

[@ryanwiler4808]

This plane is based out of the Mojave air & space port. It goes to and from there all the time. It is not stored.

[@caseycrookham3647]

Could have the Stargazer operated out of Bakersfield in the late 90's?

[@thatloudCG5]

Then this confirms my sighting of it at O'Hare a month ago. It was parked on the hardstand. I was aboard a UA Airbus 319 about to connect to SFO on a 787-8.

[@borgza]

i flew in the triStar back in the 90's the comfort , space was simply amazing when compared with today's wide body aircrafts for the exception of the A380

[@user-HighIntheSky724]

I was fortunate enough to fly on a Delta L-1011-200 from Bradenton/Sarasota to O'Hare Intl. in 1976. It was being billed as the "Whisper Jet" due to its quite quiet Rolls Royce turbofan engines. It was a great flight and I always wanted to fly on one again, though sadly I didn't get the chance.

[@SKYSTAR767]

Loved working on it

[@trim406]

Actually just saw and serviced the Stargazer L-1011 with Northrop Grumman not too long ago when it landed in PHX. If I remember correctly that would've been the or one of the last flights.

[@derbagger22]

Fantastic video! This was my favorite plane growing up. Just loved the name L-1011. Sounds so hi-tech and cool. I absolutely love the A380, but this still may be my favorite jet of all time. Best looking, no doubt.

[@usmale49]

Yes, they were real beauties indeed! Wish they still operated commercially!!

[@jessegreenwood1956]

I flew them numerous times with Delta out of Atlanta and Dallas in the 1990's. One of my favorite planes. Very nice! Miss these planes!

[@johntracy72]

I flew on an L-1011 once. It was about 45 years ago. Smooth ride. The airplanes in The Langoliers and Lost were both L-1011's.

[@gsmdo8836]

Flew in RAF Tristars from RAF Brize Norton, via Wideawake (Ascension Island) to Mount Pleasant Airport (East Falkland) and return for each of my (three) tours of duty in the South Atlantic...

[@paulsengupta971]

Did they have backwards facing seats?

[@gsmdo8836]

@@paulsengupta971 No, but I've flown in VC10s to Cyprus that did...

[@BIGDAVE5352]

I loved the Tri-Star. I flew them multiple times with Delta between MCO & LAX and ATL & LAX throughout the 1980’s and 90’s. I loved the sound of those RB-211s on takeoff roll.

[@Kokopilau77]

The L-1011's were my favorite aircraft. They were comfortable and grateful

[@Paul-bv4ge]

Not just flown in it, but flown it. Lovely.

[@alanparks7919]

I loved every flight I took on L1011’s. So quiet and comfortable, especially in rough weather. Transcontinental flights seemed even relaxing. I miss it.

[@alexclement7221]

I flew in one once. Much nicer than the DC-10 was. Pilots loved them...

[@paulrom446]

Loved them! Flew them in DL and EA Liveries! Awesome jets! Some of the most advanced GSR for it's time!

[@trob0914]

Loved flying on the L-1011!

[@dblanke84]

I used to work on the 1011 at the Palmdale plant. I’ve also flown on the 1011 as a customer. My job was the interior trim, specifically the door trim on the passenger doors. They had a unique feature with a flap up on the overhead that allowed the door to open inward and upward. My job was to make sure that the timing and the fit on the interior trim was perfect. I was also on a flight crew where we did shakedown flights before the planes were delivered to the customer. I was also on the inaugural flight of TWA 1011 to Kansas City. Incredible airplane I am still sad to see it gone

[@teekay_1]

These were *wonderful* to fly on. One of my favorite all-time aircraft. They were great on takeoff and landings, very quiet inside, and so spacious that when I'd take the red-eye, the stewardess would often allow me to sleep in the middle row of seats when the plane wasn't crowded.

[@TheKiman2]

Flew Delta L1011 multiple times for work back in the year 2000. I loved it. You can hear the tristar engine up top spinning up and the cabin was so spacious with the economy edge seats only having 2 seats (like the 767!) which I also loved. My favorite jet!

[@ukoldgit]

Great Aircraft, I have towed most of the Gulf Air owned ones when I worked for the Emir's flight in Doha and travelled on them extensively when working for Gulf Helicopters, some very pleasant interesting experiances.

[@thexchox1554]

Greatest Airliner of all time. Hands down. Bar none.

[@User72637]

I flew on the Delta Tristars cross country. Quiet, comfortable plane. Had several lavs in the very rear, side-by-side.

[@theharper1]

Do you know when Delta retired the L1011? I'm trying to figure out whether I flew on one in 1994.

