MD80

The MD-80 is a family of twin‑engine, single‑aisle airliners developed by McDonnell Douglas from the DC‑9. It was designed to offer higher capacity and longer range on short‑ to medium‑distance routes, featuring a stretched fuselage, updated aerodynamics, and rear‑mounted turbofan engines. The first flight occurred in 1979 and entry into service began in 1980.

Variants in the MD‑80 family include the MD‑81, MD‑82, MD‑83, and MD‑88, which differ mainly in fuselage length and seating capacity. The MD‑90 is a later, stretched variant with updated systems and revised aerodynamics. The MD‑80 line was marketed to compete with contemporaries such as the Boeing 737 Classic and the Airbus A320 family and became a common sight among airlines worldwide.

Production began in the 1980s and continued into the late 1990s, with more than a thousand aircraft built across the MD‑80 family. The aircraft is powered by two rear‑mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D‑family engines and notable for its relatively simple maintenance footprint, good short‑haul performance, and commonality with earlier DC‑9 variants.

Operational history and retirement: the MD‑80 enjoyed widespread use by carriers in North America, Europe, and beyond, particularly on short to medium routes. As newer aircraft offered improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs, many operators began retiring MD‑80s in the 2010s and 2020s. Some examples remain in limited service with charter operators or have been repurposed for cargo or military roles, though the type has largely been withdrawn from mainstream commercial passenger fleets.

Typical specifications: seating approximately 140–172 passengers depending on variant, range roughly 2,500–3,000 nautical miles, and cruise speed near Mach 0.76–0.79.

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