American Airlines retires MD-80
The end of an era has been reached for American Airlines’ ‘Super 80’ planes.
The final commercial flight of the iconic McDonnell Douglas MD-80 touched down at Chicago O’Hare.
It was the last plane to sport American’s old livery that dates back to the 1960s.
At one point American operated more than 300 of the planes since taking delivery of the first in 1983.
American says it operated about one-third of all the MD-80s produced.
The plane, affectionately known as Mad Dog, will head to the aircraft boneyard in Roswell, New Mexico along with its other remaining MD-80s.
It is perhaps long overdue after American’s major modernization program to reduce the average age of its fleet and operate more efficiently.
"Since 2013, American has invested more than $28 billion in its product and people and now flies the youngest fleet among US network carriers," the airline said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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