The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engine, short- to medium-range narrow-body jetliner, and the foundational aircraft for the entire DC-9/MD-80/MD-90/Boeing 717 family. First flown in the early 1960s, the DC-9 became a workhorse of regional and domestic routes and left an enormous legacy in commercial aviation.

✈️ Overview:

• Role: Short- to medium-haul airliner
• Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company (later McDonnell Douglas)
• First flight: February 25, 1965
• Introduced: December 8, 1965 (Delta Air Lines)
• Production ended: 1982
• Total built: 976 aircraft

🛠️ Key Specs (DC-9-30 variant – most produced):

• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 or -15 turbofans (rear-mounted)
• Cruise speed: ~504 mph / 811 km/h (Mach 0.76)
• Range: ~1,300–2,300 nautical miles (depending on variant and load)
• Passenger capacity: 90–115 passengers
• Crew: 2 pilots + 2–3 cabin crew
• Length: 36.4 m (119 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 28.4 m (93 ft 5 in)

🔍 Design Features:

• T-tail and rear-mounted engines – Reduced cabin noise and allowed operations at airports with minimal infrastructure
• Five-abreast seating (2+3) – Comfortable for narrow-body standards
• Low-mounted wings – Simple and rugged landing gear setup
• Built-in airstairs – Could board passengers without external equipment
• Unpressurized cargo hold

🛫 Variants: