AA MD-80 Routes: 2015

IDAWA · Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:53 am

Following up on this archived topic

Current AA MD-80 Routes Excluding To Or From DFW. (by American 767 May 25 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Is there an updated list of AA's MD-80 routes?

PRAirbus · Thu Feb 26, 2015 4:33 pm

Good riddance! Too old and outdated; need to GO!

mke717spotter · Thu Feb 26, 2015 4:39 pm

DFW/ORD-TUS is for the foreseeable future, and DFW-MKE looks like a mix of A319/MD80 into the summer.

[Edited 2015-02-26 08:39:46]

American 767 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 4:45 pm

I recently made another post about the NYC area and the MD-80. Some people replied telling me that EWR-ORD would see for the time being the MD-80 2x daily in both directions. Thanks IDAWA for bringing back one of my old posts.

Other routes I can think of: ORD-STL, STL-LAX and ORD-PSP. Those still see the MD-80. I'm only talking about the "non DFW" ones, the ones that do not start or end in DFW. STL-LAX is likely to see the A319, I would think.

Ben Soriano

realsim · Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:24 pm

Eff March 2015, the Washington DC (DCA/IAD/BWI) S80 pilot domicile is closing, so only DFW, ORD, STL (TWA pilots) and LAX are left.

AFAIK, some S80 flights are needed at LAX to maximize gate configuration.

doulasc · Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:46 pm

What about DFW-CMH or is that route going to A319s

kaitak744 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:22 pm

Quoting realsim (Reply 4):
AFAIK, some S80 flights are needed at LAX to maximize gate configuration.

I believe if gate 41 has a 777, then gate 43 is restricted to MD-80.

However, I thought all 777 ops have moved to TBIT?

jsnww81 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:29 pm

Quoting kaitak744 (Reply 6):
However, I thought all 777 ops have moved to TBIT?

That may be the plan ultimately, but hasn't happened yet. 777 flights still use Gate 41 and 49 primarily. Gate 45 can also accommodate the 777 but isn't used for it very often.

Once the TBIT connector is completed, I expect we may see all 777 ops moved over to TBIT. The existing gates could be restriped at that point and potentially net one or two additional parking positions.

Flaps · Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:39 pm

May they remain in PIT until the very last flight. Best aircraft in the fleet.

Tan Flyr · Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:58 pm

except for a new limited summer 738 red-eye turnaround at FAT..I'd bet that DFW-FAT remains MD80 until the last day!

Quoting Flaps (Reply 8):
May they remain in PIT until the very last flight. Best aircraft in the fleet.

Maybe that day it will be a DFW-PIT-DFW-FAT routing..then to the boneyard!.. LOL!

Yflyer · Thu Feb 26, 2015 7:22 pm

The NYC thread made me go check AA's schedule out of SMF. SMF-DFW has been exclusively MD-80 for the 10 years I've lived here. While the MD-80 remains for most flights, it looks like there's now a new 738 redeye, the same as FAT.

kaitak744 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 7:32 pm

Quoting jsnww81 (Reply 7):
That may be the plan ultimately, but hasn't happened yet. 777 flights still use Gate 41 and 49 primarily. Gate 45 can also accommodate the 777 but isn't used for it very often.

Once the TBIT connector is completed, I expect we may see all 777 ops moved over to TBIT. The existing gates could be restriped at that point and potentially net one or two additional parking positions.

http://fromthecontroltower.blogspot....01-02T22:24:00-08:00&max-results=4

They are doing some 777 ops at TBIT. Maybe just arrivals?

777STL · Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:21 pm

Quoting American 767 (Reply 3):
Other routes I can think of: ORD-STL, STL-LAX and ORD-PSP. Those still see the MD-80. I'm only talking about the "non DFW" ones, the ones that do not start or end in DFW. STL-LAX is likely to see the A319, I would think.

STL-DFW is still several frequencies daily. I'm actually flying that one tommorrow.

Quoting realsim (Reply 4):
AFAIK, some S80 flights are needed at LAX to maximize gate configuration.

There's only a handful of MD80 flights left at LAX. I believe STL and AUS are the only destinations left out of LAX(I might be forgetting one....).

TUSDawg23 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:46 pm

Quoting mke717spotter (Reply 2):
DFW/ORD-TUS is for the foreseeable future, and DFW-MKE looks like a mix of A319/MD80 into the summer.

It's silly to me that ORD-TUS has been flown by the MD-80 for so long. Flight time is nearly 3 and a half hours westbound. I'm not sure why AA would put their most gas guzzling narrowbody on such a long route when they have A319's and 738's at their disposal. An A319 would be the best choice for this route while maybe substituting a 738 when demand is higher on the route during snowbird season.

