747-8 Intercontinental vs MD-11
The 747-8 Intercontinental leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 747-8 Intercontinental (introduced 2012) beside the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (introduced 1990) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are commercial, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the 747-8 Intercontinental carries more passengers. undefined
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747-8 Intercontinental vs MD-11: the key differences
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 13% more range (747-8 Intercontinental: 7,730 nm; MD-11: 6,840 nm).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 5% more cruise speed (747-8 Intercontinental: 495 kt; MD-11: 473 kt).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 14% more passenger capacity (747-8 Intercontinental: 467 seats; MD-11: 410 seats).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental is the newer design (introduced 2012 versus 1990 for the MD-11), a gap of 22 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The 747-8 Intercontinental is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (987,000 lbs versus 630,500 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
- The two differ in powerplant layout: the 747-8 Intercontinental runs 4 engines against 3 on the MD-11 — a factor in redundancy, maintenance scope and operating cost.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for nonstop ultra-long-haul routes, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the 747-8 Intercontinental seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the 747-8 Intercontinental leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The MD-11 can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
More comparisons
747-8 Intercontinental vs MD-11: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the 747-8 Intercontinental or the MD-11?
The 747-8 Intercontinental has the longer published range — 7,730 nm versus 6,840 nm for the MD-11.
Does the 747-8 Intercontinental or MD-11 seat more passengers?
The 747-8 Intercontinental carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 467 seats, compared with 410 on the MD-11.
Which is faster, the 747-8 Intercontinental or the MD-11?
The 747-8 Intercontinental cruises faster, at 495 kt versus 473 kt for the MD-11.
Which is newer, the 747-8 Intercontinental or the MD-11?
The 747-8 Intercontinental is the newer design, introduced in 2012 versus 1990 for the MD-11.
Is the 747-8 Intercontinental or the MD-11 the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the 747-8 Intercontinental is the larger aircraft — 987,000 lbs versus 630,500 lbs for the MD-11.
Should I buy the 747-8 Intercontinental or the MD-11?
On published specifications the 747-8 Intercontinental leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The MD-11 can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the 747-8 Intercontinental vs MD-11?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.