103-581: Aerovías de México, S.A. de C.V. ( lit. ' Airways of Mexico, Public Limited ' ) operating as Aeroméxico ( pronounced [aeɾoˈmexiko] ; styled as A ERO M EXICO ), is the flag carrier of Mexico , based in Mexico City . It operates scheduled services to more than 90 destinations in Mexico; North, South and Central America; the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Its main base and hub
206-424: A deadheading DC-10 flight instructor, performed a partially controlled emergency landing by constantly adjusting the thrust of the remaining two engines; 185 people on board survived, but 111 others died, and the aircraft was destroyed. The DC-10 was designed without backup flight controls because it was considered extremely improbable that all hydraulic systems would fail. However, due to their close proximity under
309-410: A national airline or a national carrier , although this can have different legal meanings in some countries. Today, it is any international airline with a strong connection to its home country or that represents its home country internationally, regardless of whether it is government-owned. Flag carriers may also be known as such due to laws requiring aircraft or ships to display the state flag of
412-590: A virtual assistant on Facebook Messenger . During the Facebook F8 conference in April 2017, the airline earned praise from Facebook for being among the first companies worldwide to launch the Chat Extension function, allowing users to pull up Aerobot during a group chat. It also launched the ability to ask any question, using artificial intelligence and natural language processing techniques to match
515-463: A checked luggage allowance, nor did it allow for seat assignments, upgrades, or changes. The COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected the global aviation industry, including Aeromexico. Aeromexico's stock dropped during first half of 2020 and rumors about bankruptcy. On June 30, Aeroméxico voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States. However, day-to-day operations continued as
618-616: A government plan, Mexican domestic airlines were nationalized into an integrated air transport system under the control of Aeronaves de México. The system included eight smaller carriers, although these were later disbanded. During the early 1970s, the remaining Douglas DC-6 and Bristol Britannia aircraft were retired. A new color scheme (orange and black) was introduced and the airline changed its name from "Aeronaves de México" to its current, shortened version of Aeroméxico in February 1972. One of Aeronaves de Mexico's subsidiaries during that era
721-408: A maximum payload range of 4,604 miles (4,001 nmi; 7,409 km). The series 40 had a typical load range of 5,750 miles (5,000 nmi; 9,250 km) and a maximum payload range of 4,030 miles (3,500 nmi; 6,490 km). The DC-10 had two engine options and introduced longer-range variants a few years after entering service; these allowed it to distinguish itself from its main competitor,
824-475: A pair of Douglas DC-8s . The DC-8s were used on routes within Mexico and to New York City. In 1963, Aeronaves de México (Aeroméxico) took over Aerovias Guest airlines and they were merged under the name Aeronaves de México. Later in the 1960s, more DC-8s were added and service to Europe was resumed, operated by two de Havilland Comet 4C jet aircraft dry-leased by Aerovías Guest prior to the merger. The 1970s brought dramatic changes for Aeroméxico. In 1970, under
927-452: A range of 3,800 miles (3,300 nmi; 6,100 km) with a typical passenger load and a range of 2,710 miles (2,350 nmi; 4,360 km) with maximum payload. Various models of the DC-10 promptly followed, such as the series 15, which had a typical load range of 4,350 miles (3,780 nmi; 7,000 km). The series 20 was powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, whereas
1030-522: A rear center landing gear . It was to use Pratt & Whitney JT9D -15 turbofan engines, each producing 45,500 lbf (202 kN) of thrust, with a maximum takeoff weight of 530,000 pounds (240 t). However, engine improvements led to increased thrust and increased takeoff weight. Northwest Orient Airlines, one of the launch customers for this longer-range DC-10 requested the name change to DC-10-40. A proposed version with Rolls-Royce RB211 -524 engines for British Airways. The order never came and
1133-400: A reliable aircraft with a low overall accident rate as of 1998. The DC-10's initially poor safety record has continuously improved as design flaws were rectified and fleet hours increased. The DC-10's lifetime safety record is comparable to similar second-generation passenger jets as of 2008. The DC-10 has cargo doors that open outward; this allows the cargo area to be completely filled, as
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#17327839304251236-415: A seating configuration that exacerbated the effects of decompression, and as the cabin floor collapsed into the cargo bay, control cables were severed and the aircraft became uncontrollable. Investigators found that the DC-10's relief vents were not large enough to equalize the pressure between the passenger and cargo compartments during explosive decompression. Following this crash, a special subcommittee of
1339-463: A solely McDonnell Douglas product, but none proceeded beyond design studies. The KC-10 Extender is a military version of the DC-10-30CF for aerial refueling . The aircraft was ordered by the U.S. Air Force and delivered from 1981 to 1988. A total of 60 were built. These aircraft are powered exclusively by General Electric CF6 turbofan engines. The KDC-10 was an aerial refueling tanker for