N1120A · Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:29 pm

Quoting kaitak744 (Reply 6):
However, I thought all 777 ops have moved to TBIT?

No departures have moved to Bradley. That won't happen until after the connector is built.

Quoting kaitak744 (Reply 11):
They are doing some 777 ops at TBIT. Maybe just arrivals?

That's international arrivals.

UA444 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:37 pm

Quoting Yflyer (Reply 10):

I remember getting a 757 for SMF-DFW one time in late July 2005. It was ex-TWA since it had drop down monitors and TWA galley carts. Trip back was an MD by the engine. Not happy about that.

Alias1024 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:37 pm

Quoting TusDawg23 (Reply 13):
I'm not sure why AA would put their most gas guzzling narrowbody on such a long route when they have A319's and 738's at their disposal

I think this is what you will see as the MD-80 fleet nears the end. Routes will move to A319s and 738s as they're delivered, with some 76 seat RJs mixed in to find the ideal frequency and capacity for routes. The large RJs add a lot of flexibility in planning capacity that AA didn't have in the past. I'd guess the end of the MD-80 at AA will look similar to the end of the 732 at WN. All based in Dallas and flying short hops to maximize fuel savings on longer routes.

B747forever · Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:46 pm

They still fly on both ORD-STL and STL-DFW. Booked on those flights in June on the S80.

TWA772LR · Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:51 pm

I think IAH-DFW will be the last MD-80 route. Similar to COs last Mad Dawg route being DFW-IAH.

Max752 · Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:19 pm

Quoting 777stl (Reply 12):
STL-LAX is likely to see the A319, I would think.

I actually think it might become a 737-800 year round, maybe seasonally. STL-LAX is low frequency that is frequently booked at 90% capacity plus with little upgrade/non-revenue availability in F so AA is making a nice chunk of change with almost all paid F. The 737 would be a better swap at twice daily, in my opinion, though knowing AA it could be an a319-100.

So, with that said:

March through September: Boeing 737-800
November through February: either down to one daily RT or an a319-100

I'm just waiting to see when the a319-100 gets put on STL-DFW or STL-ORD. I imagine very-very soon.

-Max

MD80Nut · Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:37 pm

Flew MD80s DFW-SLC and SLC-DFW about 3 weeks ago. DFW is still MD80 heaven but saw that the 738s, A319s and A321s are a growing presence.

I'm gonna miss those Mighty Mad Dog twins. I read somewhere they will be gone sometime in 2018.

Cheers, Ralph

American 767 · Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:18 am

Quoting 777stl (Reply 12):
STL-DFW is still several frequencies daily.

I know. I specified in my post I was not talking about DFW.

Quoting MD80Nut (Reply 20):
DFW is still MD80 heaven but saw that the 738s, A319s and A321s are a growing presence.

Yes it still is but now you start seeing the difference compared to what it was a few years ago. Like you say, the number of daily 738 flights out of DFW is growing. Soon DFW won't be MD-80 heaven anymore, when I say soon I mean a year from now. In a year from now the MD-80 fleet will be down to less than 100 airplanes.

Quoting MD80Nut (Reply 20):
'm gonna miss those Mighty Mad Dog twins.

Me too. But keep in mind that Delta will still have them for a while, I'd say until at least the early 2020s. They have MD-88s, MD-90s and B717s so you still have a good chance to get one if you go to ATL, DTW or MSP.

Quoting MD80Nut (Reply 20):
I read somewhere they will be gone sometime in 2018.

Correct. The last one is expected to leave in 2018, but it's still too early to know exactly when in 2018. What we do know is the final flight will arrive in DFW.

Ben Soriano

SunsetLimited · Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:30 am

DFW-MSY is all S80 right now. Not a surprise considering it's a short haul and the route needs the capacity.

777STL · Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:40 am

Quoting American 767 (Reply 21):
I know. I specified in my post I was not talking about DFW.

That's fine, I don't care. I was adding that to the conversation.

Quoting Max752 (Reply 19):
I actually think it might become a 737-800 year round, maybe seasonally. STL-LAX is low frequency that is frequently booked at 90% capacity plus with little upgrade/non-revenue availability in F so AA is making a nice chunk of change with almost all paid F. The 737 would be a better swap at twice daily, in my opinion, though knowing AA it could be an a319-100.

That wouldn't surprise me. STL-LAX has always been a strong performer.

Quoting Max752 (Reply 19):
I'm just waiting to see when the a319-100 gets put on STL-DFW or STL-ORD. I imagine very-very soon.

I think you might be surprised.

