DeltaMD11 From United States of America, joined Dec 2002, 1698 posts, RR: 38 Posted (13 years 1 month 2 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 2116 times:
It seems like the Old DC-9 will never be given up. Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines, have given up their DC-9's. Airtran and Hawaiian are next. But look at these start up carriers like "Legend" and "Sun Jet", or whats left of it. Does anyone know if the DC-9 will be retired sometime soon? I love the plane, but it is simply getting too old.
Cheers,
-DeltaMD11
Too often we ... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. - John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Woodsboy From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 1011 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (13 years 1 month 2 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 2040 times:
WHen you talk about the DC-9 being retired you have to remember you are talking about a fleet of over 900 aircraft that were produced from 1965 to 1982, a healthy 17 year run. You then have the MD-80/90 fleet built between 1980-2000 which numbers approx 1300 aircraft, all but 28 of which are still in service.
In particular the DC-9 will obviously be phased out before the MD-80 BUT, the aircraft share many common systems, engine components etc. so I bet that both types will remain around a long time, probably evetually in a cargo role before they finally go away. Many big airlines still have sizeable fleets of DC-9s and even more so 100+ fleets of MD-80s, they are here to stay. And now with the 717 you will likely see a development of that type into at least two variants with longer fuselage.
The DC-9/ MD-80/90/B717 already represents the most long lasting design of any civilian airliner, having been continuously produced for over 35 years. Dont be surprised to see the type break the 45 year mark.
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8770 posts, RR: 13 Reply 2, posted (13 years 1 month 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 2035 times:
Northwest has just refurbished their DC-9-30/40/50's. They will all be around for 5-10 more years at the least. They are retiring the DC-9-10s in favor of the AVRO RJ-85.
N-156F From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (13 years 1 month 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 2029 times:
With any luck, the D9S and D95 will stick around for some time. They're among my favorite types to fly on, as they (and the 727s) are really the only aircraft left where you can feel the power of the engines on takeoff. Ever been in the back of DC-9-50 on a takeoff run? Compare it to the 757's wimpy (by comparison) gradual speed increase, and you'll get what I mean. Sure, they're noisy, inefficient, and pretty old, but they're still great to fly on, and, as Legend has proven, can be made into viable frontliners for years to come.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Dec 2002, 1698 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Printer friendly format 
