Aviation
Aviation

Aviation

Aviation

Turboprops, twinjets, trijets, and quadjets

Plane Spotting

Nothing this accessible to the public matches the sensory overload driven by its sheer speed, scale, and size. Numerous aircraft types, airlines, unique spotting locations, beautiful liveries…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.

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

Turboprops

Twinjets

Trijets

Quadjets

Turboprops
Twinjets
Trijets
Quadjets

Highlights

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
  1. “Twinjet.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 July 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinjet/
  2. 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/
  3. Bailey, Aaron. “Which Airlines Still Fly Trijets Today?” Simple Flying, 14 May 2024, https://simpleflying.com/which-airlines-still-fly-trijets-today/
  4. 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/
  5. Hayward, Justin. “Quadjets - from Transatlantic Enabler to Uneconomic Giant.” Simple Flying, 13 Nov. 2023, https://simpleflying.com/quadjets-uneconomic-giant/
  6. 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/
  7. 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/
  8. 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/
  9. 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/
Sources:
  1. “Twinjet.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 July 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinjet/
  2. 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/
  3. Bailey, Aaron. “Which Airlines Still Fly Trijets Today?” Simple Flying, 14 May 2024, https://simpleflying.com/which-airlines-still-fly-trijets-today/
  4. 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/
  5. Hayward, Justin. “Quadjets – from Transatlantic Enabler to Uneconomic Giant.” Simple Flying, 13 Nov. 2023, https://simpleflying.com/quadjets-uneconomic-giant/
  6. 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/
  7. 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/
  8. 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/
  9. 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/

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

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