I have read on here that yes they will, then read on another post that they aren't going to. Does anybody that have the correct answer on this topic? I love their MD-80s in the chrome, they look so sleek but i'd love to see a few in the new scheme. I know they're retiring them within 2 years or so, but UA painted almost all of their PW powered 757's in the new scheme before selling them to FedEx. Another thing, they paid to add wifi to them when they knew they were going to be phased out. Personally it wouldn't surprise me if they did. I'd just like to hear what somebody that has the correct answer has to say on the matter.

AA's official answer is that because all MD-80s will be out of the fleet by the end of 2017, none will be painted in the new livery. 738s and A321s are being added so fast now, plus the aircraft from the L-US side as well, that AA can realistically do this in about 30 months.

As for Wi-Fi: AA added Wi-Fi to the MD-80 fleet before Parker, when it was thought that they would stay until 2019 or longer.

[Edited 2015-05-18 19:27:10]

The plan right now is to not repaint them, as it wont be worth the costs since they're scheduled to be retired soon. AA is taking up a lot of aircraft, so I find it unlikely that they would postpone the retirement of their MD80s.

Since the introduction of the DC-2 in 1934 until the introduction of the new livery, American has had the polished aluminum finish on every aircraft ever operated (exception: the A300s were delivered in light grey and were stripped and polished years later.) I think it's fitting a Douglas/MDC product began and ended the 80 plus year history of one of the most iconic looks in the industry.

The plan is not to repaint them as they will all be gone by 2019, IIRC.


But one can only dream

they should do at least one.

Quoting Miami (Reply 4): But one can only dream

Quoting doulasc (Reply 5): they should do at least one.

Why would AA waste money and time on a paint job that won't last more than two years?

Personally can't wait for these birds to be out of the fleet.

This is the new NW DC9 Retirement thread.

Are these in as good of shape on the inside as Deltas 88s? I believe these aircraft still have galley units installed at door 2L?

Quoting Miami (Reply 4): The plan is not to repaint them as they will all be gone by 2019, IIRC.

Its actually 2017.

Quoting flyboy80 (Reply 8): Are these in as good of shape on the inside as Deltas 88s?

No; they don't have the new sidewalls and bins that the Delta aircraft do. The seats are in about the same shape in both fleets.

I was on two ex-TWA birds on Saturday, and the interiors were in great shape. I enjoyed my flights on them.

Bob Bradley

My vote is to do the newest three, N982TW, N983TW and N984TW, in the previous livery, restored, the TWA last livery and American New Livery, respectively  

All for the museum 

They have to save at least N984TW. That's the last MD-80 built.

Quoting Miami (Reply 4): But one can only dream

I actually don't like that as much as the chrome. I think classic liveries look best on classic planes, but hey, it'd be interesting to see.

So between now and 2017 no MD-80 will have a heavy check?   

Quoting infiniti329 (Reply 14): So between now and 2017 no MD-80 will have a heavy check?

They will probably be retired as they come due for a heavy check.

Quoting deltaflyertoo (Reply 9): Its actually 2017.

Retirement starts 2017. All gone by 2019.

Quoting united319 (Thread starter): I have read on here that yes they will, then read on another post that they aren't going to.

Since no one here can read every thread that comes along, I must have missed any thread about them painting M80's. I have always heard on here that there was no chance the M80's were being repainted or retirements extended.

Quoting FWAERJ (Reply 1): AA's official answer is that because all MD-80s will be out of the fleet by the end of 2017, none will be painted in the new livery.

I wasn't sure of th final retirement palns of the M80s, although I know they have been leaving the fleet already, I'v seen the frames in the desert in pictures here on A.net plus I thought I've read in threads here that they are disappearing off routes & being replaced with 738's like our DFW-PDX flight changes from all M80 to 738 June 4th.

Quoting FWAERJ (Reply 1): As for Wi-Fi: AA added Wi-Fi to the MD-80 fleet before Parker, when it was thought that they would stay until 2019 or longer.

I still don't see why AA doesn't keep the latter built ex TW birds for a few years longer. They likely have many cycles & miles left on them. They can be dropped if fuel spikes again, but for 1-2 hour routes from DFW they are great. I can't say I'm going to miss a Y experience on them PDX-ORD/DFW.

Quoting Miami (Reply 4): The plan is not to repaint them as they will all be gone by 2019, IIRC.

