Delivery date of last MD-80

[ronaldl79]

I'm not sure why, but I seem to have a habit of reading the manufacturer's plate on the inner door to learn about the age of an airplane. Most American MD-80s I've been on ranged from 83-86. I recently learned that there are some MD-80s as young as 9 years of age.

If this is true, are these late-model planes more fuel efficient than earlier builds? Any upgrades to the cabin interior like that of the MD-93?

 

[lpbrian]

The last MD-80 delivered to AA was fleet #202 delivered 8/92. Some TWA MD-80's are newer, delivered until late 1999.

 

[ThirdSeatHero]

Last MD-80 built was in late 99' and delivered to TWA.

I think AA is still flying it.

 

[eolesen]

They're pretty much the same as far as fuel efficiency goes, regardless of build date.

AA had a mix of JT9D-217 and JT9D-219 engines up until a couple years ago, and there were some marked differences in efficiency between the older and newer engine types. They've since all been upgraded to the -219 engines, so fuel efficiency is equally crappy about the fleet.

 

[mga707]

Last MD-80 built was in late 99' and delivered to TWA.

I think AA is still flying it.

Correct. It is N984TW, delivered to TWA in December 1999.
The last 24 MD-80s were all delivered to TWA in 1999 and are still in the AA fleet. The registrations are N961TW through the aforementioned N984TW, with N9681B taking the place of N981TW and N9677W filling the N977TW slot.

 

[ronaldl79]

Thanks to everyone for the informative replies.

 

[Hopeful]

Seems to me that the MD-80's will be around for quite some time.

bizjournals.com
American Airlines taps Chromalloy to manufacture turbine blade
Friday March 9, 5:43 pm ET

Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp. and American Airlines have jointly developed a new line of turbine blades that will be used on the airline's fleet of MD80 aircraft.

American Airlines, a unit of Fort Worth-based AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR - News), owns more than 300 MD80 aircraft. The blades themselves will be installed on the JT8D-200 gas turbine engine. This is the single-largest, large commercial engine fleet in the world.

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Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

San Antonio-based Chromalloy secured Federal Aviation Administration design and manufacturing approval for all four stages of turbine blades. The blades themselves will be manufactured at Chromalloy's Carson City, Nev., facility.

Chromalloy is a subsidiary of Sequa Corp. (NYSE: SQAA - News) in New York. Chromalloy repairs and manufactures turbine components for aircraft and gas turbine engines. Sequa is a diversified manufacturer of components in aerospace, automotive, metal coating, specialty chemicals and industrial machinery.

American Airlines is the world's largest airline. The company offers flights to 250 cities in more than 40 countries.

Published March 9, 2007 by the San Antonio Business Journal

 

[chillers]

They're pretty much the same as far as fuel efficiency goes, regardless of build date.

AA had a mix of JT9D-217 and JT9D-219 engines up until a couple years ago, and there were some marked differences in efficiency between the older and newer engine types. They've since all been upgraded to the -219 engines, so fuel efficiency is equally crappy about the fleet.

The engines on the MD 80 are not JT9Ds, that is a high bypass engine. American and TWA used JT8D-217 and 219s.
It would be a little hard to get a 9D on that pylon 😉

 

[FWAAA]

Seems to me that the MD-80's will be around for quite some time.

I agree. But these blades appear to be a stopgap measure to keep them flying until the impending order of 737-800s arrives:

American Airlines will consider Boeing 737-800s to replace its fleet of 300 MD-80 jets and expects an announcement "in the near future," Chief Financial Officer Tom Horton said.

American, the world's largest carrier, would be able to get planes such as the 737-800 in 15 to 18 months, Horton told analysts at a conference hosted by the airline at its Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters.

An MD-80 replacement is vital because the jets burn at least 20 percent more jet fuel than new 737s, Horton said.

The airline also can't wait until next decade for a new generation of narrow-body planes before starting to retire the aging MD-80s, its most-numerous aircraft type, he said.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/busi...0933_amr10.html

Even if AA were to take delivery of three new 738s per month starting in 15 months from now, it would be 2017 before all 300 could be delivered. I doubt these blades are intended to stretch out that lifespan beyond that timetable.

Looks like Arpey and Horton are afflicted with New Shiny Jet Fever - a very expensive version of my chronic illness - New Car Fever.

 

[Ken MacTiernan]

I agree. But these blades appear to be a stopgap measure to keep them flying until the impending order of 737-800s arrives:


SAN is gearing up for a possible engine wash for the MD-80. There are a few questions about the water quality, ect. but it seems as if it will be a go. This wash is suppose to increase fuel performance. It MIGHT even mean recalling an AMT or two. I hope so.

 

[TheWatcher]

I love the MD80 and i will be sad to see her go 🙁

 

[AC AA LA FA]

I love the MD80 and i will be sad to see her go 🙁

....hua? :blink:

 

[BuffaloJoe]

I love the MD80 and i will be sad to see her go 🙁

Where are they Going?

 

[nbmcg01]

Where are they Going?

Hopefully to the desert...They are uncomfortable and awful to work.

 

[eolesen]

The engines on the MD 80 are not JT9Ds, that is a high bypass engine. American and TWA used JT8D-217 and 219s.
It would be a little hard to get a 9D on that pylon 😉

Duh... Thx for the correction.