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Flight 111 was captained by 49-year-old Eric Zimmermann, a seasoned pilot with nearly 11,000 flying hours, including 900 on the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft. His co-pilot, 36-year-old Stefan Lowe, brought with him just under 5,000 flying hours. Both men were ex-fighter pilots from the Swiss Air Force and had extensive experience in the cockpit. This knowledge and training created an atmosphere of competence and reassurance for the passengers, who had settled into their seats, unaware of the disaster lurking ahead.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft performed as expected, despite turbulent weather conditions. However, a few minutes after reaching cruising altitude, an unusual odor began to permeate the cockpit, signaling the beginning of a horrific ordeal.