McDonnell Douglas MD-80

The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a series of five-abreast, single-aisle jet airliners, the second generation of the DC-9 family. It was launched in October 1977 with a stretched, enlarged wing and higher bypass Pratt and Whitney JT8D-200 engines, and was first sold as the DC-9 Super 80 before the MD-80 name was adopted in 1983. The MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87 and MD-88 variants carried roughly 130 to 155 passengers on short and medium routes, competing with the Boeing 737 Classic and later the Airbus A320. The type first flew in October 1979 and entered service with Swissair in October 1980. Production ended in 1999 after 1,191 had been delivered, making it the company's most successful airliner.