Aviation

Turboprops, twinjets, trijets, and quadjets

Plane Spotting

Unique spotting locations, spectacular liveries, numerous aircraft types and airlines…visit any major international airport and you’re greeted by a generous variety of everything from passenger and cargo variants of nimble narrowbodies to colossal heavies. Nothing this accessible to the public matches the sensory overload driven by sheer size, scale, and speed.

*Most images are taken near or at Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ)

Turboprops

Twinjets

Trijets

Quadjets

Highlights

Twinjets

Dual-engine jet aircraft are currently the most popular commercial aircraft flown today thanks to significant innovations and advancements in twinjet technology [1].

Popular models:
- Embraer E175
- Airbus A320
- Bombardier CRJ900
- Boeing 737

Trijets

Triple-engine jet aircraft were developed to provide increased range, safety, and performance over early dual-engine jet aircraft and operational flexibility and increased fuel efficiency over quadruple-engine aircraft [2].

Popular models:
- McDonnell-Douglas MD-11

A Dying Breed

Widebody trijets remain only in cargo operation. Following a tragic crash of a UPS MD-11 at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on November 4th, 2025 [7] and subsequent grounding, UPS confirmed on January 27th, 2026 that it will not be reactivating their fleet of trijets [8]. FedEx however has confirmed it plans to return its MD-11 fleet to service in May 2026 following extensive inspections and the in-depth crash investigation [9].

Quadjets

Quadruple-engine jet aircraft are among some of the largest aircraft in the world and have revolutionized travel in decades past (particularly the Boeing 747 "Jumbo Jet") [4].

Popular models:
- Airbus A380
- Boeing 747

On The Decline

For similar reasons as trijets, quadjets are on the decline but thanks to their long range and large payload capacity (also the ability to front-load cargo on the Boeing 747), a decent number still see service on heavy, long-haul passenger routes with larger numbers serving high-volume cargo operations [5].

Sources

“Twinjet.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 July 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinjet/
Davis, Jeff. “Boeing 727: Groundbreaking Tri-Jet Was the Best-Selling Airliner for 30 Years.” Intergalactic, 26 Mar. 2024, https://ig.space/commslink/boeing-727-groundbreaking-tri-jet-was-the-best-sel/
Bailey, Aaron. “Which Airlines Still Fly Trijets Today?” Simple Flying, 14 May 2024, https://simpleflying.com/which-airlines-still-fly-trijets-today/
Marco, Salomon. “The 12 Best Four Engine Passenger Planes of All Time.” Aero Corner, 26 Dec. 2022, https://aerocorner.com/blog/the-best-four-engine-passenger-planes/
Hayward, Justin. “Quadjets - from Transatlantic Enabler to Uneconomic Giant.” Simple Flying, 13 Nov. 2023, https://simpleflying.com/quadjets-uneconomic-giant/
Lomas, Chris. “What’s the Difference between a Low-Cost Carrier and an Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier?” Flightradar24 Blog, 30 Sept. 2024, https://flightradar24.com/blog/aviation-explainer-series/lcc-vs-ulcc/
Helsel, Phil. “At Least 7 Dead after Ups Plane Crashes during Takeoff at Louisville Airport.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 5 Nov. 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ups-plane-crash-louisville-airport-rcna241998/
Evans, Olivia. UPS Permanently Retires MD-11 Planes from Fleet Following Louisville Crash, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Jan. 2026, https://www.courier-journal.com/story/money/companies/2026/01/27/ups-permanently-removes-md-11-planes-from-fleet-after-louisville-crash/88179968007/
Fedex Plans MD-11 Cargo Plane Return by May 31 Following Ups Accident | Reuters, 28 Jan. 2026, https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/fedex-plans-md-11-cargo-plane-return-by-may-31-following-ups-accident-2026-01-28/

“Twinjet.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 July 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinjet/
Davis, Jeff. “Boeing 727: Groundbreaking Tri-Jet Was the Best-Selling Airliner for 30 Years.” Intergalactic, 26 Mar. 2024, https://ig.space/commslink/boeing-727-groundbreaking-tri-jet-was-the-best-sel/
Bailey, Aaron. “Which Airlines Still Fly Trijets Today?” Simple Flying, 14 May 2024, https://simpleflying.com/which-airlines-still-fly-trijets-today/
Marco, Salomon. “The 12 Best Four Engine Passenger Planes of All Time.” Aero Corner, 26 Dec. 2022, https://aerocorner.com/blog/the-best-four-engine-passenger-planes/
Hayward, Justin. “Quadjets – from Transatlantic Enabler to Uneconomic Giant.” Simple Flying, 13 Nov. 2023, https://simpleflying.com/quadjets-uneconomic-giant/
Lomas, Chris. “What’s the Difference between a Low-Cost Carrier and an Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier?” Flightradar24 Blog, 30 Sept. 2024, https://flightradar24.com/blog/aviation-explainer-series/lcc-vs-ulcc/
Helsel, Phil. “At Least 7 Dead after Ups Plane Crashes during Takeoff at Louisville Airport.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 5 Nov. 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ups-plane-crash-louisville-airport-rcna241998/
Evans, Olivia. UPS Permanently Retires MD-11 Planes from Fleet Following Louisville Crash, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Jan. 2026, https://www.courier-journal.com/story/money/companies/2026/01/27/ups-permanently-removes-md-11-planes-from-fleet-after-louisville-crash/88179968007/
Fedex Plans MD-11 Cargo Plane Return by May 31 Following Ups Accident | Reuters, 28 Jan. 2026, https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/fedex-plans-md-11-cargo-plane-return-by-may-31-following-ups-accident-2026-01-28/

Media Gallery

Lufthansa 2000 Airbus A340-313 D-AIGW landing on runway 33L with the Toronto skyline in the background.