1442-794: A stop in Monterrey only on the outbound flight) on 1 July 2017. In the first year of the Delta–Aeromexico joint venture (June 2017–June 2018) the companies worked to enhance connectivity between Mexico and the U.S., and launched new Aeroméxico or Delta flights, or additional frequencies, on Los Angeles–Cabo San Lucas, New York JFK–Cancun, Detroit–León, Atlanta–Mérida, Seattle–Mexico City, Atlanta–Querétaro, Atlanta–León, Portland–Mexico City, Los Angeles–Leon, Atlanta–Guadalajara, and Guadalajara–Salt Lake City. In 2023 Aeroméxico resumed flights to Rome and in June 2024 to Barcelona. Aeroméxico codeshares with
1545-528: A surge in demand for widebody airliners. However, the Boeing 747-400 , MD-11, Airbus A330 / A340 , and soon-to-be-built Boeing 777 were all behind schedule and couldn't fully meet the demand for widebody airliners. Production of first-generation widebodies like the Boeing 747-100 / 200 / 300 , L-1011, and DC-10 had already stopped, so the value of used DC-10-30s almost doubled, rising from less than $ 20 million to almost $ 40 million. The McDonnell Douglas DC-10
1648-524: A third one at the base of the vertical stabilizer . The twin-aisle layout has a typical seating for 270 in two classes. The initial DC-10-10 had a 3,500- nautical-mile [nmi] (6,500 km; 4,000 mi) range for transcontinental flights . The DC-10-15 had more powerful engines for hot and high airports. The DC-10-30 and –40 models (with a third main landing gear leg to support higher weights) each had intercontinental ranges of up to 5,200 nmi (9,600 km; 6,000 mi). The KC-10 Extender (based on
1751-473: A video of indigenous family being removed from a flight was shared on social media. The father of the family claimed he was removed "because of his appearance", though that cannot be heard in the video. Aeroméxico did not comment on the incident In September 2016, Aeromexico became the first airline in the Americas to launch a chatbot , that enables customers to search, track and book flights interacting with
1854-422: A widebody aircraft smaller than the Boeing 747 yet capable of flying similar long-range routes from airports with shorter runways; this specification would be highly influential in the design of what would become the DC-10. It would become McDonnell Douglas's first commercial airliner after the merger between McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967. An early DC-10 design proposal
1957-429: Is a transport company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given sovereign state , enjoys preferential rights or privileges accorded by the government for international operations. Historically, the term was used to refer to airlines owned by the government of their home country and associated with the national identity of that country. Such an airline may also be known as
2060-442: Is a trijet , being powered by three turbofan engines. Two of these engines are mounted on pylons that attach to the bottom of the wings, while the third engine is encased in a protective banjo-shaped structure that is mounted on the top of the rear fuselage. In comparison to the first generation of jetliners, these engines generated less noise and were usually smoke-free. The engines are equipped with thrust reversers which reduce
2163-453: Is a low-wing wide-body aircraft . It is sized to conduct medium to long-range flights, offering similar endurance to the larger Boeing 747 yet being able to use shorter runways and thus access airports that it could not. Dependent upon configuration, the main cabin can accommodate between 250 and 380 passengers across its main deck. The fuselage is split into two levels, the upper deck is the only one where passenger seating would be present as
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#17327839304252266-587: Is an upgrade to add a glass cockpit to the DC-10 with the re-designation to MD-10 . The upgrade included an Advanced Common Flightdeck similar to what was used on the MD-11 and was launched in September 1996. However, the actual avionics are shared with the Boeing 717 , using the Honeywell VIA liquid-crystal-displays. The program was continued by Boeing after its merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, and
2369-425: Is capable of performing all-weather operations, a function that many preceding jetliners had been incapable of. From the onset, it could perform takeoffs and landings completely under autopilot . Cassette tapes were used to load preprogrammed flight plans into the flight computer. As originally built, the cockpit was operated by a flight crew of three; numerous DC-10s have received a retrofitted glass cockpit and
2472-661: Is located in Mexico City , with secondary hubs in Guadalajara and Monterrey . The headquarters is in the Torre MAPFRE on Paseo de la Reforma . Grupo Aeroméxico includes Aeroméxico and Aeroméxico Connect (regional subsidiary). The group currently holds the No. 2 place in domestic market share behind Volaris , with 24.2%; and No. 1 place in international market share with 15.8%, in the 12 months ending March 2020, becoming Mexico's largest international airline group. Aeroméxico
2575-536: Is named after and painted in a unique commemorating Quetzalcoatl , a major figure in Aztec culture of pre-Hispanic Mexico, as the result of a "Design in the Air" competition hosted by the airline inviting students at select universities in Mexico to submit a potential design to be painted on the airframe. In February 2018, Aeromexico introduced a new branded fares structure, which included a new Basic fare that did not contain
2678-520: Is one of the four founding members of the SkyTeam airline alliance, along with Air France , Delta Air Lines and Korean Air . Aeroméxico works closely with the U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines, which owns part of Aeroméxico and in 2015 announced its intention to acquire up to 49% of the latter's shares. On 8 May 2017, a joint commercial agreement (JCA), came into effect, whereby the airlines share information, costs, and revenues on all their flights between