This is entirely my opinion, but the perfect last flight would be STL-DFW, paying homage to STL and TWA who contributed a large number of MD80s to the fleet, presumably including the aircraft operating that flight(I'm presuming the last MD80s will be mostly later build, ex-TW birds). If both stay as MD80 bases until the end, it would sort of make sense from an operational perspective as well.

The reality is it will probably end up being ORD-DFW, but oh well.

American 767 · Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:05 am

Quoting 777stl (Reply 23):
I was adding that to the conversation.

OK no problem.

Quoting 777stl (Reply 23):
the perfect last flight would be STL-DFW, paying homage to STL and TWA who contributed a large number of MD80s to the fleet, presumably including the aircraft operating that flight(I'm presuming the last MD80s will be mostly later build, ex-TW birds). If both stay as MD80 bases until the end, it would sort of make sense from an operational perspective as well.

I agree with you on that one. STL also has been MD-80 heaven for a long time until the late 2000s when American decided to dismantle the STL hub, keeping only flights to DFW, ORD, LGA, MIA and LAX. True the youngest Mad Dogs are ex-TWA MD-83s.

nomorerjs · Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:16 am

The Mad Dogs will be in the fleet for 2 to 3 years. DFW will be the last base with ORD the 2nd to last base to close. DFW-ORD in summer has 1 321 and 5 738s with 13 MD-80s. ORD-DFW is more than likely to be the last "official" MD80 flight, but there could be some after due to MX. ORD is actually getting more MD80s this summer with mainline returning to EWR, ATL, SAT, and MCI (as well as a couple of MD80s to LGA).

RWA380 · Fri Feb 27, 2015 9:44 am

PDX loses the AA M80s next week, I thoroughly enjoyed the hundred or so M80 flights I've taken to & from PDX over the past 15 years, quietest takeoff ever, especially when in rows 1-4, even fully loaded on a westbound ORD-PDX flight over 4 hours I liked the aircraft. But I am a fan of the entire DC-9 series of aircraft, Luckily I've had opportunity to fly on many models of the DC-9 family, from the 10 on up.

zkokq · Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:53 am

I am devoed. I am coming to the USA and was hoping on getting a MD flight (SEA-DFW-MCO was the plan) but my flight has been changed between a 737 and A321 a few times now. Not holding out hope.

jb1087xna · Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:48 pm

TUL and OKC still see several M80 flights to DFW per day.

Max752 · Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:38 pm

Quoting 777stl (Reply 23):
but the perfect last flight would be STL-DFW, paying homage to STL and TWA

Wow that would be amazing. STL and the TWA crew kinda deserve that farewell flight. It also makes some logistical sense with a nice amount of TWA MD80 crew still based at STL.

I still imagine STL-ORD with the a319-100 pretty soon.

FSDan · Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:19 pm

Quoting realsim (Reply 4):
AFAIK, some S80 flights are needed at LAX to maximize gate configuration.

Quoting kaitak744 (Reply 6):
I believe if gate 41 has a 777, then gate 43 is restricted to MD-80.

What about when the E75s start LAX ops? Will AA be able to park an E75 next to a 777, or will all the E75s be out at the RJ satellite?

ckfred · Fri Feb 27, 2015 4:35 pm

A friend of mine who flies for AA expects that at some point, the ORD crew base will close for MD-80 pilots. But, MD-80s will still fly in and out of ORD, via the ORD-DFW route.

JBAirwaysFan · Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:09 pm

ORD-MCI sees a daily MD-80 return at the end of March. They're also regulars on DFW-MCI.

f18raider · Fri Feb 27, 2015 9:00 pm

I believe both MAF and LBB will receive MD80 service from DFW this summer.

DeltaMD95 · Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:51 pm

Quoting mke717spotter (Reply 2):

DFW/ORD-TUS is for the foreseeable future,

Amen for this! Fortunately, I have family in TUS which I visit yearly. I have been on more ORD-TUS-ORD S80 turns than any other route. A good 3.5 hours westbound usually.

Quoting TusDawg23 (Reply 13):
It's silly to me that ORD-TUS has been flown by the MD-80 for so long. Flight time is nearly 3 and a half hours westbound. I'm not sure why AA would put their most gas guzzling narrowbody on such a long route when they have A319's and 738's at their disposal. An A319 would be the best choice for this route while maybe substituting a 738 when demand is higher on the route during snowbird season.

As enthusiast, with all due respect, you are crazy to think this! For the rest of your career you'll have nothing but RJs, A32x, and 737s, (especially in TUS). Are you paying the gas prices?

Enjoy the final couple years of the MD80 t-tail while you can...

