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MD-80 McDonnell Douglas
(now Boeing)
MD-80
Medium-Range Jetliner

DESCRIPTION:
The MD-80 was designed by McDonnell Douglas as an improved version of the popular Douglas DC-9 family. Based on the DC-9 Series 50, the MD-80 was initially known as the DC-9-55 and later as the DC-9 Super 80. It was not until 1983 that the design was christened the MD-80 to reflect the merger of Douglas into McDonnell Douglas.
In comparison with the DC-9-50, the MD-80 featured an increased wingpan, larger fuselage for up to 172 passengers, various aerodynamic improvements (including the "flat" fuselage tailcone), more fuel efficient engines, and a performance management system to optimize fuel efficiency and performance. No specific aircraft was actually known as the MD-80. Actually, this generic name was applied to five members of the design family: the MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87, and MD-88.
All together, 1,194 MD-80s were built by Douglas and under license by the Shanghai Aviation Industrial Corporation in China before production ended in 1999. Many MD-80 aircraft remain in service although numbers are due to be reduced rapidly as airlines take delivery of more fuel efficient Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 planes. The MD-80 was replaced by the updated MD-90.
Data below for MD-82 and MD-87
Last modified 11 April 2011

HISTORY:

First Flight (MD-81) 19 October 1979
(MD-82) 8 January 1981
(MD-83) 17 December 1984
(MD-87) 4 December 1986
(MD-88) 15 August 1987

Service Entry

(MD-81) September 1980 (with Swissair)
(MD-82) August 1981 (with Republic Airlines)
(MD-83) February 1985 (with Alaska Airlines)
(MD-87) November 1987 (with Finnair and Swissair)
(MD-88) January 1988 (with Delta Air Lines)

CREW: two flight crew: pilot, co-pilot

PASSENGERS: (typical) 105-172
(MD-82) 155 in two classes

ESTIMATED COST:

$41.5 to $48.5 million

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root DSMA-433A/-434A

Wing Tip

DSMA-435A/-436A

DIMENSIONS:

Length (MD-82) 147.83 ft (45.06 m)
(MD-87) 130.42 ft (39.7 m)

Wingspan 107.83 ft (32.87 m)

Height (MD-82) 30.17 ft (9.19 m)
(MD-87) 30.50 ft (9.3 m)

Wing Area 1,270 ft² (118 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty (MD-82) 77,980 lb (35,370 kg)
(MD-87) 73,160 lb (33,185 kg)

Normal Takeoff unknown

Max Takeoff (MD-82) 149,500 lb (67,815 kg)
(MD-87) 140,000 lb (65,500 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: 5,840 gal (22,100 L)
external: not applicable

Max Payload

(MD-82) 43,450 lb (19,710 kg)
(MD-87) 38,845 lb (17,620 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217/217A/217C/219 turbofans

Thrust (JT8D-217 series) 40,000 lb (177.94 kN)
(JT8D-219) 42,000 lb (186.83 kN)

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 575 mph (925 km/h)
at sea level: unknown
cruise speed: 510 mph (815 km/h), Mach 0.80

Initial Climb Rate unknown

Service Ceiling 37,000 ft (11,290 m)

Range MD-82:
max fuel: 2,175 nm (4,030 km)
max payload: 2,055 nm (3,800 km)
MD-87:
max fuel: 2,390 nm (4,420 km)
max payload: 2,375 nm (4,395 km)

g-Limits unknown

KNOWN VARIANTS:

MD-81 or
DC-9 Super 81 Basic production model carrying 125 to 146 passengers with JT8D-209 engines

MD-82 or
DC-9 Super 82 Model with increased power engines for better performance, carries 137-155 passengers, also built in China

MD-83 Extended-range version with extra fuel tanks, more poweful engines, and strengthened landing gear, also built in China

MD-87 Extended-range model with shortened fuselage carrying 105 to 130 passengers

MD-88 Similar to MD-82 but with advanced EFIS cockpit displays and windshear warning system

MD-89 Proposed stretched model carrying 173 passengers and with a range of 2,605 nm (4,830 km), cancelled

