McDonnell Douglas MD-80

MD-83 timeline


Announced/go-ahead: January 31, 1983.

First flight: December 17, 1984.

FAA certification: October 17, 1985 (MTOW 149,500 lb (67,800 kg)). MTOW of 160,000 lb (73,000 kg) certificated November 4, 1985.

First delivery: February, 1985 to Alaska Airlines - initially as -82 powered by -217A engines and certificated as MD-82s.

Alaska Airlines' first four aircraft were subsequently re-engined and re-certificated as MD-83s
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Entry into service: February, 1985 with Alaska Airlines.

Last delivery: December 28, 1999 to TWA.

MD-87


In January 1985 McDonnell Douglas announced that it was to produce a shorter fuselage MD-80 development aircraft, designated the MD-87 (DC-9-87), which would seat between 109 and 130 passengers depending upon configuration.

The designation was intended to indicate its planned date of entry into service, 1987.


Dimensions: With an overall length of 130 feet 5 inches (39.75 m), the MD-87 is 17 feet 4 inches (5.28 m) shorter than the other MD-80s but is otherwise generally similar to them, employing the same engines, systems and flight deck.

The MD-87 features modifications to its tail, with a fin extension above the tailplane.

It also introduced a new low drag "beaver" tail cone which became standard on all MD-80s.

Powerplant: The MD-87 was offered with either the 20,000 lbf (89 kN) thrust JT8D-217C or the 21,000 lbf (93 kN) thrust -219.

Performance: Two basic versions of the MD-87 were made available with either an MTOW of 140,000 lb (64,000 kg) and MLW of 128,000 lb (58,000 kg) or an MTOW of 149,000 lb (68,000 kg) and an MLW of 130,000 lb (59,000 kg).

Fuel capacity is 5,840 US gallons (22,100 l), increasing to 6,970 US gallons (26,400 l) with the incorporation of two auxiliary fuel tanks.

Typical range with 130 passengers, is 2,370 nautical miles (4,390 km) increasing to 2,900 nautical miles (5,400 km) with two auxiliary fuel tanks.

Cabin: The MD-87 provides typical mixed class seating for 114 passengers or 130 in an all economy layout (five-abreast 31 in and 32 in seat pitch). The maximum seating, exit limited, is for 139 passengers.

MD-87 timeline


Announced/go-ahead: January 1985.

First flight: December 4, 1986.

FAA certification: October 21, 1987.

First delivery: November 27, 1987 to Austrian Airlines.

Last delivery: March 27, 1992 to Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).