[@randynelson2265]

I did overhaul on L1011's for Delta Air Lines. I really enjoyed working on these aircraft.

[@MrKeith74lee]

I flew on Dragonair L1011 from Kai Tak to Hong Qiao and return. I forgot the exact year but it could have been 1994. Was lucky enough to be seated at the rear. OMG the engine noise from the aft was god sent!

[@crw-bm7mm]

Best plane i have ever flown on, with the exception of the Beaver. Flew on them from Vancouver to Toronto and back with Air Canada many times in the 80's.

[@jurgencoucke]

I loved this airplane, one of the best ever made, far superior to the DC10

[@duartesimoes508]

Agree.

[@LostsTVandRadio]

I always enjoyed these planes - whether on the short London-Paris route or for transatlantic London to Canada routes. One thing that used to get passengers animated was when the cabin air system was spooled up. It created lots of mist that was easily mistaken for smoke!

[@paulsengupta971]

That still happens on aircraft today if the cabin is humid enough.

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

Fond memories of Air Canada ship 508 (shown in this video) and her classic Rolls-Royce RB211 engines!

[@CARLOSSAA-y6f]

I sure did, only Delta L-1011s in the 70,s Lovely experience, these jets were called "Whisper liners."

[@robinvanags912]

.....by Eastern.

[@ryanlestrange4ever737]

the whisper liners were eastern airlines

[@CARLOSSAA-y6f]

I stand corrected!

[@paulazemeckis7835]

Loved loved loved flying on it back in the 80's. I traveled for work and I still miss it. The DC-10 was ok but didn't compare.

[@richardcampbell9225]

Having flown over 3 million miles the L1011 is hands down my favorite followed by the Concorde.

[@sandersson2813]

If you'd actually flown Concorde, you'd know how to spell it.

[@richardcampbell9225]

Spell check is sometimes not helpful.@@sandersson2813

[@dewiz9596]

I loved that plane! I think I flew on that Air Canada unit from Toronto to Atlanta about 1980

[@biscuitplayzyt8900]

Mery Christmas everyone!

[@peternorton2445]

Loved this aircraft and in the late 1990's flew one to Hawaii - lots of room and great bathroom availability.

[@MichaelBenson-lj3mq]

Few my wife and 3 children from Toronto to LAX and back in 1980 on an Air Canada L-1011. It was the first time any of us had been on an airplane. Flying in1980 was a much better experience than it is in 2024.

[@TedJohnson-z9h]

I flew on the L-1011 contract airline during several deployments with the Air Force into or out of SW Asia. If I was lucky and the plane wasn't too full, I could pull the arm rest up on 3 seats in the center section and go to sleep.

[@harrybrown7784]

Yes from Montreal to Edmonton first time on a plane the power of the take off was absolutely awesome!

[@harrisonzoercher9609]

The L-1011 is my favorite plane of all time. Quiet, spacious, comfortable, unparalleled smooth ride, and just beautiful inside and out. One of the finest, safest commercial airliners ever built. Wish they were still in service!

[@UncleKennysPlace]

The registration of _N140SC_ is good until 04/30/2028. That doesn't mean it will fly again, but only that Orbital Sciences didn't de-register it.

[@alanpage4641]

I flew Eastern Airlines Tristar from JFK. to Miami and from Orlando to JFK. in October 1979.Fabulous airplane.

[@sebastiengroulx1807]

If I remember right, I flew on Air-Canada and Air-Transat... I love this plane!!!

[@desertmodern7638]

The first widebody I ever flew, several times on Delta from Phoenix to San Diego. My favourite aircraft for many years.

[@rustynail6819]

It was the most comfortable plane I ever flew on. So much room and BIG comfortable seats. Wonderful plane.

[@s.kirtivasen15699]

Merry Christmas

[@robertalbertson889]

I'm 63 years old and i only had the opportunity to fly on the L1011 once! That was from Puerto Rico to Los Angeles nonstop. This was way back in 1985 with Delta Airlines, and i was seated in the rear of the plene in the then, "smoking section" and all i can remember is difficultly breathing from the dense cigarette smoke and the incredibly loud engine noise from being near the mid engine on top of the plane! Probably one of the most uncomfortable long flights in my lifetime ever HAHAHAHA 😆 however with that said, I've always loved the design and look of the Tri-Star L1011 and i wish more of them were still in the sky!

[@hughofIreland]

I loved flying the L-1011 too. I flew on TWA and later Delta.

[@petercardello9078]

I loved flying on the L-1011 out of Atlanta, Ga. Great aircraft.

[@shrimpflea]

I flew on the L-1011 with TWA, Delta and Eastern Airlines. Loved the Tristar.