MD-UDF Demo Test aircraft based on the MD-80 but fitted with an experimental General Electric UnDucted Fan propfan engine in place of the port turbofan

MD-UHB Demo Test aircraft based on the MD-80 but fitted with an experimental Allison Ultra High Bypass propfan engine in place of the port turbofan

KNOWN OPERATORS: 1Time
Aero Lloyd
Aerolineas Argentinas
Aeromexico
Air ALM
Air Aruba
Air Jamaica
Air Liberté
Air Philippines
Air Uganda
Alaska Airlines
Alitalia
Allegiant Air
AMC Airlines
American Airlines
AOM French Airlines
Arioimpex
Atlasjet
Austral
Austrian Airlines
Avianca Colombia
BelAir Ile de France
Best Air
BWIA International
China Eastern Airlines
China Northern Airlines
Continental Airlines
Crossair
Dana Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Dinar Lineas Aereas
Eurofly
Express One International
Far Eastern Air Transport
Finnair
FlyNordic
Global Aicraft Solutions
GMG Airlines
Golden Nugget Aviation
Harlequin Air
Iberia
Inex Adria
Japan Air Systems
KEB Aircraft
Korean Airlines
Kulula
Lineas Aereas Canarias (LAC)
Meridiana
MD Airlines
Miami Air International
Midwest Airlines
Midwest Express
Northwest Airlines
Nouvelair Tunisie
One-Two-Go Airlines
Onur Air
Pacific Airlines
Republic Airlines
Safair
Sam Colombia
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Southern Airways
Spanair
Spirit Airlines
Spirit of Manila Airlines
Swissair
Trans World Airlines (TWA)
U Land Airlines
US Airways
Venus Airways
Viscount
West Caribbean Airways
World Focus Airlines

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

MD-80

SOURCES:

Aboulafia, Richard. Jane's Civil Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996, p. 82-83, McDonnell Douglas MD-80.

Boeing MD-80 site

Chant, Christopher and Taylor, Michael J.H. The World's Greatest Aircraft. Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, 2006, p. 228, Douglas DC-9 and McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) MD-80/90 Series.

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 615-616, McDonnell Douglas MD-80.

Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 1999, p. 628-634, MD-80 and MD-90 Family.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 279-280, McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series.

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 260-261, Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) MD-80 series.

