A History of Delta’s MD-80s and MD-90s

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Delta Air Lines’ McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90 fleets were a favourite among aviation enthusiasts. Known for their rugged dependability and distinct design, Delta’s “Mad Dogs” served faithfully for decades, and were an important part of the airline’s domestic network.

 

But what happened to them and where are they now?

 

Delta Airlines MD-80 Service History

Delta introduced the MD-80 series in 1987 with the MD-82, followed by the MD-88 in 1988. The MD-88, with a slightly upgraded cockpit and improved avionics, quickly became the backbone of Delta’s short-to-medium-haul fleet.

Known for its long fuselage, narrow cabin, and rear-mounted engines, the MD-88 flew throughout the United States and beyond, connecting cities across Delta’s vast network. Passengers became familiar with its unique cabin, which was quiet at the front and noisier at the back. The view of the rear-mounted engines from the last rows of seats provided an iconic experience many would later miss.

Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1995, Delta introduced the MD-90, a stretched and more modernized version of the MD-80. The MD-90, powered by quieter and more efficient International Aero Engines V2500 engines, was a step toward Delta’s commitment to reducing noise pollution and fuel consumption.

Delta operated the MD-90 across similar routes to the MD-80, often on routes with high demand, like Atlanta to major hubs across the Midwest and East Coast.

Delta retired the MD-80 series in June 2020. The last flight, a symbolic journey from Washington, D.C. to Atlanta, marked the end of an era and was celebrated by Delta employees and fans alike.

The MD-90 exited the fleet later in 2020 as Delta accelerated its retirement plan due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These retirements ended nearly 40 years of “Mad Dog” service with Delta, and many enthusiasts mourned the loss of these classic jets from Delta’s fleet.

 

Safety Record

Delta 1086 at LaGuardia. Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Notably, Delta’s MD-80 and MD-90 fleets experienced few incidents over the years.

The most significant was Delta Flight 1288, an MD-88 which experienced an engine fan blade failure at Pensacola in 1996, resulting in 2 fatalities.

Another incident was Delta Flight 1086, an MD-88, which skidded off a snowy runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in 2015. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but the accident underscored the aircraft’s longevity and resilience in handling various conditions.

 

 

Delta MD-80 Technical Information

Delta Air Lines MD-88; N938DL@DCA;19.07.1995

With maximum speeds of around 504 mph, seating for up to 160 passengers, and robust Pratt & Whitney JT8D (for MD-88) and IAE V2500 (for MD-90) engines, these aircraft were loved by pilots and passengers alike. Today, Delta’s MD-80 and MD-90 series are fondly remembered, their absence still felt by those who experienced their unique charm.

 

What Happened to Delta’s “Mad Dogs”?

Delta’s MD-80 fleet in storage at Arkansas International Airport, Blytheville

Almost 170 different McDonnell Douglas MD-82, MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft were operated by Delta over the years.

Following the retirement much of the fleet were sent to storage or returned to lessors.

Many wound up at Arkansas International Airport in Blytheville – an airport used by Delta for maintenance work on its fleet. They were subsequently scrapped there.

Others were scrapped at other airports, like Victorville Southern California Logistics Airport.

At present, only one example has found a new life. N930TB, previously N908DA, is a MD-90 which was delivered new to Delta in 1995 and is now working with Boeing and NASA in the X-66A programme. Another aircraft, N931TB (ex-N962DN) is also earmarked for the project.

 

What are your memories of the Delta Air Lines MD-80 and MD-90 fleets? Leave a comment below!

 

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