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Media Gallery

Air Canada Express 2016 Bombardier DHC-8-400 C-GJZA

Waiting patiently for its turn to undergo de-icing.

Air Canada Jetz 1993 Airbus 320-211 C-FNVV

Arriving from Atlanta (ATL) on flight AC8950.

Air Canada 2016 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FRSA

Shortly after takeoff.

Air Canada 2007 Boeing 777-300ER C-FITW

Sporting the Go Canada Go Olympic livery.

Korean Air 2009 Boeing 777-300ER HL7783

Arriving from Seoul (ICN) and sporting the Skyteam livery.

KLM 2019 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner PH-BKA

Arriving from Amsterdam (AMS) sporting the 100 Years livery.

KLM 2019 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner PH-BKA

Arriving from Amsterdam (AMS) sporting the 100 Years livery.

American Airlines 2001 Boeing 777-200 N755AN

Making an exceptionally rare appearance in Toronto for the 2025 MLB World Series.

Cargojet 1993 Boeing 767-328(ER)(BDSF) C-FMIJ

Taxiing for departure on flight CJT999 to Cincinnati (CVG).

FedEx McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F)

On final approach arriving from Memphis (MEM) on flight FX248.

FedEx 1995 McDonnell Douglas MD-11F N617FE

Getting into position to be de-iced.

UPS 1992 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N290UP

Parked at Cargo East.

UPS 1992 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N290UP

Parked at Cargo East.

UPS 1996 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N252UP

Taxiing to the runway after being de-iced.

UPS 1991 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N259UP

Taxiing to the runway to get ready for takeoff.

Hi Fly Malta 1997 Airbus A340-300 9H-TQZ

Operating for Air Transat and arriving from Lisbon (LIS) on flight TS4481.

Lufthansa 2000 Airbus A340-313 D-AIGW

Landing on runway 33L with the Toronto skyline in the background.

National Airlines 1991 Boeing 747-400(F) N936CA about to undergo de-icing and sporting the 30th Anniversary livery.

National 1991 Boeing 747-400(F) N936CA

About to undergo de-icing and sporting the National Airlines 30th Anniversary livery.

Atlas Air 1998 Boeing 747-400F M475MC

Operating for Turkish Cargo as flight TK6044 arriving from New York (JFK).

Etihad Airways 2015 Airbus A380-800 A6-APD

Arriving from Abu Dhabi (AUH) on the inaugural A380 flight EY21.

Other Galleries

Related Galleries

Air Canada Express 2016 Bombardier DHC-8-400 C-GJZA

Waiting patiently for its turn to undergo de-icing.

Air Canada Jetz 1993 Airbus 320-211 C-FNVV

Arriving from Atlanta (ATL) on flight AC8950.

Air Canada 2016 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FRSA

Shortly after takeoff.

Air Canada 2007 Boeing 777-300ER C-FITW

Sporting the Go Canada Go Olympic livery.

Korean Air 2009 Boeing 777-300ER HL7783

Arriving from Seoul (ICN) and sporting the Skyteam livery.

KLM 2019 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner PH-BKA

Arriving from Amsterdam (AMS) sporting the 100 Years livery.

KLM 2019 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner PH-BKA

Arriving from Amsterdam (AMS) sporting the 100 Years livery.

American Airlines 2001 Boeing 777-200 N755AN

Making an exceptionally rare appearance in Toronto for the 2025 MLB World Series.

Cargojet 1993 Boeing 767-328(ER)(BDSF) C-FMIJ

Taxiing for departure on flight CJT999 to Cincinnati (CVG).

FedEx McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F)

On final approach arriving from Memphis (MEM) on flight FX248.

FedEx 1995 McDonnell Douglas MD-11F N617FE

Getting into position to be de-iced.

UPS 1992 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N290UP

Parked at Cargo East.

UPS 1992 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N290UP

Parked at Cargo East.

UPS 1996 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N252UP

Taxiing to the runway after being de-iced.

UPS 1991 McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) N259UP

Taxiing to the runway to get ready for takeoff.

Hi Fly Malta 1997 Airbus A340-300 9H-TQZ

Operating for Air Transat and arriving from Lisbon (LIS) on flight TS4481.

Lufthansa 2000 Airbus A340-313 D-AIGW

Landing on runway 33L with the Toronto skyline in the background.

National 1991 Boeing 747-400(F) N936CA

About to undergo de-icing and sporting the National Airlines 30th Anniversary livery.

Atlas Air 1998 Boeing 747-400F M475MC

Operating for Turkish Cargo as flight TK6044 arriving from New York (JFK).

Etihad Airways 2015 Airbus A380-800 A6-APD

Arriving from Abu Dhabi (AUH) on the inaugural A380 flight EY21.