MD-80

MD-80
Name	MD-80
Type	Narrow-body jet airliner
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas
First flight	October 18, 1979
Introduction	October 10, 1980 with Swissair
Status	In limited service
Primary users	American Airlines (historical), Delta Air Lines (historical), Allegiant Air (historical), Aeroméxico
Produced	1979–1999
Number built	1,191
Developed from	McDonnell Douglas DC-9
Developed into	McDonnell Douglas MD-90, Boeing 717

MD-80. The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a series of twin-engine, short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners developed from the McDonnell Douglas DC-9. It entered service in 1980 with launch customer Swissair and was produced for nearly two decades, becoming a mainstay of many major U.S. airline fleets. The series is characterized by its T-tail, rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines, and a longer, updated fuselage compared to its predecessor.

Development and design

The program was launched in 1977 as a derivative of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9, initially designated the DC-9-80 (Series 80). The primary goal was to create a more fuel-efficient and quieter aircraft with greater passenger capacity to compete with new entrants like the Boeing 737. Key design changes included a stretched fuselage, an updated flight deck with an EFIS option, and more advanced versions of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engine. The design and testing phase involved significant work at the Douglas Aircraft Company facilities in Long Beach, California, culminating in the first flight of the prototype in October 1979.

Operational history

The MD-80 entered commercial service with Swissair in October 1980. Its major market success came in the United States, where carriers like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines built massive fleets, with American branding its aircraft as the "Super 80." The type became ubiquitous at domestic hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. While production ended in 1999 after the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing, the MD-80 remained in widespread passenger service for decades, with operators like Allegiant Air using it extensively for low-cost carrier operations until retiring their fleets in the 2020s. A small number remain in service globally for passenger and cargo roles.

Variants

The MD-80 family comprises several models offering increased range and payload. The initial MD-81 was the baseline model, followed by the MD-82 with more powerful engines and improved hot and high performance. The MD-83 featured additional fuel capacity for extended range, while the MD-87 was a shortened fuselage variant. The MD-88 incorporated a modernized glass cockpit with systems from the subsequent MD-11 program. All models were ultimately superseded by the next-generation McDonnell Douglas MD-90, which featured International Aero Engines V2500 engines.

Operators

Major historical operators included American Airlines, which at its peak operated over 300 aircraft, and Delta Air Lines, which integrated a large fleet from its acquisition of Northwest Airlines. Other significant carriers were Finnair, Scandinavian Airlines, Alitalia, and Japan Air System. In the 21st century, primary users shifted to low-cost and charter operators such as Allegiant Air and European Air Charter. As of recent years, the largest remaining passenger operator is Aeroméxico, while cargo conversions are flown by companies like USA Jet Airlines. Many retired airframes are stored at locations like the Mojave Air and Space Port.

Accidents and incidents

The MD-80 has been involved in several notable accidents over its service life. These include Delta Air Lines Flight 191, which crashed in a microburst at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1985, and Scandinavian Airlines Flight 751, which experienced a dual-engine failure after ice ingestion and crash-landed in Sweden in 1991. Other significant accidents were China Northern Airlines Flight 6136, a fatal crash following an onboard fire, and Spanair Flight 5022, which crashed on takeoff from Madrid–Barajas Airport due to configuration error. The type has also been subject to various Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directives concerning systems like the slats and hydraulic fluid.

Specifications (MD-83)

* **Crew:** Two (Captain and First Officer) * **Capacity:** 155 passengers (typical two-class) * **Length:** 45.1 m (148 ft 0 in) * **Wingspan:** 32.8 m (107 ft 8 in) * **Height:** 9.0 m (29 ft 7 in) * **Empty weight:** 35,900 kg (79,100 lb) * **Max takeoff weight:** 72,600 kg (160,000 lb) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 turbofan engines * **Range:** 4,635 km (2,880 mi) with full payload * **Service ceiling:** 11,000 m (37,000 ft) * **Cruise speed:** Mach 0.76

Category:Aircraft manufactured in the United States Category:Twinjets Category:McDonnell Douglas aircraft