Quoting xjramper (Reply 6): Personally can't wait for these birds to be out of the fleet

Have you flown first on an M80? When you take off, you really don't hear engines at all, it's odd you just feel the momentum & it's one of my favorite planes to fly F in & honestly in Y, if you're traveling with just one other person the seating in Y is awesome, if you;re on the 2 side., I love the DC-9's so much I've flown 7 different series of the it.

Quoting jmc1975 (Reply 7): This is the new NW DC9 Retirement thread.

And of course DL will be the last with they're in their fleet here in the US. Douglas made a real solid plane for sure.

Quoting flyboy80 (Reply 8): Are these in as good of shape on the inside as Deltas 88s?

Quoting L1011 (Reply 11): I was on two ex-TWA birds on Saturday, and the interiors were in great shape. I enjoyed my flights on them.

Are these the Ex TW birds that were flying routes like PDX-ANC for TW? IIRC, there were a couple at the end of the TW order that came more equipped for overwater flying & had potential fuel capacity increase for heavy mail & cargo.
This was according to my best friend who worked for TW at the PDX airport until near the end & worked the flight at the gate.

Quoting Boeing778X (Reply 12): My vote is to do the newest three, N982TW, N983TW and N984TW, in the previous livery, restored, the TWA last livery and American New Livery, respectively

I still think AA could make use of the latest bulid M80s for 5 more years for short & medium haul routes from DFW, ala DL. I think AA owns these birds don't they? They can be used on Mid West routes & if fuel jumps too high, they can park them whenever they want to or relegate them to DFW-AUS/SAT/IAH/MSY/OKC routes if they want to squeeze the life out of them, allowing AA to free up some of their newer birds to build up at LAX further for more domestic.

Quoting infiniti329 (Reply 14): So between now and 2017 no MD-80 will have a heavy check?

I couldn't see AA going through the expense of a D check for something they are keeping for less than 4 years.

Quoting Miami (Reply 16): Retirement starts 2017. All gone by 2019.

I was sure that AA had been parking M80s in the desert for a while now, I could have sworn I saw a whole line of them in some boneyard pictures I'd seen here on A.net. Must be the first ones off the line back in the early 80's.

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 17): I was sure that AA had been parking M80s in the desert for a while now, I could have sworn I saw a whole line of them in some boneyard pictures I'd seen here on A.net. Must be the first ones off the line back in the early 80's

You may be right. I just repeated what someone that works with AA told me.

Some people say 2017. Others say 2019.

Cheers.

Quoting Miami (Reply 18): You may be right. I just repeated what someone that works with AA told me. Some people say 2017. Others say 2019.

You may be right as well, I'm taking my info off these threads & also the observations that the M80s are dropping off routes leIt & right. We say goodbye to AA's M80s June 4th when our 4 DFW flights all switch to 738's that day.

Quoting Miami (Reply 18):

AA has been retiring the MD-80s for years now at a rate of several per a month. 43 are leaving this year per their 2015 fleet plans which will bring the fleet down to less than 100 from their peak of over 300. Retirement is expected in 2017. I believe 2019 was the old plan but it was shifted up with the merger.

Quoting xjramper (Reply 6): Personally can't wait for these birds to be out of the fleet.

I will miss them as I enjoy the two seating... if I have an AA flight and I see an A319 scheduled, I quickly look to swtich to an S80!

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 17): I still don't see why AA doesn't keep the latter built ex TW birds for a few years longer.

Some of the newest MD-80s from TWA are younger than the first batch of 738s AA got... although still not as fuel efficient.

Quoting polot (Reply 20): 43 are leaving this year per their 2015 fleet plans which will bring the fleet down to less than 100

I believe they are down to 115 or so now. Its strange to go spotting now here in DFW - for years you might see a constant parade of S80s... now it can be a constant parade of 737s.

When you consider NW had some DC-9s flying well past their 40th birthday (I flew a 43 year old frame) and the fact that the AA DC-9-80s are being retired merely for fuel efficiency rather than anything else, I would make the (obvious) suggestion that the DC-9 may well be the most reliable, overbuilt, sturdy commercial jet ever produced.

I thought I read somewhere that MD80s will be out of the fleet by end of 2018.

Also there's no way they could repaint the whole fleet before retirement, so why bother?

The one place they are "repainted" is American Way magazine.

