A Rare Breed: Which Douglas DC-8s Are Still Active Today?

It has been well over 60 years since the Douglas DC-8 conducted its first flight. Along with the Boeing 707, this aircraft was one of two narrowbody quadjets that are widely considered to have catalyzed the jet age. A handful of examples remain active today, even after more than half a century in the skies. Let’s examine a few in today’s video.
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[@matthewthompson8691]

Amazing longevity in the old DC-8's, and still quite a looker.

[@melvyncox3361]

Love the DC-8❤️👍!

[@wooden2187]

They look so sleek without slats or slotted flaps (and their turnbuckle fairings)

[@sonicjet7759]

@@melvyncox3361DC-8 ✈️❤😊

[@joeyjamison5772]

In 1971 while I was in the Air Force, I flew on a Super DC-8 from SEA-TAC to JFK NY. When we got over the mountains, we encountered the worst turbulence I've ever experienced and it kept on for 25 minutes. I was sitting in the rear and watched the wings flex, probably to their limits. It was really frightening, but it was only then that I really appreciated the work the Douglas engineers had done. The rest of the flight continued without further incident.

[@skeetrix5577]

you should have went up to the cockpit and told the pilots that you were all counting on them, and good luck

[@JDFloyd]

I have flown on a DC-8 twice. As an aviation enthusiast, I like the aircraft.

[@timothycook2917]

My father worked for Douglas Aircraft for nearly 30 years

[@zacherius137]

Cool story

[@josephkearsey8951]

The DC-8 was important part of the Air Canada fleet in the 70's and 80's. I remember it as being a good flight experience, wonder what I would thing if able to fly on it today. The DC-8 always looked good in the air.

[@uto4ka_v_tazike993]

One of my favorite planes, along the L-1011; So happy to see these birds flying

[@imagereader_9]

In 1982 I flew on a DC-8--55 that at the time was leased to Icelandair. It was built in 1965 for SAS. Talk about old school! The windows had curtains like an old piston plane. But that didn't take anything away from its toughness and durability. Later sold and converted to a freighter, I checked on it in 2012 and it was still in service with the Congolese Air Force.... 47 years after it was built!

[@magnustan841]

The DC-8 for me played an underrated role in shaping the aviation we know now. There was a story of Pan Am buying about two dozen 707s and a similar number of DC-8s at a similar time. Apparently, Juan Trippe and co. were not impressed with the initial 707 design that had 5-abreast seating, compared to 6 for the DC-8. Allegedly, they requested Boeing to widen the fuselage and the rest is history. The 707 outsold the DC-8 by more than 2 to 1 and Boeing was established as a dominant force that it still is (maybe) today. Douglas had some success thereafter with the DC-9/MD-80 programme, but they were eventually merged with Boeing in the 90s. Who knows how different things would look today if not for that request.

[@MSRTA_Productions]

Long live the -8! I usually see the Samaritan's Purse DC-8 very often. Mostly seeing it heading to GSO (the DC-8's home base).

[@aurora_tba]

Yeah I just saw it a couple weeks ago outside the hanger while flying out of GSO. Insanely cool experience to see a still airworthy DC-8.

[@jasonchristian5451]

I would see it all the time when I flew in and out of GSO. I didn’t realize how unique it was.

[@kentd4762]

Samaritan's Purse literally gets a lot of mileage out of that jet!

[@1rtricky]

How I’d loved the DC-8. I worked for Capitol Air back in the early 80’s and to this day never flown in a more steady and beauty of an airplane. Like the 707 on take off you would sink into your seat however one of the biggest assets as a passenger on the DC8 was its huge windows.

[@kevinheard8364]

@That's so Rick You are exactly right .... "ditto"

[@lindasherman9921]

Back in the early 80s, United shuttled a DC-8 back and forth between O'Hare and Omaha (there were a lot of military passengers because of the AFB near Omaha). I wound up taking that flight several times. I don't remember much about the experience except one incident, when passengers were boarding at Omaha. I had a seat maybe 3/4 of the way back in economy. A lady walking past with her friend said, "It looks like we're walking there." The DC-8 was quite a long airplane for its time (150 feet) although not much longer than the B707 (144 feet). For some reason, though, you really felt like it was a long hike to the back. It was definitely a lot wider than a 707 and the seats were more comfortable as a result.

[@kevinheard8364]

I was raised at Omaha & actually remember those flights. I used to look forward to seeing them come in. It was like seeing an enormous cigar with wings .. such a pretty aircraft. (The observation deck at OMA was open back then)

[@mikecheek5775]

The 707 was actually an inch wider

[@DannyDetige]

Thanks to give us information about the famous DC-8. I used to work at LAP Air Paraguay Brussels which had 3 flights a week towards Asuncion. Yes they did fly DC-8 and also Boeing 707s. I had to oppertunity to fly the DC-8 (and B707) several times ! Really great

[@TS-cc5bw]

My first plane... that I remember. Overseas National Airlines... 1971 (ish). Pittsburgh to Lisbon/Mallorca on a charter vacation flight I think. My dad (B24 navigator WW2) said we almost ran out of runway getting off at PIT. Had to stay an extra night in Palma after a food truck backed into the plane. "Stretch 8 61"? What memories... what a trip.

