Friday, April 29, 2016

Fly them before they are gone


American Airlines MD-80 or Super 80 at Dallas - Fort Worth

Detail view American Airlines MD-80 or Super 80 at Dallas - Fort Worth
With Delta’s retirement of the DC-9,  the last aircraft of these fast moving birds are disappearing from the land's airports. This is certainly a cause for missing these airplanes.  The DC-9 and MD-80 were favorites to fly.  Flyers have said the flight deck is so quiet that piloting one feels like piloting a glider.  The hardware that closes the windows is strong and comforting.  The crosswind performance is very good.  The skylights let in too much light most of the time so pilots cover them with cardboard pieces on the inside of the window.  The knobs are different shapes for different functions.  These MD-80s are being retired, because newer airplanes that go further with their fuel are taking their place. If at all possible book a flight on one of these while it is still possible to fly one. American Airlines has concentrated the MD 80 fleet to Dallas-fort Worth. The MD-80 flying will cease for American Airlines in 2017.  There may never be a chance again to fly an MD-80.

3 comments:

  1. I used to travel extensively, and many times flown an MD-80...nice aircraft, as so many of the now-defunct and long gone McDonnell Douglas aircraft were. Sad to see them go. I have never been a fan of the "cattle-car" (Boeing 777 and above) aircraft. Like flying around in an office building!

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  2. I used to travel extensively, and many times flown an MD-80...nice aircraft, as so many of the now-defunct and long gone McDonnell Douglas aircraft were. Sad to see them go. I have never been a fan of the "cattle-car" (Boeing 777 and above) aircraft. Like flying around in an office building!

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  3. Thank you for adding your story. The MD 80 experience was a good one for the traveler.

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