MD-80: The Retirement of An American Airlines Icon
Lee Ann Shay
Final Revenue Flights
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekAmerican 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.

MD-80 Fleet
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekThe 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.

Wing Salute On Takeoff
Stacey TaylorTwo 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.

Cadillac Of An Aircraft
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekThis 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.

Nameplate
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekHere’s the aircraft’s nameplate. American Airlines flew MD-81s, -82s, 83s and -87s.

Comfortable Cabin
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekThe cabin was in a 2-by-3 seat configuration with comfortable, cloth-covered seats--and more legroom than newer narrowbodies.

Galley
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekHere's the MD-80 aft galley.

Galley Window
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekAnd the galley windows. Our cruise altitude was 28,000 ft.

Window View (With Engine)
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekBecause 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).

Wing View
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekA view of the wing over west Texas or eastern New Mexico.

Tail Cone
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekOne 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.

TWA Red Paint
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekNote the red paint near the top of the rudder—a subtle sign from its original carrier—TWA.

Hydraulic Bay
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekJose 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.

AA80
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekThe 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.

Passenger Momentos
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekAfter 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.

Spare Parts?
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekAnother passenger's sentiment: parts anyone?

CEO's Accolades
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekAmerican 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.”

Exit
Lee Ann Shay/Aviation WeekAnd that is the MD-80’s exit.
Gallery originally published September 2019.
On Sept. 4, American Airlines made its last MD-80 revenue flights and held a retirement fete for the iconic 1980s aircraft, the workhorse affectionately nicknamed Mad Dog.