Aircraft Factfile and Recognition Guide - McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Family

 

Background

Douglas launched the DC-9 development project in April 1963, intending the DC-9 as a short-range companion to their larger four engined DC-8. Unlike the competing but slightly larger Boeing 727, which used as many 707 components as possible, the DC-9 was an all-new design, using two rear fuselage-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines, a small, highly efficient wing, and a T-tail. In most configurations, DC-9 family aircraft have distinctive 5-abreast seating in coach class rather than the more common 6-abreast. The airplane seats 80 to 90 passengers depending on seating arrangement.

The DC-9 prototype flew in February 1965 and entered service with Delta Air Lines in December of that year. It was an immediate commercial success with 976 built when the production ended in 1982. 1980 saw the introduction of the MD-80 series (originally called DC-9-80 series) which was a lengthened DC-9-50 with a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and higher fuel capacity. The MD-80 series was then developed into the MD-90 in the early 1990s. The last variant of the family was the MD-95, which was renamed the Boeing 717-200 after McDonnell Douglas' merger with Boeing in 1997.

The DC-9 family is one of the most rugged, longest-lasting aircraft currently in operation. Operator Northwest Airlines still operates a fleet of DC-9 aircraft, most are over 30 years old. That reputation for reliability and efficiency drove strong sales well into the 2000s. The long-lived DC-9 family is one of the most successful jet airliners ever made with total sales of over 2,400 units; it ranks third behind the second place Airbus A320 family with 3,000 total sales, and the first place Boeing 737 with over 6,000 total sales.

DC-9 Variants

DC-9-10: The earliest and smallest DC-9 was 104.4 feet (31.8 m) long and had a maximum weight of 41 tons. Power was a pair of 14,000 lbf (54.5 kN) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-5s. One hundred thirty-seven were built. In August 2006 a total of 46 DC-9-10 aircraft remain in airline service. Major operators include USA Jet Airways (9). Some 12 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.

DC-9-15 and DC-9-20: These were minor variations on the -10 theme. The -15 added more fuel capacity and higher weights, the -20 used the more powerful engines and improved wings of the -30 to improve hot and high performance. Only a small number of each were made. In August 2006 a total of 2 DC-9-20 aircraft remain in airline service, with Aeropostal Alas de C America and Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela. 1Time airline in South Africa still operates a -15.

DC-9-30: The -30 was the definitive model with 662 produced, accounting for about 60% of production. The -30 entered service in February 1967 with a 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) fuselage stretch, wingspan increased by just over 3 feet (0.9 m) and a high-lift wing system of leading edge slats gives the Series 30 excellent short-field performance. Gross take-off weight was increased to 110,000 lb (50,000 kg), and P&W JT8D-9A engines rated at 14,500 lbf (65 kN) of thrust to JT8D-11 rated at 15,500 lbf (69 kN) of thrust. In August 2006 a total of 294 DC-9-30 aircraft remain in airline service. Major operators include: Cebu Pacific Air (11), ABX Air (43), Aero California (23), Aserca Airlines (26) and Northwest Airlines (107). Some 26 other airlines also still operate the type.

DC-9-40: This further stretched version entered service with SAS in March 1968. With a 6ft 6 in (2 m) longer fuselage, accommodation was up to 125 passengers. The -40 was fitted with a variety of Pratt & Whitney engines of between 64.5 and 71 kN. Seventy-one were produced. In August 2006 a total of 41 DC-9-40 aircraft remain in airline service, with ABX Air (29) and Northwest Airlines (12).

DC-9-50: The -50 was the largest DC-9 to fly. It had an 8 ft 2 in (2.5) m fuselage stretch and seats up to 139 passengers. It started revenue service in August 1975 and, aside from the size increase, included a number of detail improvements, a new cabin interior, and quieter JT8D-15 or -17 engines in the 70 kN class. McDonnell Douglas delivered 96. In August 2006 a total of 57 DC-9-50 aircraft remain in airline service, with Antrak Air (1), Hewa Bora Airways (1), Khors Aircompany (7), Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela (12), Northwest Airlines (34) and Tikal Airlines (2).