2781-464: The 11 September 2001 attacks occurred and nothing materialized since the two main carriers, Mexicana and Aeroméxico, were losing large amounts of money. Between 2000 and 2005, Aeroméxico had an average fleet of 60 aircraft in mainline operation, plus 20 in Aerolitoral , as well as five CEOs during this time. On 22 June 2000, the airline, along with Air France , Delta , and Korean Air , founded
2884-458: The Bermuda I and Bermuda II agreements specify rights awardable only to locally registered airlines, forcing some governments to jump-start airlines to avoid being disadvantaged in the face of foreign competition. Some countries also establish flag carriers such as Israel 's El Al or Lebanon 's Middle East Airlines for nationalist reasons or to aid the country's economy, particularly in
2987-562: The European Union with the signing of the Open Skies agreement. One of the features of such agreements is the right of a country to designate multiple airlines to serve international routes with the result that there is no single "flag carrier". The chart below lists airlines considered to be a "flag carrier", based on current or former state ownership or other verifiable designation as a national airline. Minority (20.05%) in
3090-543: The Lufthansa Group acquired in 2020 was sold in 2022. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is an American trijet wide-body aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas . The DC-10 was intended to succeed the DC-8 for long- range flights. It first flew on August 29, 1970; it was introduced on August 5, 1971, by American Airlines . The trijet has two turbofans on underwing pylons and
3193-526: The MD-10 with a glass cockpit that eliminated the need for a flight engineer . In February 2014, the DC-10 made its last commercial passenger flight. Cargo airlines continued to operate a small number as freighters . The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital is a DC-10 adapted for eye surgery . A few DC-10s have been converted for aerial firefighting use. Some DC-10s are on display, while other retired aircraft are in storage . Following an unsuccessful proposal for
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3296-534: The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (an elongated version of the DC-9), received its first two in late 1981. Between 1980 and 1981, eight more DC-9-32 aircraft were added. On 31 August 1986, the company suffered its only fatal accident outside Mexico when Aeroméxico Flight 498 , a Douglas DC-9, approaching Los Angeles International Airport was struck by a light aircraft . Both aircraft then fell to earth in
3399-529: The Peruvian government . In 1993, Aeroméxico Group took over Mexicana , the second-largest airline in the Mexican market under the same management. There was a great dispute in June 1993 with the pilot union regarding the transfer of flights to regional subsidiary Aeromonterrey, which had non-union pilots. Between 1994 and 1995, the six DC-10 aircraft in the fleet were finally retired. Their last revenue flight
3502-541: The Royal Netherlands Air Force . These were converted from civil airliners (DC-10-30CF) to a similar standard as the KC-10. Also, commercial refueling companies Omega Aerial Refueling Services and Global Airtanker Service operate three KDC-10 tankers for lease. The DC-10 Air Tanker is a DC-10-based firefighting tanker aircraft, using modified water tanks from Erickson Air-Crane . The MD-10
3605-504: The SkyTeam global airline alliance. After 9/11 and the Iraq War, it pursued a fleet renovation program. In 2003, the airline acquired its first Boeing 737-700 instead of the Boeing 717 as a replacement for its aging DC-9 aircraft. On 29 March 2006 Aeroméxico CEO, Andrés Conesa announced the inauguration of direct flights between Japan and Mexico City via Tijuana . This was after the purchase of two Boeing 777-200ERs , making Aeroméxico
3708-504: The United States Air Force 's CX-HLS (Heavy Logistics System) in 1965, Douglas Aircraft began design studies based on its CX-HLS submission. The aviation author John H. Fielder notes that the company was under competitive pressure to produce a widebody aircraft, having been somewhat slow in the previous decade to introduce its first jetliners . In 1966, American Airlines offered a specification to manufacturers for
3811-707: The United States House of Representatives investigated the cargo-door issue and the certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the original design. An airworthiness directive was issued, and all DC-10s underwent mandatory door modifications. The DC-10 experienced no more major incidents related to its cargo door after FAA-approved changes were made. On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 crashed immediately after takeoff from Chicago O'Hare Airport . Its left engine and pylon assembly swung upward over
3914-668: The 1950s renovation began, and the airline took over various small competitor companies across the country, including Aerovías Guest (the second airline of the country at that time) that held the routes to Madrid and Paris. Aeroméxico added aircraft including the Douglas DC-3 and its successor, the Douglas DC-4 . During the late 1950s, the Douglas DC-4s were replaced by some pressurized Douglas DC-6s and two Bristol Britannias (the first turboprop passenger aircraft in
4017-528: The 1971 estimate of 438 deliveries needed to break even on the program; however, according to Fielder, the DC-10 had not reached the breakeven point by the end of production. As the final DC-10s were delivered, McDonnell Douglas started production of its successor, the MD-11 , which was essentially a stretched derivative of the DC-10-30. In the late 1980s, international travel was on the rise thanks to lower oil prices and more economic freedom , leading to
