MD-80: The Retirement of An American Airlines Icon

American Airlines flew its last revenue MD-80 flights on Sept. 4 before commemorating the fleet with quite a send off. Of the 26 aircraft that made their last revenue flight on Sept. 3 or 4, American plans to donate two, use one for deicing training for a few weeks in Dallas, and park the rest in Roswell, New Mexico.

The carrier took delivery of its first McDonnell DC-9 Super 80 in October 1982. After American merged with TWA in 2001, its MD-80 fleet numbered 362 at its peak. 

Two MD-80s ferried American Airlines employees and several journalists from Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW) to Roswell, New Mexico (ROW). On takeoff, both of those flights tipped their wings to the right, then left, as a salute to DFW ATC.

This was the MD-80 that I flew on. Our pilots, who said the MD-80 is “a Cadillac of an aircraft,” flew the aircraft manually for the final flight.

Here’s the aircraft’s nameplate. American Airlines flew MD-81s, -82s, 83s and -87s.

The cabin was in a 2-by-3 seat configuration with comfortable, cloth-covered seats--and more legroom than newer narrowbodies.  

Here's the MD-80 aft galley.

And the galley windows. Our cruise altitude was 28,000 ft.

Because the JT8D engines are mounted on rear of the fuselage, the view from the back few windows includes the engine (and it’s clearly much louder in the back of the plane than in the front).

A view of the wing over west Texas or eastern New Mexico.

One unique thing about the MD-80 is its tail cone, where the air condition system and emergency slide are housed. A cat walk pulls down from inside the aircraft to access it.

The back stairs were used frequently before jetways were prevalent, said Capt. Bruce Taylor, a chief pilot who flew the MD-80 for 25 years. He will be moving on the Airbus A320.

Note the red paint near the top of the rudder—a subtle sign from its original carrier—TWA.

Jose Ramirez, an AMT and crew chief, in the hydraulics bay near the landing gear. He said the thrust reverser valve and air conditioning units were some of the least desirable parts to maintain.

The MD-80, 4YU, that made the final revenue flight as AA80 from DFW to ORD on Sept. 4, was the last to land at Roswell. 

After the aircraft flown as flight AA80 landed, the plane was open for us to see the graffiti covering the inside. Apparently, the last passengers traveled with Sharpies.

Another passenger's sentiment: parts anyone?

American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parker noted that the MD-80s replaced older, less efficient aircraft (the 727-100), and now it’s time to make way for new aircraft again. “But for those of you here, you get it,” it’s about appreciating what the aircraft has done for the airline and its uniqueness. Parker noted it’s good to appreciate history and “look forward to where we’re going.”

And that is the MD-80’s exit.