MD-80/MD-90

The MD-80 series is a mid-size, medium-range airliner that was introduced in 1980. The design was second generation of the DC-9 with two rear fuselage-mounted turbofan engines, small, highly efficient wings, and a T-tail. The aircraft has a distinctive 5-abreast seating in coach class. It was a lengthened DC-9-50 with a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and the ability to carry more fuel. The airplane series was designed for frequent, short-haul flights for 130 to 172 passengers depending on plane version and seating arrangement. Originally it was designated DC-9-80 and marketed as the "DC-9 Super 80". That was changed to MD-80 before the initial launch as a marketing move to show that McDonnell Douglas had a new airliner for the 1980s.

The MD-80 series entered service in 1980. It was typically known as the "MD-80" or "Super 80". The versions of the series were the MD-81/82/83/88 and the shortened MD-87. The MD-80 versions have cockpit, avionics and aerodynamic upgrades along with the more powerful, efficient and quieter JT8D-200 series engines, which are a significant upgrade over the smaller JT8D-15, -17, -11, and -9 series. The MD-80 series aircraft also have longer fuselages than their earlier DC-9 counterparts, as well as longer range. The MD-80's production ended in 1999. Notably, launch customers American Airlines and Alitalia still, as of 2006, refer to the planes in fleet documentation as "Super 80" or "SP80". This model is still flown extensively by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines on domestic routes. The MD-80's closest competitor was the Boeing 737-400.

The MD-80 series has been used by airlines around the world. Major customers include Aeroméxico, Allegiant Air, Northwest Airlines, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Swissair, Alitalia, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), Finnair, Iberia, Japan Air System (JAS), China Eastern Airlines, Midwest Airlines, China Northern Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Korean Air, and Austral Líneas Aéreas. Many of the airlines have, however, started to retire the type in the 2000s.

The MD-90 is a mid-size, medium-range airliner that was developed from the MD-80 series. It was a 1.4 m longer, updated version of the MD-88 with a similar electronic flight instrument system (EFIS), (glass cockpit) and even more powerful, quieter and fuel efficient IAE V2500 engines. The MD-90 features seating for 153 to 172 passengers depending on seating arrangement.

The MD-90 was launched in 1989, first flew in 1993 and entered service in 1995. The MD-90 came in two versions: -30 and -30ER. The -30 had a range of 2,400 miles. The -30ER had a higher gross weight and range up to 2,750 miles with an auxiliary fuel tank.

MD-90 production ended in 2001 due to internal competition with Boeing's own 737-800 after Boeing and McDonnell Douglas merged in 1997. The final MD-90s were built under contract in China. The MD-90 is the least successful member of the DC-9 family with 117 planes sold. The main competitors of the MD-90 included the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737-800.

MD-90 major customers include Delta Air Lines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Japan Air System (JAS) and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS). Of special note is that Delta Air Lines had initially placed a large order for the MD-90 to replace some aging Boeing 727s. After the Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger, Delta cancelled their remaining MD-90 orders in favor of the Boeing 737-800.

Recognizing the DC-9 Family

The DC-9 family of airliners are a VERY easy aircraft to identify on the ground and in the air. Here's some tips to help you identify the DC-9 or an MD-80:

Wings:  Low-set swept wings which taper toward the wingtips.
Engines:  Two turbofan engines mounted on sides of rear fuselage forward of tail fin.
Fuselage:  Narrow-body, circular fuselage with a rounded nose and a pointed tail. The MD-80 family is stretched beyond the DC-9's fuselage.
Tail:  Angular swept fin and rudder with a swept "T" tailplane mounted near the top.  Small rounded fin extension above the tailplane with a bullet fairing to the rear.

Specifications