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 17): Have you flown first on an M80? When you take off, you really don't hear engines at all, it's odd you just feel the momentum & it's one of my favorite planes to fly F in & honestly in Y, if you're traveling with just one other person the seating in Y is awesome, if you;re on the 2 side., I love the DC-9's so much I've flown 7 different series of the it.

   I love the big silent push in the back!

I will miss the Mad Dog. It is a pleasure to work in F/C. The galley is hidden from view and there is plenty of counter space. It is a very quiet plane. On takeoff, in the front, you cannot hear the engines.. On the other hand, sitting on the back jumpseat, during reverse thrust, has contributed to some hearing loss over the years. Now we just cover our ears  

Quoting polot (Reply 20): AA has been retiring the MD-80s for years now at a rate of several per a month. 43 are leaving this year per their 2015 fleet plans which will bring the fleet down to less than 100 from their peak of over 300. Retirement is expected in 2017. I believe 2019 was the old plan but it was shifted up with the merger.

Thanks for the updated info Polot, I also thought they were going away at a rapid pace as well. Wow less than 100 left, I'm sure many of the MD's I've flown are baking in the desert already.

Good riddance! Should have been gone sooner!

Quoting doulasc (Reply 5):

Any idea what painting various aircraft costs ? Something i never thought of but now am curious. Thanks to all

I'm so sorry to see the Mad Dogs go but that's life. They will join a long list of planes I was sad to see go, the DC-8, 707, 727, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I like the A320s and 737NGs of today, but the MD80 is a reminder of when jets from different manufacturers actually looked different.

Cheers, Ralph

The last time I saw fleet projections, there were MD-80s in the fleet at the start of 2018, but none at the start of 2019. So, the last MD-80s will be retired in 2018.

I would assume that if oil spikes, retirement dates will be moved up. If oil remains low (yesterday, Goldman Sachs was calling for oil to be between $60 and $70 a barrel in 2020), new deliveries could be slowed while MD-80s keep flying shorter routes for another year or two. That's assuming that that planes have cycles remaining before a heavy check. Keeping the MD-80s, assuming oil stays cheap, certainly slows up capital expenditures for aircraft purchases.

Now, I would have thought that back in 2013, AA would have scheduled some of the newer MD-80s for painting.

A plane that flies with bare metal needs to have its skin inspected more frequently than a painted plane. Then there is the cost of polishing a bare metal aircraft. So, a bare metal aircraft requires more maintenance over a period of several years, when compared to a painted aircraft.

Now, is 4 or 5 years enough time that it becomes cost effective to paint an airplane? I don't know.

We also know that painting an airplane adds several hundred pounds of weight to an aircraft. Since the MD-80 is the least economical type in the fleet, perhaps the need for several hundred pounds of extra payload, in order to make flying more profitable, was the deciding factor.

I know that back in the late 90s, when AA did the major refurbishments of the MD-80 cabins, management looked at possibly adding audio-only IFE. The planes were still flying longer routes, like DFW-SEA, ORD-SFO, and ORD-TPA. Installing the necessary equipment and wiring would have added a fair amount of weight, hurting either range or payload.

So, even on a shorter flight now, like ORD-STL or DFW-OAH, the plane will burn extra fuel to move the weight of the paint. I'm sure that finance people have crunched numbers calculating the cost of paint, the cost of maintaining bare metal skins, and the cost of flying airplanes whose empty weight would increase with paint jobs.

Still, it would have been interesting to put the last 3 TWA MD-80s in the last TWA livery, the next-to-last TWA livery, and the new AA livery.

Quoting xjramper (Reply 6): Why would AA waste money and time on a paint job that won't last more than two years?

I can think of many examples of revitalizing things that won't be in use much longer, especially in this industry. Because it has happened, and at lengths much shorter than 2 years, at that.

-LPDAL

Quoting PRAirbus (Reply 26): Good riddance! Should have been gone sooner!

The fact that something is old is no reason to get rid of it. Yes, the MD-80 was a lousy plane to fly long-haul, back before laptops, smartphones, MP3 players, and tablets. Entertainment meant bringing the old Sony Walkman and several CDs or newspapers, magazines, and books.

But, back before my wife and I had a family, an MD-80 meant that one of us had an aisle seat, and the other had the window. With a 757 or 738, then we had to decide whether someone had to sit in the middle, or risking reserving window and aisle and hoping that the plane wasn't full.

