Announced in June 1955, Douglas DC-8 entered service with launce customers United and Delta was on September 18, 1959, a year behind the Boeing 707. Unfortunately for Douglas, that years delay allowed Boeing to seize leadership of the jet airliner market, a position that only now is under serious challenge by Airbus.

Six commercial models of the DC-10 were developed. All versions of the trijet accommodate from 250 passengers in a typical mixed first class and coach arrangement, to 380 in all-economy seating.

The DC-10-10 model was designed for service on routes of up to 3,476 nm and is powered by General Electric CF6-6 engines. First deliveries were made jointly to American Airlines and to United Airlines and entered commercial service on Auust 5, 1971. 

The intercontinental range DC-10- 40, powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, offered range up to 5,040 nm and was introduced to service in 1972. The -30, an intercontinental model with a range of approximately 5,127 nm was also introduced in 1972, equipped with General Electric CF6-50 fanjets. The DC-10 Convertible Freighter, first delivered in 1973, is available in the basic Series 10, Series 30 or Series 40. 

The DC-10-15, launched in 1979, combines the basic smaller airframe of -10 with a version of the more powerful engines used on the longer-range -30s. This combination gives the Series 15 outstanding performance with full loads from high-altitude airports or in hot climates. The DC-10-30F, an all-freighter model, was introduced in May 1984, with first delivery on January 24, 1986. This pure freighter version carries payloads of up to 87.5 tons. 

A military variant of the DC-10 is the U.S. Air Force KC-10 tanker/cargo aircraft, adapted from the Series 30CF for aerial refueling and cargo transport.

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