What a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 costs, how far it flies, and what it costs to keep
PlaneFox tracks 1 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
How far can a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 fly?
A McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 flies about 2,050 nm, roughly 3,797 km, which is about 4 h 35 min in still air at typical cruise.
More questions about the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80
How much does a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 cost?
What is the price range for a used McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80?
How many McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 aircraft are for sale right now?
Where can I find a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 for sale?
What should I check when buying a used McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80?
About the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80
Aircraft overview
The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 family is a rear engined, T tail, twinjet narrowbody designed for short and medium haul airline service. The DC-9 first flew in 1965 and was produced from the mid 1960s into 1982. The stretched and re engined MD-80 series first flew in 1979 and was produced from 1980 to 1999. The type matters because it defined a durable, simple, high cycle regional and domestic jet platform, with many airframes built for intensive scheduled operations.
Performance & specifications
Performance varies materially by variant. Typical cruise is about 430 to 460 knots, generally around Mach 0.76 to Mach 0.80. Practical range spans roughly 1,000 to more than 2,500 nautical miles, from early DC-9 short body models to long range MD-83 configurations. Certified ceilings are typically in the 35,000 to 37,000 ft class. Payload capability also depends on model and interior, with the DC-9 serving lower capacity routes and the MD-80 offering substantially higher passenger and baggage payload. Power comes from Pratt & Whitney JT8D low bypass turbofans, with the MD-80 using the later JT8D-200 series.
Cabin & avionics
Cabin layouts are airline specific. DC-9 variants commonly seat about 80 to 125 passengers, while MD-80 aircraft typically seat about 130 to 172 passengers in high density layouts. The fuselage cross section is a five abreast economy cabin, usually 2 by 3, with forward passenger entry and aft mounted engines that reduce wing noise but concentrate engine sound toward the rear cabin.
Avionics are not comparable to modern Garmin Perspective or G1000 equipped aircraft. DC-9 flight decks were originally analog. MD-80 aircraft introduced more advanced autopilot, navigation and flight director systems, with later MD-88 examples featuring electronic flight instrument displays. Many surviving aircraft have retrofit FMS, GPS, ADS-B, TCAS, EGPWS and RVSM related equipment depending on operating history.
Buying & value
Used market evaluation should focus on airframe cycles, corrosion, structural inspection status, landing gear life, JT8D engine condition, parts availability and records quality. Noise compliance, emissions rules and airport restrictions are central to operating economics. Common variants include DC-9-15, DC-9-30, DC-9-50, MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87 and MD-88. In today’s market, the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 / MD-80 is generally positioned as an older specialty asset for operators with type expertise, spares access and a defined mission, rather than a mainstream replacement for newer narrowbody jets.