4120-595: The Advanced Common Flightdeck, which has "significant commonality" with that of the MD-11, thus eliminating the flight engineer and permitting the aircraft, re-designated MD-10 , to be flown by a flight crew of two. Three independent hydraulic systems are present. The flight controls actuate many of the flight control surfaces across the airliner via these hydraulic circuits. The critical nature of these circuits and their vulnerability to damage in
4223-459: The American aerospace company Convair . The legal relationship between McDonnell Douglas, Convair, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would later serve to complicate matters; specifically, Convair was forbidden from contacting the regulator no matter the severity of any safety concerns it had in the DC-10's design. On February 19, 1968, in what was supposed to be a knockout blow to
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4326-523: The Americas, and one with the Panamanian start-up Cargo Three , also in the Americas. Non-airline operators included Omega Aerial Refueling Services with three DC-10 based KDC-10 tanker aircraft , the USAF with its 59 KC-10s, and the 10 Tanker Air Carrier with four modified DC-10-30s used for fighting wildfires. Orbis International has used a DC-10 as a flying eye hospital. Surgery is performed on
4429-469: The DC-10 achieved a long-term safety record comparable to those of similar-era passenger jets. The DC-10 outsold the similar Lockheed L-1011 TriStar due to the latter's delayed introduction and high cost. Production of the DC-10 ended in 1989, with 386 delivered to airlines along with 60 KC-10 tankers. It was succeeded by the lengthened, heavier McDonnell Douglas MD-11 . After merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, Boeing upgraded many in-service DC-10s as
4532-399: The DC-10 had been involved in 55 accidents and incidents , including 32 hull-loss accidents, with 1,261 occupant fatalities. Of these accidents and incidents, it has been involved in nine hijackings resulting in one death and a bombing resulting in 170 occupant fatalities. Despite its poor safety record in the 1970s, which gave it an unfavorable reputation, the DC-10 has proved to be
4635-572: The DC-10's completion in light of the prospective competition and the high financial stakes involved. Together with American Airlines' announcement of the DC-10 order, it was also reported that American Airlines had declared its intention to have the British Rolls-Royce RB211 turbofan engine on its DC-10 airliners. The DC-10 was first ordered by launch customers American Airlines with 25 orders, and United Airlines with 30 orders and 30 options in 1968. The DC-10's similarity to
4738-559: The DC-10-30) is a tanker aircraft that was primarily operated by the United States Air Force . Early operations of the DC-10 were afflicted by its poor safety record, which was partially attributable to a design flaw in the original cargo doors that caused multiple incidents, including fatalities. Most notable was the crash of Turkish Airlines Flight 981 in Paris in 1974, the deadliest crash in aviation history up to that time. Following
4841-694: The Dreamliners began in the summer of 2013. The total investment is US$ 11 billion and includes the acquisition of 90 Boeing 737 MAX 8s , which began delivering from 2018. The airline took delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (sourced from the ILFC order book) in early August 2013 and officially launched commercial service on 1 October 2013. Between 2013 and 2015, the remaining eight were delivered (seven leased and two owned by Aeroméxico outright). In September 2016, Aeroméxico received its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This particular frame, registered XA-ADL,
4944-655: The L-1011. Further models and derivatives of the DC-10 have been considered; perhaps the most radical of these being an unpursued twin-engined model akin to the Airbus A300 . However, following a spate of fatal accidents, particularly the American Airlines Flight 191 crash (the deadliest aviation accident in US history) orders for the DC-10 had nosedived by 1980, the type having garnered a poor reputation that
5047-560: The Lockheed L-1011 in design, passenger capacity, and launch date resulted in a sales competition that affected the profitability of both aircraft. On August 29, 1970, the first DC-10, a series 10, conducted its maiden flight . An extensive flight test program was carried out, totaling 929 flights and 1,551 flight hours; the test program was not incident-free: during one ground test in 1970, an outwardly-opening cargo door blew out and resulted rapid pressurization changes that caused
5150-584: The Los Angeles suburb of Cerritos, California . All 64 passengers and crew on board the DC-9-32 were killed, as were the three people in the light aircraft and 15 people on the ground. After three years and a long trial, the aircraft's crew and the airline were found not to blame. This was because the pilot of the Piper had strayed into an air traffic control zone reserved for commercial flights. That same year,
5253-470: The Saba family. On 17 October 2007, Banamex offered the highest bid and purchased the airline for US$ 249.1 million. In October 2010, Aeroméxico's largest competitor, Mexicana de Aviacion, filed for bankruptcy and was placed in administration. In 2011, Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico signed an enhanced commercial alliance, building on an original agreement from 1994. The 2011 agreement provided for codeshare on all
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#17327839304255356-455: The United States and Mexico. In 2016, the company flew 19.703 million passengers (up 5.0% vs. previous year), of which 13.047 million domestic (+3.7%) and 6.656 million international (+7.6%). It flew 34.776 million revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), had 43.362 million available seat kilometers (ASKs), and an 80.3% load factor. The airline was established as Aeronaves de México on 15 September 1934, by Antonio Díaz Lombardo. Its first aircraft
