Derived metrics
Computed by aircraft.fyi from the core specification — see how we calculate these.
How big is it, really?
The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar's wingspan, against things you already know the size of.
The numbers
| Length (L-1011-1) | 54.17 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 47.34 m |
| Height | 16.87 m |
| MTOW (-200) | 195,045 kg |
| Typical seats | ≈256 |
| Engines | 3 × Rolls-Royce RB211-22B |
| First flight | 16 November 1970 |
| Built | 250 |
Put the Lockheed L-1011 next to something
Last verified: 2026-07-14 · Spot an error? business@luck.fyi
What makes it different
The TriStar was the engineer's trijet. It could autoland in zero visibility in 1972 — a capability so far ahead of its time that crews demonstrated coast-to-coast flights without touching the controls. Its third engine breathed through an elegant S-duct instead of the DC-10's straight-through tail, and pilots loved it without reservation.
It was also a business tragedy. Its Rolls-Royce engines bankrupted Rolls-Royce, the delay handed the market to the DC-10, and 250 aircraft weren't nearly enough: Lockheed lost billions and never built a civil airliner again.
One TriStar still flies — and it's the best one: Northrop Grumman's Stargazer, which climbs to 40,000 feet and drops Pegasus rockets that carry satellites to orbit. The most advanced airliner of its decade ended up as a spaceship's first stage.
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar — the short answers
How fast is the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar?
How far can the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar fly?
How many people does the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar carry?
Is the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar still in production?
How big is the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar?
The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar line
L-1011-1 / -100 / -200
L-1011-500
Stargazer
Who flies the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
All 1 current operators, verified 2026-07-14. Fleet counts are approximate where marked ≈.
Put it next to something
- Lockheed L-1011 TriStar vs McDonnell Douglas DC-10 →
- Lockheed L-1011 TriStar vs McDonnell Douglas MD-11 →