And as others have said, sitting in F or ahead of the wing in coach meant a relatively quiet flight.

It's only been in the last few years that I've been on MD-80s that had delays due to MX issues. I've been on 777s, when the oldest plane in the fleet was only 10 years old, that wound up with multiple maintenance issues.

Quoting ckfred (Reply 29): I know that back in the late 90s, when AA did the major refurbishments of the MD-80 cabins, management looked at possibly adding audio-only IFE.

It is interesting that you say that. Years ago, and i don't remember when, it seems like it was in the late 80's, they began installing a key pad over the forward jumpseat. They were going through a phase which was to eliminate the f/a's butchering the announcements. Swear to god, during connecting gate info, one guy pronounced "DEZ MOINEZ, MINNYPOLES, WACKO, and INDIANPOLZ". The keypad was supposed to allow you to push a button and the announcements would be made automatically. I'm not sure if they equipped the entire fleet with them, but they were never activated. What a waste of money!

Quoting Miami (Reply 4): The plan is not to repaint them as they will all be gone by 2019, IIRC.

Quoting deltaflyertoo (Reply 9): Its actually 2017.

Quoting Miami (Reply 16): Retirement starts 2017. All gone by 2019.

Quoting Miami (Reply 18): Some people say 2017. Others say 2019.

Quoting polot (Reply 20): Retirement is expected in 2017. I believe 2019 was the old plan but it was shifted up with the merger.

Quoting rta (Reply 22): I thought I read somewhere that MD80s will be out of the fleet by end of 2018.

  

Quoting ckfred (Reply 29): The last time I saw fleet projections, there were MD-80s in the fleet at the start of 2018, but none at the start of 2019. So, the last MD-80s will be retired in 2018.

That's my understanding as well...34 at year-end 2017...0 at year end 2018  

Quoting PRAirbus (Reply 26): Good riddance! Should have been gone sooner!

Why does every AA MD-80 thread have to have this crap????!!!  

Quoting LPDAL (Reply 30): Because it has happened, and at lengths much shorter than 2 years, at that.

Yep.

View Large View Medium

Photo © Michael F. McLaughlin

So is AA scrapping their S80's as soon as they land in ROW,
or is Delta buying up frames with life left in them?

Quoting Sooner787 (Reply 34): is Delta buying up frames with life left in them?

If so, I would only imagine for spares

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 19): You may be right as well, I'm taking my info off these threads & also the observations that the M80s are dropping off routes leIt & right. We say goodbye to AA's M80s June 4th when our 4 DFW flights all switch to 738's that day.

Never fear, SAN lost its MD-80's but in the summer, were getting them back. Also take note that from a spotters or enthusiasts POV, it sucks, but for the airline, airport, and pax, its a more welcome upgauge, as well as better economically

How many F rows are there? I thought there were only 4, but aa.com shows 5. Is there more than one configuration?

http://www.aa.com/i18n/aboutUs/ourPlanes/boeingMD80.jsp

EDIT: I just noticed on the same webpage it shows four rows on the seat map, but at least five rows in the picture. IIRC at one time they may have had a larger F cabin on some M80s. Or then I thought the picture was a 757 First cabin instead, but then realized the F seats are too wide to be a 757 (don't the newer non-leather 757 F seats have the narrow ones like the 738 and 319?)

[Edited 2015-05-19 13:52:58]

Where are the retired frames going and how many are currently in the fleet as of today? Does anyone have any hard numbers? Thanks!

Quoting Miami (Reply 4): The plan is not to repaint them as they will all be gone by 2019, IIRC. But one can only dream

Love the rendering, thanks for sharing!

Quoting fallguy (Reply 27): Any idea what painting various aircraft costs ? Something i never thought of but now am curious.

This article is 5 years old (2010) but it mentions $28,000 to $150,000 (near the bottom of the article) depending on aircraft size. No doubt somewhat higher now.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/busi...viation-services-speedy-rebranding

why do some people dislike the MD-80

Quoting Sooner787 (Reply 34): So is AA scrapping their S80's as soon as they land in ROW, or is Delta buying up frames with life left in them?

This is only my opinion. Most of the MD-80s that AA retires will never fly again. There is no rush to scrap these aircraft as they would be a good parts source for any airline needing parts for a MD-80. Any MD-80s that Delta buys would be for parts only, like those they have already bought from American Airlines. When Delta starts retiring their MD-80s, they will use them as a feed stock for parts for their remaining MD-80s. Delta may get another ten years out of some of their MD-80s.   