5459-466: The United States, and banning all DC-10s from U.S. airspace. These measures were rescinded five weeks later on July 13, 1979, after the slat actuation and position systems were modified, along with stall warning and power supply changes. In November 1979, the FAA fined American Airlines for removing the engine and its pylon as a single unit in its maintenance procedure, thus damaging the structure and causing
5562-486: The airline acquired the charter carrier GATSA and used it for charter operations until December. In April 1988, the state-owned company was declared bankrupt and grounded for three months because of lack of organization, a fleet with an average of 20 years without a renovation plan and a depredating administration by the Mexican Government. In August, a privatization program was underway. This involved retiring
5665-627: The airline have been reported as being due to skin color or ethnic origin. In May 2022, Aeroméxico prevented Nahuatl film maker David Cayetano from boarding a plane to Australia , where he was to present his film "Tsontiajakatl, el último viento" (Tsontiajakatl, the Last Wind). Aeroméxico falsely claimed that Cayetano did not have the required vaccines, leading to accusations that he was instead prevented from flying to his indigenous ethnicity. A significant number of complaints emerged in August 2022 after
5768-525: The airline launched a completely new website and new check-in kiosks at Mexico City airport. That same year, the airline also co-sponsored the launch of startup accelerator MassChallenge in Mexico. In August 2017, the company became the Mexico launch customers of digital agency MediaMonks and together, they released a new mobile app. Aeroméxico has been accused of racist behavior, with allegations including removing passengers from planes because they were Indigenous . Most complaints of discrimination against
5871-431: The airline would operate three Boeing 787 Dreamliners . Aeroméxico's deliveries were scheduled to begin in early 2012. From 2006, Consorcio Aeroméxico S.A. de C.V., the parent company of Aeroméxico at the time, faced large debts and had no profits to pay them off, so it offered Aeroméxico for sale in 2007. In early October, a week-long auction was held, with Grupo Financiero Banamex , a unit of Citigroup , competing against
5974-482: The apportionment of aviation rights to local or international markets. Near the end of the 20th century, many of these airlines have been corporatized as a public company or a state-owned enterprise , while others have been completely privatized . The aviation industry has also been gradually deregulated and liberalized, permitting greater freedoms of the air particularly in the United States and in
6077-449: The area of tourism. In many cases, governments would directly assist in the growth of their flag carriers typically through subsidies and other fiscal incentives. The establishment of competitors in the form of other locally registered airlines may be prohibited or heavily regulated to avoid direct competition. Even where privately run airlines may be allowed to be established, the flag carriers may still be accorded priority, especially in
6180-632: The artificial intelligence used on its chat platform. In an attempt to gain more worldwide presence and strengthen its network and to make connections easier and more frequent, Aeroméxico entered new international markets. In 2006 it started operations to Tokyo from Mexico City via Tijuana . Service to Shanghai from Mexico City via Tijuana began in May 2008. New destinations in 2015–2016 included Panama City (Panama), Santo Domingo, Vancouver, Toronto, Boston, Medellín, Amsterdam, Cozumel, and Austin (Texas). The airline launched service to Seoul from Mexico City (with
6283-415: The cargo door design to be dangerously flawed, as the door could be closed without the locking mechanism fully engaged, and this condition was not apparent from visual inspection of the door nor from the cargo-door indicator in the cockpit. The NTSB recommended modifications to make it readily apparent to baggage handlers when the door was not secured and also recommended adding vents to the cabin floor so that
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#17327839304256386-499: The cargo door, but the basic design remained unchanged, and problems persisted. On March 3, 1974, in an accident circumstantially similar to American Airlines Flight 96, a cargo-door blowout caused Turkish Airlines Flight 981 to crash near Ermenonville , France, in the deadliest air crash in history at the time—346 passengers and crew died. The cargo door of Flight 981 had not been fully locked, though it appeared so to both cockpit crew and ground personnel. The Turkish aircraft had
6489-481: The carriers' Mexico–US flights; Delta investing US$ 65 million in Aeroméxico shares; and Delta gaining a seat on the Aeroméxico board of directors. On 25 July 2012, Aeroméxico CEO Andrés Conesa announced the purchase of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The new order was added to the package of 20 aircraft that the company had announced in 2011 and nine more Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners already provided. The delivery of
6592-787: The company restructured. Existing tickets were honored and employees continued to be paid as usual. On July 1, 2021, shareholder Delta Air Lines announced it would purchase $ 185 million of the Mexican airline's Chapter 11 debt. On September 10, 2024, Aeroméxico is unveiling a new livery in celebration of the airline's 90th anniversary. Its headquarters are in Colonia Cuauhtémoc , Cuauhtémoc Borough , Mexico City . In 2016, Aeroméxico added 2Ku WiFi service by Gogo to some 737-800 aircraft, including access to Netflix . On its 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners it added Panasonic broadband Internet, and on Embraer narrowbody aircraft, streaming entertainment via Gogo 's Gogo Vision. In July 2016,