[@williamgunn1076]

Loved flying the L-1011.

[@chrisreed3435]

Flew on them many times with DAL, the roar/howl of the Royals Royce engines are so amazing.

[@aurktman1106]

Flew on N741DA back in June 1995 from LAX to Honolulu. Absolutely loved the flight!

[@danwhitens]

I wholeheartedly agree with others here--this was my favourite plane of them all. I remember one flight from PHL to MCO circa 1982 on Eastern Airlines--just prior to deregulation, so it was an obligatory, under-booked route and there were only about two dozen passengers on that flight. I felt like a millionaire! Such a quiet, roomy, comfortable plane. It was wonderful to be on those planes.

[@flypawels]

Flew on L-1011 in 2000 on Air Transat from Toronto to Cuba.

[@vstol501]

Loved that plane

[@JDFloyd]

I flew on Delta TriStars often on "bus route" business flights.

[@smcdonald9991]

I flew on Air Canada Tri-stars several times, possibly this one.

[@FABAGENT]

Oh yes. Flown on the L-1011 with TW, EA and DL. LUV'd it!

[@bradwender3576]

Many years ago, I believe I flew in the L-1011 out of Atlanta on Delta and Eastern flights

[@harryallenRHA110]

Very comfortable aircraft. I flew regularly Belfast to London Heathrow during the period of the ‘Troubles’ (1970’s). With BA. ❤

[@anandnagin3408]

I remember flying the L1011 between YVR and LHR on AC. One of the quietest and smoothest aircraft I had ever flown in. The A350-900 feels very similar to the L1011.

[@deanpiggott6074]

Loved flying the Tristar back in the early 1980’s with British Airways. Nothing comes close these days to these beautiful machines

[@quantummotion]

Ive never flown on that aircraft, but Ive seen that exact aircraft many times over the years land and take off from Toronto from the McDonnell Douglas parking lot next to Pearson, munching on a Pepi's burger, and listening in on the airband of my dad's old Deltek radio.

[@rc_farmer4866]

Loved flying on the Tri-Star.

[@Tpr_1808]

The tristar was well ahead of it's time. Current widebody twinjets don't match the internal width

[@Kalvinjj]

The 777 is slightly wider internally tho

[@Tpr_1808]

@Kalvinjj Well you feel it less since most airlines use 10 abreast anyways now

[@jimmcdiarmid7308]

I flew Air Canada YVR- HNL return around 1983. Nice flights.

[@Mauscmkwk]

Need to be preserved

[@Mala-Ipsa-Nova]

Worked on em back at Marana decades ago. Was a neat plane, I remember they had a couple elevators to the galleries in between the wings between the forward and aft cargo pits.

[@Luddite-vd2ts]

Interesting. So, how is it maintained? Who has the skills to work on it and where are parts for the airframe and engines acquired from after circa 50 years?

[@holgernarrog962]

Probably they pick the spare parts from the bone yards. But anyhow it might become more and more challenging.

[@GreatWhiteShark75]

My first and ONLY love is Eastern Airlines L-1011 from Chicago to Puerto Rico. Fantastic service. Love that bird.

[@Primus54]

Delta used to fly these non-stop from Cincinnati to London’s Gatwick leaving around 8:30 PM. I took it twice in coach and had plenty of room to recline and sleep to be ready to go at 6:00 AM London time upon arrival. Quiet and smooth.

[@leegardner4692]

Worked for supplier of primary & secondary flight controls for the L1011 in '70-'71. National Waterlift, Kalamazoo, MI.

[@jeffreygreene1042]

Most amazing aircraft I've ever been on. Nothing else was even close

[@wmtarrant573]

I flew on many L-1011s over the years and enjoyed the smooth ride.

[@MattMcIrvin]

I don't think I ever flew on the L-1011 but I often saw them coming in to land at Dulles Airport when I lived near there. I learned to distinguish them from DC-10s by the configuration of the tail engine. I'd heard of Orbital's Pegasus launcher but it's remarkable that it's become the last L-1011 in service.

[@bobmacewicz4193]

Flew on the L1011 from Bradley (BDL) to Bermuda (BDA) on Delta in 1979, smoothest flight I was ever on.

[@jeromef.5489]

Flew BWIA L10’s back in the day

[@jampresident9197]

Flew on that exact aircraft in 1976. wonderful flight, great aircraft.

[@JDBotanaJr]

I flew on L-1011 aircraft multiple times in the '70's and '80's, mostly in TWA. They were very nice.

[@MM-vv8mt]

I flew on a L-1011 in 1979 from SeaTac to Honolulu. Gorgous and comfortable aircraft.