McDonnell Douglas MD-90

The stretched twinjet built as the final evolution of the DC-9 lineage.

Overview

McDonnell Douglas United States ICAO: MD90 1995–2000 $58.5 million

The McDonnell Douglas MD-90 was developed as a further evolution of the DC-9 and MD-80 families. Designed for improved efficiency and reduced noise, it entered service in the 1990s. The aircraft represented the last major development of the original DC-9 design.

Live Fleet Activity (MD90)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × International Aero EnginesIAE V2525-D5
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 25,000 lbf · 111 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
172 economy · 153 business
Crew
—
Cabin width
10 ft 2 in  ·  3.10 m
Cabin height
6 ft 7 in  ·  2.00 m
Cabin length
105 ft 9 in  ·  32.23 m
Exterior length
152 ft 7 in  ·  46.50 m
Tail height
30 ft 7 in  ·  9.33 m
Fuselage diameter
11 ft 0 in  ·  3.35 m
Wing span
107 ft 10 in  ·  32.87 m
Baggage volume
1,300 ft³  ·  36.8 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
156,000 lb  ·  71,000 kg
Max landing weight
142,000 lb  ·  64,500 kg
Max payload
41,800 lb  ·  19,000 kg
Fuel capacity
6,400 gal · 24,200 L · 19,400 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
506 kt  ·  582 mph  ·  937 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
138 kt  ·  159 mph  ·  256 km/h
Range
2,045 nm  ·  2,350 mi  ·  3,790 km
Fuel burn
0.37 nm/gal  ·  0.18 km/L
Ceiling
42,000 ft  ·  12,800 m
Rate of climb
3,200 ft/min  ·  16 m/s
Takeoff distance
7,200 ft  ·  2,200 m
Landing distance
5,250 ft  ·  1,600 m
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Delta MD-90 departing

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Operational Context

McDonnell Douglas MD-90 — medium-range narrow-body jet

The MD-90 first flew in 1993 and entered airline service in 1995. It featured a longer fuselage and updated avionics compared with earlier MD-80 variants. The aircraft retained the rear-mounted twin-engine configuration.

Powered by two International Aero Engines V2500 turbofan engines producing approximately 25,000 pounds of thrust (111 kN) each, the MD-90 cruised at about 455 knots (840 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight was roughly 156,000 pounds (70,760 kg). Seating capacity typically ranged from 150 to 172 passengers.

The MD-90 achieved moderate sales before Boeing’s acquisition of McDonnell Douglas ended further development. Some aircraft remain in service with various carriers. The type marked the final chapter in the DC-9 airliner family.