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DESCRIPTION: The MD-80 was designed by McDonnell Douglas as an improved version of the popular Douglas DC-9 family. Based on the DC-9 Series 50, the MD-80 was initially known as the DC-9-55 and later as the DC-9 Super 80. It was not until 1983 that the design was christened the MD-80 to reflect the merger of Douglas into McDonnell Douglas. In comparison with the DC-9-50, the MD-80 featured an increased wingpan, larger fuselage for up to 172 passengers, various aerodynamic improvements (including the "flat" fuselage tailcone), more fuel efficient engines, and a performance management system to optimize fuel efficiency and performance. No specific aircraft was actually known as the MD-80. Actually, this generic name was applied to five members of the design family: the MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87, and MD-88. All together, 1,194 MD-80s were built by Douglas and under license by the Shanghai Aviation Industrial Corporation in China before production ended in 1999. Many MD-80 aircraft remain in service although numbers are due to be reduced rapidly as airlines take delivery of more fuel efficient Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 planes. The MD-80 was replaced by the updated MD-90. Data below for MD-82 and MD-87 Last modified 11 April 2011
HISTORY:
First Flight	(MD-81) 19 October 1979 (MD-82) 8 January 1981 (MD-83) 17 December 1984 (MD-87) 4 December 1986 (MD-88) 15 August 1987
Service Entry	(MD-81) September 1980 (with Swissair) (MD-82) August 1981 (with Republic Airlines) (MD-83) February 1985 (with Alaska Airlines) (MD-87) November 1987 (with Finnair and Swissair) (MD-88) January 1988 (with Delta Air Lines)
CREW:	two flight crew: pilot, co-pilot
PASSENGERS:	(typical) 105-172 (MD-82) 155 in two classes
ESTIMATED COST:	$41.5 to $48.5 million
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	DSMA-433A/-434A
Wing Tip	DSMA-435A/-436A
DIMENSIONS:
Length	(MD-82) 147.83 ft (45.06 m) (MD-87) 130.42 ft (39.7 m)
Wingspan	107.83 ft (32.87 m)
Height	(MD-82) 30.17 ft (9.19 m) (MD-87) 30.50 ft (9.3 m)
Wing Area	1,270 ft² (118 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	(MD-82) 77,980 lb (35,370 kg) (MD-87) 73,160 lb (33,185 kg)
Normal Takeoff	unknown
Max Takeoff	(MD-82) 149,500 lb (67,815 kg) (MD-87) 140,000 lb (65,500 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: 5,840 gal (22,100 L) external: not applicable
Max Payload	(MD-82) 43,450 lb (19,710 kg) (MD-87) 38,845 lb (17,620 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217/217A/217C/219 turbofans
Thrust	(JT8D-217 series) 40,000 lb (177.94 kN) (JT8D-219) 42,000 lb (186.83 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 575 mph (925 km/h) at sea level: unknown cruise speed: 510 mph (815 km/h), Mach 0.80
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	37,000 ft (11,290 m)
Range	MD-82: max fuel: 2,175 nm (4,030 km) max payload: 2,055 nm (3,800 km) MD-87: max fuel: 2,390 nm (4,420 km) max payload: 2,375 nm (4,395 km)
g-Limits	unknown
KNOWN VARIANTS:
MD-81 or DC-9 Super 81	Basic production model carrying 125 to 146 passengers with JT8D-209 engines
MD-82 or DC-9 Super 82	Model with increased power engines for better performance, carries 137-155 passengers, also built in China
MD-83	Extended-range version with extra fuel tanks, more poweful engines, and strengthened landing gear, also built in China
MD-87	Extended-range model with shortened fuselage carrying 105 to 130 passengers
MD-88	Similar to MD-82 but with advanced EFIS cockpit displays and windshear warning system
MD-89	Proposed stretched model carrying 173 passengers and with a range of 2,605 nm (4,830 km), cancelled
MD-UDF Demo	Test aircraft based on the MD-80 but fitted with an experimental General Electric UnDucted Fan propfan engine in place of the port turbofan
MD-UHB Demo	Test aircraft based on the MD-80 but fitted with an experimental Allison Ultra High Bypass propfan engine in place of the port turbofan
KNOWN OPERATORS:	1Time Aero Lloyd Aerolineas Argentinas Aeromexico Air ALM Air Aruba Air Jamaica Air Liberté Air Philippines Air Uganda Alaska Airlines Alitalia Allegiant Air AMC Airlines American Airlines AOM French Airlines Arioimpex Atlasjet Austral Austrian Airlines Avianca Colombia BelAir Ile de France Best Air BWIA International China Eastern Airlines China Northern Airlines Continental Airlines Crossair Dana Airlines Delta Air Lines Dinar Lineas Aereas Eurofly Express One International Far Eastern Air Transport Finnair FlyNordic Global Aicraft Solutions GMG Airlines Golden Nugget Aviation Harlequin Air Iberia Inex Adria Japan Air Systems KEB Aircraft Korean Airlines Kulula Lineas Aereas Canarias (LAC) Meridiana MD Airlines Miami Air International Midwest Airlines Midwest Express Northwest Airlines Nouvelair Tunisie One-Two-Go Airlines Onur Air Pacific Airlines Republic Airlines Safair Sam Colombia SAS Scandinavian Airlines Southern Airways Spanair Spirit Airlines Spirit of Manila Airlines Swissair Trans World Airlines (TWA) U Land Airlines US Airways Venus Airways Viscount West Caribbean Airways World Focus Airlines
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Aboulafia, Richard. Jane's Civil Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996, p. 82-83, McDonnell Douglas MD-80. Boeing MD-80 site Chant, Christopher and Taylor, Michael J.H. The World's Greatest Aircraft. Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, 2006, p. 228, Douglas DC-9 and McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) MD-80/90 Series. Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 615-616, McDonnell Douglas MD-80. Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 1999, p. 628-634, MD-80 and MD-90 Family. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 279-280, McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series. Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 260-261, Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) MD-80 series.