IATA M87ICAO MD87

McDonnell Douglas MD-87

McDonnell Douglas

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Shrunk DC-9 variant optimized for medium-haul routes.

First flight

1986

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

109–130 passengers

Range

5,185 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217 or -219 turbofans, rear-mounted

Status

In service

The McDonnell Douglas MD-87 is a shortened derivative of the MD-80 series, itself a stretched development of the DC-9. Seating fewer passengers than its MD-80 siblings, the MD-87 was designed to serve thinner routes with greater efficiency, featuring a longer range than earlier MD-80 variants. The aircraft retains the rear-mounted twin-engine configuration and T-tail design characteristic of the DC-9/MD-80 family. It entered service in 1987 and found operators primarily among European and American carriers seeking a versatile narrow-body jet. Production of the MD-87 was relatively limited compared to other MD-80 variants, with fewer than 75 aircraft built. The type has largely been retired from major airline fleets, though some examples continue to operate with smaller carriers and charter operators.

Notable operators

Iberia, SAS, Finnair, and Aeromexico were among the primary operators of the MD-87.

Notable facts

›The MD-87 is the shortest member of the MD-80 family, shorter even than the original DC-9-50.
›Fewer than 75 MD-87s were built, making it one of the least-produced MD-80 variants.
›It introduced an optional HUD (Head-Up Display) system, an advanced feature for a commercial narrowbody at the time.
›The type entered airline service in 1987 with Austrian Airlines and Iberia.
›Its extended range compared to other MD-80 variants made it attractive for thinner transatlantic routes.

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 McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a series of five-abreast single-aisle airliners developed by McDonnell Douglas. It was produced by the developer company until August 1997 and then by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The MD-80 was the second generation of the DC-9 family, originally designated as the DC-9-80 and later stylized as the DC-9 Super 80 . With a stretched, enlarged wing and powered by higher bypass Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 engines, the aircraft program was launched in October 1977. The MD-80 made its first flight on October 18, 1979, and was certified on August 25, 1980. The first airliner was delivered to launch customer Swissair on September 13, 1980, which introduced it into service on October 10, 1980.

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