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MD-80 series

McDonnell Douglas (from 1979 until Aug. 1997) Boeing Commercial Airplanes (from Aug. 1997 to present) Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company (under license) · Narrow-body jet airliner · United States · Cold War (1970–1991)

MD-80 series — Narrow-body jet airliner
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The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series (initially marketed as Super 80) was an American narrow-body airliner family — McDonnell Douglas's mid-life DC-9 successor + one of the most-successful US commercial airliners of the 1980s-1990s. McDonnell Douglas developed the MD-81 / 82 / 83 / 87 / 88 in 1977-1980 as a stretched + re-engined DC-9-50 development; first flight (MD-81) 18 October 1979; service entry October 1980 (Swissair). About 1,191 MD-80s were built between 1980 and 1999. The aircraft served 80+ airlines worldwide including American Airlines (largest operator, 360+ aircraft), Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, SAS, Iberia, + many others.

The MD-82 (most-numerous variant) used 2 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217A turbofans. Maximum cruise speed Mach 0.76 (835 km/h), range 3,790 km, service ceiling 11,300 m, MTOW 67,810 kg. Passenger capacity: 155-172 (typical 2-class to high-density). The MD-80's distinguishing features: rear-mounted engines + T-tail (allowing a quieter cabin + smoother landings), narrow-aisle five-abreast seating, + the largest passenger cabin in the DC-9 family. The aircraft was particularly popular with US carriers for short + medium-haul domestic routes.

MD-80 service was concentrated 1980-2020 with American Airlines as principal user. Famous incidents: American Airlines 587 (November 2001) was an Airbus A300 not MD-80 (often confused); the most-significant MD-80 accident was Spanair 5022 (Madrid August 2008) — a takeoff stall after takeoff-flap setting error killed 154 of 172 aboard. American Airlines retired its last MD-80 in September 2019; Delta retired its MD-80s in 2020. As of 2026, ~50 MD-80s remain in service worldwide, mostly with smaller cargo + charter operators. The MD-90 (1995-2000, smaller production) + MD-95 / Boeing 717 (1998-2006) were direct MD-80-family successors. The MD-80 was Boeing's principal short-haul programme for 20 years + a major reason for the 1997 McDonnell Douglas-Boeing merger.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The McDonnell Douglas MD-81 was an American passenger jet from the 1980s. It came from the DC-9 family but was stretched longer to fit more people inside. The plane could carry between 150 and 170 passengers on short trips around the country.

The MD-81 had two big engines on the back of the plane, near the tail. Most jets put the engines under the wings, but the MD-81 put them in the rear. This made the front cabin much quieter for passengers. The plane also had a special T-shaped tail at the top.

About 1,191 MD-80 family jets were built between 1980 and 1999. That made it one of the best-selling American jetliners ever. American Airlines loved them and had more than 360 of these planes. They flew short hops across the country every day.

The MD-81 was about as long as five city buses parked in a line. Its top speed was around 500 mph, which is fast but a bit slower than newer jets like the Boeing 737. American Airlines finally retired their last MD-80s in 2019 after almost 40 years of flying passengers.

Fun Facts

  • The MD-81 had its two big engines mounted on the back of the plane instead of under the wings.
  • American Airlines owned more than 360 MD-80 family jets at one time.
  • About 1,191 MD-80 jets were built, making it one of the best-selling American airliners ever.
  • The plane had a T-shaped tail high above the engines.
  • Passengers in the front of the plane heard very little engine noise during the flight.
  • The MD-80 series was sometimes nicknamed the Super 80 when it first came out.

Kids’ Questions

Why are the engines on the back of the MD-81?

Rear engines make the front of the plane quieter for passengers. The wings also stay clean and smooth without engines hanging under them. This was a popular design in the 1960s and 1970s.

Is the MD-81 still flying today?

Most MD-80 family jets have been retired. American Airlines flew their last one in 2019. A few cargo airlines still use them for hauling freight, but they are getting rare.

Variants

MD-81 / 82 / 83 / 87 / 88
Length + range variants. MD-82 most-numerous.
MD-83 (1985)
Extended-range variant. Higher MTOW.
MD-87 (1987)
Shortened variant. 130-passenger capacity.

Notable Operators

American Airlines (1983-2019)
Largest operator. 360+ aircraft over career.
Delta Air Lines (1987-2020)
Major US operator. 117 aircraft over career.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Spanair 5022 Madrid crash?

Spanair Flight 5022 crashed on takeoff from Madrid-Barajas on 20 August 2008, killing 154 of 172 aboard. The accident was caused by the crew attempting to take off without extending the takeoff flaps + slats — a procedural error that should have been caught by the MD-82's Takeoff Configuration Warning System (TOCWS). The TOCWS failed to alarm because of a malfunctioning temperature sensor + intermittent electrical issue that disabled the audible warning. Without flaps + slats the aircraft could not generate enough lift, stalled shortly after rotation, + crashed into the runway. The Spanish AAIB investigation found the crew did not run the takeoff configuration checklist correctly + that Spanair's maintenance had not addressed the TOCWS intermittent fault. The accident is the MD-80 family's worst + contributed to airline accelerated MD-80 retirements.

Sources

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