As noted above, no aircraft to be painted. Retirement in 2018; most likely following the busy summer season.

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 17): I still don't see why AA doesn't keep the latter built ex TW birds for a few years longer. They likely have many cycles & miles left on them. They can be dropped if fuel spikes again, but for 1-2 hour routes from DFW they are great.

   Agreed. Some of them are on dirt cheap lease until 2024 - the annual cost is 1/7 that of a monthly 738 lease - and have about 90k cycles remaining. Yes, you read right.   

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 17): IIRC, there were a couple at the end of the TW order that came more equipped for overwater flying & had potential fuel capacity increase for heavy mail & cargo.

I think you're correct; I believe TW did equip a few for over-water operations.

What I can say for sure is the final 39 TW MD-83s (YOM 1997-99) were built to full MD-88 spec, plus the aux tank of the MD-83s. They are in essence "MD-88ERs." These aircraft will find other homes.

Quoting gdg9 (Reply 21): When you consider NW had some DC-9s flying well past their 40th birthday (I flew a 43 year old frame) and the fact that the AA DC-9-80s are being retired merely for fuel efficiency rather than anything else, I would make the (obvious) suggestion that the DC-9 may well be the most reliable, overbuilt, sturdy commercial jet ever produced.

   No question. Specifically, I would give the nod to the MD-80/90 because of the 110k/150k FC/FH limits.

Quoting TrijetsRMissed (Reply 43): What I can say for sure is the final 39 TW MD-83s (YOM 1997-99) were built to full MD-88 spec, plus the aux tank of the MD-83s. They are in essence "MD-88ERs." These aircraft will find other homes.

N984TW should be the frame kept by AA, regardless of what happens to the others.

Quoting Sooner787 (Reply 34): So is AA scrapping their S80's as soon as they land in ROW, or is Delta buying up frames with life left in them?

DL is having a field day cherry picking parts off of AA owned MD-82s. This is adding years to their MD-88 parts inventory.

The younger AA MD-83s are leased. To date, the few retirements have been preserved by the leasing companies. There is still demand for these aircraft.

Quoting NWAROOSTER (Reply 42): Most of the MD-80s that AA retires will never fly again.

That's true; percentage wise most will not fly again. But you may be surprised to learn that approx. 40 aircraft have found a new life with an active operator. Even some in North America.

Quoting NWAROOSTER (Reply 42): When Delta starts retiring their MD-80s, they will use them as a feed stock for parts for their remaining MD-80s. Delta may get another ten years out of some of their MD-80s.

   Been saying it all along.  

Quoting infiniti329 (Reply 14): So between now and 2017 no MD-80 will have a heavy check?

even if they do that doesn't mean they need to be painted.

At Delta, for example, paint and HMV/overhauls don't line up.

but even if they did line up, chance are AA will is going to be busy painting the airplanes that are sticking around for a while. No need to waste a paint bay with an M80. Also no need to pay the costs to have the paint designed for the M80.

Quoting BreninTW (Reply 15): They will probably be retired as they come due for a heavy check.

more than likely.

Quoting TrijetsRMissed (Reply 45): Been saying it all along.

check your PM when you get a chance  

Quoting Boeing778X (Reply 44): N984TW should be the frame kept by AA, regardless of what happens to the others.

Ship 203 (the first S80 registered) or ship 218 (the first delivered) should have been saved by AA long ago...

Quoting TrijetsRMissed (Reply 47): Ship 203 (the first S80 registered) or ship 218 (the first delivered) should have been saved by AA long ago...

correct me if i am wrong but the ship Boeing778X is talking about was kind of like Ship 102 for Delta. The employees paid for it no?

Quoting Deltal1011man (Reply 48): correct me if i am wrong but the ship Boeing778X is talking about was kind of like Ship 102 for Delta. The employees paid for it no?

Close. N984TW was the last MD-80 ever built.

You're thinking of N948TW, the "Wings of Pride" MD-83 that was acquired second-hand in 1988. It was retired by AA last year and has been preserved by the Tristar History & Preservation Org.

View Large View Medium Photo © Bevin Shively

View Large View Medium Photo © Ben Wang

It wore the reverse red/white colors for several years, which Tristar is restoring it to.

http://tristarhistory.org/wings-pride-paint-shop/