6695-423: The competing Lockheed L-1011 , George A. Spater , President of American Airlines, and James S. McDonnell of McDonnell Douglas announced American Airlines' intention to acquire the DC-10. This was a shock to Lockheed and there was general agreement within the U.S. aviation industry that American Airlines had left its competitors at the starting gate. According to Fielder, McDonnell Douglas had been urgently pursuing
6798-647: The conversions. On January 8, 2007, Northwest Airlines retired its last remaining DC-10 from scheduled passenger service, thus ending the aircraft's operations with major airlines. Regarding the retirement of Northwest's DC-10 fleet, Wade Blaufuss, spokesman for the Northwest chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association said, "The DC-10 is a reliable airplane, fun to fly, roomy and quiet, kind of like flying an old Cadillac Fleetwood . We're sad to see an old friend go." Biman Bangladesh Airlines
6901-520: The country of their registry . For example, under the law of the United States, a U.S. flag air carrier is any airline that holds a certificate under Section 401 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (i.e., any U.S.-based airline operating internationally), and any ship registered in the United States is known as a U.S. flag vessel . The term "flag carrier" is a legacy of the early days of commercial aviation when governments often took
7004-463: The crash of American Airlines Flight 191 , the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily banned all DC-10s from American airspace in June 1979. In August 1983, McDonnell Douglas announced that production would end due to a lack of orders, as it had widespread public apprehension after the 1979 crash and a poor fuel economy reputation. As design flaws were rectified and fleet hours increased,
7107-454: The distance required when landing. Despite being considerably larger, the landing speed of the DC-10 was comparable to that of the contemporary Boeing 727 . The primary flight controls of the DC-10 consist of inboard and outboard ailerons , two-section elevators , and a two-section rudder ; the secondary flight controls comprise leading edge slats , spoilers , and a dual-rate movable horizontal stabilizer . The vertical stabilizer with
7210-496: The door appeared secure, but the internal locking mechanism was not fully engaged. When the aircraft reached approximately 11,750 feet (3,580 m) in altitude, the door blew out, and the resulting explosive decompression collapsed the cabin floor. Many control cables to the empennage were cut, leaving the pilots with very limited control of the aircraft. Despite this, the crew performed a safe emergency landing. U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators found
7313-428: The doors do not occupy otherwise usable interior space when open. To overcome the outward force from pressurization of the fuselage at high altitudes, outward-opening doors must use heavy locking mechanisms. In the event of a door lock malfunction, there is greater potential for explosive decompression . On June 12, 1972, American Airlines Flight 96 lost its aft cargo door above Windsor, Ontario . Before takeoff,
7416-461: The eight Douglas DC-8s along with the remaining ten DC-9-15 aircraft. After a strike and bankruptcy between April and May 1988, a privatization process started and included a new corporate name (Aerovias de Mexico SA de CV). The airline restarted operations with some of its predecessor's assets, including the headquarters building, maintenance hangar, some aircraft, and some former Aeronaves de Mexico employees. The early 1990s were turbulent times, with
7519-409: The engine separation, rather than removing the engine from the pylon before removing the pylon from the wing as advised by McDonnell Douglas. On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 crashed at Sioux City, Iowa , after an uncontained engine failure of the tail engine earlier in the flight disabled all hydraulic systems and rendered most flight controls inoperable. The flight crew, assisted by
7622-564: The first MD-10 flew on April 14, 1999. The new cockpit eliminated the need for the flight engineer position and allowed common type rating with the MD-11. This has allowed companies such as FedEx Express , which operated both the MD-10 and MD-11, to use a common pilot pool for both aircraft. The MD-10 conversion now falls under the Boeing Converted Freighter program where Boeing's international affiliate companies perform
7725-572: The fleet) and in 1958, services were inaugurated to Idlewild Airport (now JFK) using the Britannias. The Mexico City- New York route would prove profitable for "Aeronaves" and its North American competitors. The airline was nationalised in 1959. In the early 1960s, the fleet of Aeronaves de México (Aeroméxico) included Douglas DC-3, Douglas DC-6, and Bristol Britannia aircraft. Starting in 1961, "Aeronaves" began replacing its piston-engined aircraft with new jets. The first jet-engined aircraft were
7828-403: The following airlines: Aeromexico uses an all- Boeing fleet. As of November 2024, the mainline Aeromexico fleet comprises the following aircraft: Not included are the fleets of subsidiary brand Aeroméxico Connect . Aeroméxico also formerly operated the following aircraft types: [REDACTED] Media related to Aeroméxico at Wikimedia Commons Flag carrier A flag carrier
7931-597: The ground and the operating room is located between the wings for maximum stability. In 2008, Orbis replaced its aging DC-10-10 with a DC-10-30 jointly donated by FedEx and United Airlines. The newer DC-10 was converted into an MD-10 configuration and began flying as an eye hospital in 2010. A modified DC-10 is operated by the Missile Defense Agency as the Widebody Airborne Sensor Platform (WASP). As of September 2015,