Quoting American 767 (Reply 3):
Some people replied telling me that EWR-ORD would see for the time being the MD-80 2x daily in both directions.

Confirmed. FWIW, a cousin of mine is visiting this summer and is booked on two AA MD80s, EWR-ORD-EWR.

Quoting 777stl (Reply 23):
The reality is it will probably end up being ORD-DFW, but oh well.

This would be without a doubt the most appropriate ending, given the history.

Quoting American 767 (Reply 21):
Quoting MD80Nut (Reply 20):
I read somewhere they will be gone sometime in 2018.

Correct. The last one is expected to leave in 2018,

Is it 2018? I have read 2017 in some reports. With so many paid-off/low-lease frames plus low fuel prices, it is dodgy to see how aggressive Doug Parker is pushing it.

Quoting American 767 (Reply 24):
Quoting 777stl (Reply 23):
the perfect last flight would be STL-DFW, paying homage to STL and TWA who contributed a large number of MD80s to the fleet, presumably including the aircraft operating that flight(I'm presuming the last MD80s will be mostly later build, ex-TW birds). If both stay as MD80 bases until the end, it would sort of make sense from an operational perspective as well.

I agree with you on that one. STL

I don't buy it. TW received less than 100 new-build MD80s directly from McDonnell Douglas. AA ordered and received 260. Nuff said.

alasizon · Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:23 pm

PHX-ORD is currently a mixture of M80s 738s and some 32Bs

steeler83 · Sat Feb 28, 2015 11:45 pm

Quoting Flaps (Reply 8):
May they remain in PIT until the very last flight. Best aircraft in the fleet.

That could be a possibility, especially if DFW is the last MD80 base to close.

Doesn't G4 fly the MD80 into PIT tho? I know they fly them into ABE. I know that -- because I was ON ONE 2 WEEKS AGO!!

727LOVER · Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:02 am

Last summer (2014), there were still more AA MD-80s @ DFW than DL MD-80s @ ATL

I think it was 269 vs 239

Will DL surpass AA this summer? Are the schedules out yet?

777STL · Sun Mar 01, 2015 1:07 am

Quoting DeltaMD95 (Reply 34):
I don't buy it. TW received less than 100 new-build MD80s directly from McDonnell Douglas. AA ordered and received 260. Nuff said.

The youngest native AA MD80 still operating was built in '92 and the oldest TW MD80 still operating was built in 1995. By my count, only a couple of those younger TW MD80s built in the late 90s have been retired. I think odds are probably better than not that the majority of the last surviving MD80s in AA's fleet will be ex-TW examples.

Interestingly, I flew one of the younger ex-TW examples just yesterday. They're easy to pick out with their Boeing build plates(built after the merger).

lightsaber · Sun Mar 01, 2015 2:30 am

Quoting American 767 (Reply 21):
In a year from now the MD-80 fleet will be down to less than 100 airplanes.

This has interesting implications on other MD-80 operators. When AA stopped buying spares, it rocked the vendors. When DL ordered their final order, it breathed final life into the vendor chain, but that supply chain has been dormant for a year. Oh, brakes, tires, and other wear items are still produced, but the 'semi-durable' goods aren't even being rebuilt (except for engines and landing gear). Vendors have put their last spares into double bags into the deepest darkest corners of their warehouses at multiples of their prior prices.

Post the DL order, vendors either had to be paid by Boeing or released to the next stage of the contract and Boeing opted to release vendors to the next stage of the contract. This is due to annual orders falling below contract minimums. (Either Boeing pays vendors to offer parts at agreed upon inflation adjusted prices or the parts prices go up to 'sustaining' prices.)

Lightsaber

DeltaMD95 · Sun Mar 01, 2015 4:15 am

Quoting 777stl (Reply 38):
The youngest native AA MD80 still operating was built in '92 and the oldest TW MD80 still operating was built in 1995.

FWIW, a month ago a family member of mine flew an ex-TW MD82 that was a 1987 build. I forget the reg, but IIRC it was a former BWIA bird.

Quoting 777stl (Reply 38):
Interestingly, I flew one of the younger ex-TW examples just yesterday. They're easy to pick out with their Boeing build plates(built after the merger).

They have Boeing build plates yet "McDonnell Douglas" emblems on the window shades. Those are not on the native AA frames, so clearly a request from TW. Guess we know they never considered them "Boeings."

Quoting lightsaber (Reply 39):
This has interesting implications on other MD-80 operators.

So how it is that aircraft such as DC7s are still being reactivated for service today? Or DC9s in developing countries? And F100s with the manufacturer long bankrupt? Obviously there is less parts support for these types than the MD80...

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