McDonnell Douglas MD-81

The early MD-80 series jet built for high-frequency short-haul service.

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SAS Scandinavian Airlines – McDonnell Douglas MD-81 ‘SE-DIR’ – © EK056

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Overview

McDonnell Douglas United States ICAO: MD81 1979–1994 $50 million

The McDonnell Douglas MD-81 is a member of the MD-80 family developed as a successor to the DC-9. Designed for short and medium-haul routes, it entered service in the 1980s. The aircraft became a staple of high-frequency airline operations.

Live Fleet Activity (MD81)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt And Whitney P&W JT8D-219
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 18,500 lbf · 82 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
172 economy · 155 business
Crew
—
Cabin width
9 ft 11 in  ·  3.03 m
Cabin height
6 ft 8 in  ·  2.04 m
Cabin length
100 ft 5 in  ·  30.60 m
Exterior length
147 ft 8 in  ·  45.02 m
Tail height
29 ft 7 in  ·  9.02 m
Fuselage diameter
11 ft 0 in  ·  3.35 m
Wing span
107 ft 7 in  ·  32.80 m
Baggage volume
1,254 ft³  ·  35.5 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
140,000 lb  ·  63,500 kg
Max landing weight
128,000 lb  ·  58,000 kg
Max payload
40,100 lb  ·  18,200 kg
Fuel capacity
5,850 gal · 22,100 L · 17,700 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
480 kt  ·  552 mph  ·  889 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
125 kt  ·  144 mph  ·  232 km/h
Range
1,800 nm  ·  2,070 mi  ·  3,330 km
Fuel burn
0.36 nm/gal  ·  0.18 km/L
Ceiling
37,000 ft  ·  11,300 m
Rate of climb
3,000 ft/min  ·  15 m/s
Takeoff distance
7,450 ft  ·  2,270 m
Landing distance
4,900 ft  ·  1,500 m
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Orient Thai Airlines – McDonnell Douglas MD-81 ‘HS-MDI’

Live fleet activity details

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Operational Context

McDonnell Douglas MD-81 — short to medium-haul narrow-body jet

The MD-81 first flew in 1980 and entered airline service shortly thereafter. It was an extended and modernized development of the DC-9, featuring improved aerodynamics and updated engines. The aircraft retained the rear-mounted twin-engine layout and T-tail configuration.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 series turbofan engines producing approximately 20,000 pounds of thrust (89 kN) each, the MD-81 cruises at about 455 knots (840 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight is roughly 140,000 pounds (63,500 kg). Seating typically ranges from 130 to 155 passengers.

The MD-81 and its sister variants were widely adopted by airlines in North America and Europe. Their reliability and performance supported decades of service. The MD-80 family remains an important part of narrow-body jet history.