IATA D8LICAO DC86

Douglas DC-8-62

Douglas

TravelerPulse profile

Long-range stretched DC-8 optimized for intercontinental routes.

First flight

1966

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

149–189 passengers

Range

10,185 km

Engines

Four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B turbofans (or CFM56-2 on re-engined -62CF variants)

Status

Retired

The Douglas DC-8-62 was a specialized long-range variant of the DC-8 family, introduced in the late 1960s. It featured a modest fuselage stretch of approximately 2.03 meters compared to the DC-8-61, along with redesigned wing leading edges, extended wingtips, and new engine pylons set further forward to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency significantly. The -62 was optimized for very long nonstop routes, offering exceptional range that allowed carriers to operate thin but lucrative long-haul markets without payload penalties. It could carry around 189 passengers in a typical configuration across distances exceeding 10,000 km. The DC-8-62 was later re-engined with CFM56 turbofans under the DC-8 Super 70 series program, extending the type's operational life well into the 1990s and early 2000s. Many aircraft served in cargo roles after retirement from passenger service.

Notable operators

Major operators included SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Japan Air Lines, Swissair, and United Air Lines.

Notable facts

›The DC-8-62 held the record for the world's longest nonstop commercial flight when it entered service.
›Its aerodynamic refinements gave it roughly 14% better fuel efficiency than earlier DC-8 variants.
›Wingtips were extended by 0.91 m on each side to improve lift-to-drag ratio.
›Many DC-8-62s were converted to freighters, where they continued operating decades after passenger retirement.
›Only 51 DC-8-62s were built, making it the rarest sub-variant of the DC-8-60 series.

Read more on Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.

Encyclopaedia

The Douglas DC-8 is an early long-range narrow-body jetliner designed and produced by the American Douglas Aircraft Company. Work began in 1952 toward the United States Air Force's (USAF) requirement for a jet-powered aerial refueling tanker. After losing the USAF's tanker competition to the rival Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in May 1954, Douglas announced in June 1955 its derived jetliner project marketed to civil operators. In October 1955, Pan Am made the first order along with the competing Boeing 707, and many other airlines soon followed. The first DC-8 was rolled out in Long Beach Airport on April 9, 1958, and flew for the first time on May 30. Following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in August 1959, the DC-8 entered service with Delta Air Lines on September 18.

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