The McDonnell Douglas MD-90 is an updated derivative of the popular MD-80 aircraft, powered by more efficient IAE V2500 engines. Two versions were produced, one which could fly 3,787km and an extended range model going as far as 4,547km.
First flight took place on 22 February 1993, with the jet entering service with Delta Air Lines on 2 April 1995. Manufactured in Long Beach, California, the MD-90 typically seats 153 to 172 passengers.
McDonnell Douglas MD-90 Video
Following on from the last video about the Soviet Yakovlev Yak-40, this week we return stateside for a look at the McDonnell Douglas MD-90. This promotional video, running for about 8 minutes, hails from 1994 and was put together by the manufacturer.
There are some interesting scenes in the beginning in the cabin. Flight attendants can control zones, there appears to be an automatic curtain to close off first class, and passengers can apparently stow the overhead video screens themselves.
Apart from this, most of the video is footage of the MD-90 flying around, taking off or landing. It’s really nice footage, but I do wonder how much use this is from a marketing perspective. The soundtrack is particularly cheesy too.
Just 116 aircraft were produced from 1993 until production ended in 2000. Despite the efficiency gained by the new high bypass turbofan engines, it just didn’t catch on with customers.
Overall Thoughts
You can still fly on the McDonnell Douglas MD-90 today, with launch customer Delta Air Lines. They are the launch customer and the last airline using these aircraft. Retirement is expected to occur by 2022 so you had better get on one sooner rather than later if you want to try it.
Have you flown on board the MD-90 before? What is it like on board? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Cory W. Watts, Madison, Wisconsin via Wikimedia Commons.
At the risk of losing any avgeek street cred, I always considered the MD80/88/90 to just be subsets of the DC-9. What’s the difference between them?
You’re right to an extent. The MD-80 is an updated DC-9, a bit like how the 737-300, -400, -500 were to the original Boeing 737 (though that did involve a re-engine!). The MD-90 was a complete re-engine of the MD-80 with modern high bypass turbofan engines, similar to the Airbus A320 becoming the Airbus A320neo really. MD were always a bit behind the curve in some ways.
Flew the 90 quite a few times on DL. Even as recently as 2 or 3 years ago almost all DL flights between STL (my home airport) and ATL were on the MD90 or MD88. Almost all Airbus now. The things I like most about them are the 2×3 seating and the fact that a slight majority of seats are ahead of the wing, allowing for great view out of the windows. I’ll really miss the MDs when they’re gone.
It’s great that Delta has purchased the Airbus A220 (the former Bombardier C Series) as that also has the 2×3 seating, with the added bonus of the middle seat in the three side being wider than the other seats. I think it is an excellent aircraft. It will be the end of an era with all the MDs are gone, I agree with you there!
Nice post! I’ve flown on the MD-90 with Delta before. The experience was difficult to differentiate from the MD-80 series, with the exception that the high bypass turbofans are noticeably quieter for those sitting toward the rear of the aircraft. I love the dumbo/Mickey ears look of the 90 when looking head/on at the nose. You can definitely see the increased engine fan diameter.
Makes sense that it would be quieter in back… I remember flying on a Fokker F-28 once with a seat by the engines and it was extremely loud! Oh yeah, I’ve seen a couple of head on shots like that. Thanks for the reminder! It is a good look. Thanks for the comment!