8034-424: The initial flight being a round-trip flight between Los Angeles and Chicago. United Airlines also commenced DC-10 flights later that same month. American's DC-10s were configured to seat a maximum of 206 passengers while United's seated 222; both had six-across seating in first-class and eight-across (four pairs) in coach. They operated the first version of the DC-10, referred to as the "domestic" series 10, which had
8137-642: The lead by establishing state-owned airlines because of the high capital costs of running them. However, not all such airlines were government-owned; Pan Am , TWA , Cathay Pacific , Union de Transports Aériens , Canadian Pacific Air Lines and Olympic Airlines were all privately owned, but were considered to be flag carriers as they were the "main national airline" and often a sign of their country's presence abroad. The heavily regulated aviation industry also meant aviation rights are often negotiated between governments, denying airlines access to an open market. These Bilateral Air Transport Agreements similar to
8240-408: The main cabin's floor to collapse. This discovery and first effort at rectification led to a contract dispute between McDonnell Douglas and Convair over what changes were necessary and financial liability. Fielder alleges that McDonnell Douglas consistently sought to minimize and postpone any design changes to the DC-10, although this attitude was not an explicit policy. In July 1971, Convair outlined
8343-403: The models is that the series 10 has three sets of landing gear (one front and two main) while the series 30 and 40 have an additional centerline main gear. The center main two-wheel landing gear (which extends from the center of the fuselage) was added to distribute the extra weight and for additional braking. The series 30 had a typical load range of 6,220 miles (5,410 nmi; 10,010 km) and
8446-531: The plans for the DC-10-50 were abandoned after British Airways ordered the Lockheed L-1011-500 instead. Beginning in 1966, two-engine designs were studied for the DC-10 before the design settled on the three-engine configuration. Later, a big twin based on the DC-10 cross-section was proposed to Airbus as a 50/50 venture but was rejected. Then in 1971, a shortened DC-10 version with two engines
8549-434: The pressure difference between the cabin and cargo bay during decompression could quickly equalize without causing further damage. Although many carriers voluntarily modified the cargo doors, no airworthiness directive was issued, due to a gentlemen's agreement between the head of the FAA, John H. Shaffer , and the head of McDonnell Douglas's aircraft division, Jackson McGowen. McDonnell Douglas made some modifications to
8652-466: The questions with answers. In September 2017, Aeromexico announced that it would be among the first companies worldwide to start services on WhatsApp 's new Enterprise solution – the first time large companies would be able to provide customer service to users at scale. In February 2018 the company announced development of further features together with its partner Yalochat , such as purchase confirmation and flight notifications via WhatsApp, and deepening
8755-464: The rise in fuel costs due to the Gulf War , and a domestic fare war caused by start-up airlines like TAESA , Servicios Aéreos Rutas Oriente , Aviacsa , among others, as well as constant labor problems. In April 1991 the first two 767-200ERs were introduced to the fleet starting to replace DC-10s in services to Europe, New York, and Tijuana, another two 767-300ERs joined the fleet later that year. This
8858-412: The rudder is mounted on top of the tail engine banjo while the horizontal stabilizer with its four-segment elevator is attached to the sides of the rear fuselage conventionally. The DC-10 is equipped with retractable tricycle landing gear . To enable higher gross weights, the later –30 and –40 series have an additional two-wheel main landing gear, which retracts into the center of the fuselage. The DC-10
8961-524: The series 10 and 30 engines were General Electric CF6 . Prior to taking delivery of the aircraft, Northwest's president asked that the "series 20" aircraft be redesignated "series 40" because the airliner was much improved over the original design. The FAA issued the certification for the series 40 on October 27, 1972. In 1972, the DC-10's listed unit cost was reportedly US$ 20M ($ 146 million in 2023 prices). The series 30 and 40 were longer-range "international" versions. The main visible difference between
9064-417: The situation in a formal memo; almost a year later, it internally expressed concerns that the inadequate resolution would lead to loss of aircraft. Tragically, the initial rectification work would prove to be inadequate. On July 29, 1971, the FAA issued the type certificate for the DC-10, permitting its entry into revenue service. It entered commercial service with American Airlines on August 5, 1971, with
9167-404: The smaller lower level is typically used for storage for baggage and food preparation; elevators are usually present to carry people and carts between the two levels. As originally designed, the floor of the main cabin was not strong enough to withstand full pressure differential, yet key control lines are routed through this floor, an approach that proved to be a key vulnerability. The DC-10
9270-500: The tail area led to the addition of hydraulic fuses to prevent the total loss of fluid. Power for the hydraulics was derived from primary and reserve engine-driven pumps equipped on each of the three engines. Hydraulic power was required for flight control, there was no provision for reverting to manual flight control inputs. A proposed version of the DC-10-10 with extra fuel tanks, 3 feet (91 cm) extensions on each wingtip, and
9373-600: The third airline in Latin America to fly regularly to Asia, after Varig and the now-defunct VASP . Since Varig's demise, Aeroméxico is currently the only airline with this service. Aeroméxico resumed its Mexico City-Tijuana-Shanghai route twice a week as of 30 March 2010. Suspension of this flight was due to the 2009 flu pandemic . On 29 June 2006, the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and Aeroméxico announced that
9476-524: The top of the wing, severing the leading edge slat actuator hydraulic lines. The slats retracted under the aerodynamic forces , causing the left wing to stall . This, combined with asymmetric thrust due to the missing engine, caused the aircraft to rapidly roll to the left, descend, and crash, killing all 271 people on board and two on the ground. Following the crash, the FAA withdrew the DC-10's type certificate on June 6, 1979, grounding all U.S.-registered DC-10s and those from nations with agreements with
9579-463: Was a Stinson SR Reliant 5A (registered XB-AJI). Julio Zinser piloted the maiden flight on the Mexico City – Acapulco route on 14 September 1934. When World War II began, the airline continued to grow with the help of Pan Am , which owned 40% of the new Mexican airline and upgrade the fleet with DC-2s and Boeing 247s . Aeroméxico saw few changes for the next two decades. However, during
9682-479: Was all a part of a renovation and expansion program to introduce 24 direct flights to Madrid and Paris from Mexico City with Boeing 767s as well as services to Frankfurt via Paris and Rome via Madrid. In 1992, Grupo Aeroméxico was among other investors that failed to consummate the acquisition of Continental Airlines . After failing to invest in Continental, Aeroméxico acquired the bankrupt Aeroperú from
9785-467: Was due in part to Aeroméxico's involvement in Mexican movies . Basically, every time characters in any movie produced in Mexico had to fly somewhere, they were depicted as flying on Aeroméxico aircraft. The early 1980s were marked by expansion. A new color scheme was introduced (orange paint and silver), two DC-10-15s and a DC-10-30 were added in 1981 and in 1984. Aeroméxico, one of the launch customers of
9888-504: Was for a four-engine double-deck wide-body jet airliner with a maximum seating capacity of 550 passengers and similar in length to a DC-8 . The proposal was shelved in favor of a trijet single-deck wide-body airliner with a maximum seating capacity of 399 passengers, and similar in length to the DC-8 Super 60. Large portions of the detailed design work, particularly that of the fuselage, were subcontracted to external companies, such as
9991-426: Was in 1995. In December 1994, three weeks after Carlos Salinas de Gortari left the office, the first of several devaluations in the next 18 months started, giving way to the Mexican peso crisis . As a consequence, Aeroméxico had to cut capacity and flights to Frankfurt and Rome were canceled, four McDonnell Douglas MD-80s and four Boeing 767s were returned to their lessors, early retirement for pilots and other staff
10094-513: Was named Aeronaves del Sureste ("Southeast Air Ships"). That subsidiary had a mix of Twin-Otter and DC-9 jets aircraft. Aeroméxico, as one of the launch customers of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 program, received the first of its aircraft in 1974. That same year the airline also took delivery of its first seven McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32s . During this period the airline's popularity and visibility grew dramatically. This
10197-424: Was proposed as a competitor to the Airbus A300 . McDonnell Douglas held a major presentation of the proposed DC-10 Twin at Long Beach, and several European airlines were willing to place orders. However on July 30, 1973, MDC's board decided not to give the proposed twin the go-ahead, as no US airline had ordered it. Later, more DC-10 Twin proposals were made, either as a collaboration with a European manufacturer or as
10300-417: Was scheduled after several delays in September 1999, and with the looming presidential elections in 2000, everything was delayed once again. The ruling party lost the election after 70 years in office and all the policies changed. Due to the recession in 2000, the new government put everything on hold, waiting for better economic conditions to start the stock sell-off, and just when everything was about to start,
10403-486: Was the last commercial carrier to operate the DC-10 in passenger service. The airline flew the DC-10 on a regular passenger flight for the last time on February 20, 2014, from Dhaka , Bangladesh to Birmingham , UK. Local charter flights were flown in the UK until February 24, 2014. As of September 2024, two DC-10s are in commercial service, one with TAB Airlines , a Bolivian cargo airline operating scheduled flights in
10506-546: Was underway, and a new Boeing 767 due for delivery in April 1995 was instead transferred to another airline. Flights to Madrid and Paris were operated only by two Boeing 767-300ER jets. In 1996, Cintra was created to prevent the two main carriers from going bankrupt. Some Boeing 757s of Aeroméxico's original renovation program were transferred to Mexicana and Aeroperú . The market and the airline recovered between 1996 and 1998; eight McDonnell Douglas MD80s were leased back along with two Boeing 767-200ERs. The sale of Grupo Cintra
10609-554: Was widespread amongst the traveling public as well as prospective operators. Competitive pressure had also played a role, Boeing in particular had developed the 747SP variant specifically to better compete with the DC-10 and L-1011. In December 1988, the 446th and final DC-10 rolled off the Long Beach, California Products Division production line and was delivered to Nigeria Airways in July 1989. The production run had exceeded
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