[@gamingpredator4226]

A DC-8 flew over my house just a few weeks ago. On flightradar24 the reg and other data was unavailable. I'm fairly certain it must have have been The Samaritans Purse as i know ite been fairly active in my area, especially since the Covid-19 lockdowns. Unfortunately at over 30,000 feet i was unable to get a good picture

[@bastarddoggy]

UPS flew a lot of DC-8s in the 90s. I marshalled them to park on the ramp and shoved plenty of cargo cans up and down those long fuselages. I did my time loading and unloading the belly compartments, too. The best thing about them was being near (but not too close) when they started up the engines. When the burners lit off I could feel the rumbling in my chest. I also helped line up the nose gear and re-attach the steering linkage after the pushback tug disconnected. I liked working on and around those old birds.

[@danielpemble4114]

I began a career at Douglas Aircraft Co., Long Beach, California, in March of 1969 as a Publications Writer. My responsibility was to write descriptive, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting information for publication in Chapter 22 - Autoflight in the official Douglas Aircraft Company DC-8-60 Series Maintenance Manual, as used by our Customer Airlines. In the mid 1980's, I was a Douglas Field Service Rep stationed in the San Francisco area. I visited Transamerica in Oakland, California weekly and amongst other tasks, I supported the DC-8-70 aircraft mentioned in your video! The primary purpose of the re-engining program was for compliance with more-stringent noise regulations that were being mandated to take effect on January 1, 1985. In all, 110 "Super 70's" were delivered: 53 -71's, 7 -72's, and 50 -73's. The DC-8-72 has the longest range of all DC-8 models at 7860 nautical miles.

[@moriver3857]

I worked on DC8s, from a -55, all the way to a 73, and was very good at it, and eventually became a PFE, flying mostly on 60 series. A marvelous pilots and mechanics airplane. Very nice to see a selected few still flying.

[@jaguarantony]

Love the DC-8. It's such a tough aircraft.

[@fleipeg]

The DC-8 has always been one of my favorite airplanes. I had the opportunity to fly in one back in '94 when I was in the USAF Reserves. We flew from Dover AFB to Kuwait Int'l. It was a combi config model with the old JT8 engines. Love the channel.

[@jodydoakes8754]

Been on many DC-8s . Liked them. My first trip on one brought GI me home from Asia in 1970. Supposed to be non-stop Seoul-Seatac, but didn't make it. Had to stop in Anchorage for gas. Glad the crew recognized this.

[@railfan439]

I saw the first DC-8 in United livery at LAX, back when I was in the 8th grade. Also saw the first B-707 in Continental Airline livery at, again LAX at about the same time. Both were impressive to someone who thought Super Connies, in TWA color, were huge. I thought the DC-8 was a physically prettier aircraft. Thanks for the video. Jon

[@cameraman655]

Love the ‘Diesel 8’, flew on several as a kid in the 70s, specifically Braniff, Eastern, United, Delta, and JAL. It is comforting that some of these old-timers are still zipping through the skies.

[@williamcarnero9595]

OB-2059-P is still in service and I have a video of it taking off at MIA from Sept 25. I see both Skybus DC-8s regularly at the airport. OB-2158-P flies out almost every day. OB-2059-P seems to have a tendency to break down every other day.

[@umfuli]

I have flown two of these DC8s, with African International and the other with Cargolion. I think that I have about twelve thousand hours on the DC8 and have flown passenger and freight versions almost all around the world. I have, of course, a great deal of affection for this masterpiece of engineering.

[@stanley2004]

Congratulations Sir. The venerable DC-8 has a multitude of lovers around the world.

[@alanmiller9681]

Have flown on many of these aircraft being 70+. My last DC-8 was especially memorable. A World Airways stretch from McChord to Anchorage and Korea. Leaving Anchorage, I thought the pilots used every last foot of runway and we climbed so slowly for so long in the night sky. Eventually could see Mt McKinley in the distance above us!

[@charlesbreen4252]

I did the glass cockpit up grade on UPS's fleet of DC-8's in the early 90's. At the time I think they had around 40 8's in their inventory. I t is built like a truck and very reliable.

[@ITSMEDJ001]

Douglas DC-8 was my favorite plane, I really love how the design looks👍

[@paulwinter9672]

My first Jet flight was on a DC8 back when they first started flying with Air Canada, I loved the experience then & flew on them many, many times afterwards, mostly with Air Canada. I Moved from flying on piston engined aircraft, DC3/ DC4/ Super Constalation, to turboprops, Vickers Vicount/ Vanguard & then the DC8. Flying on jets was a transformative experience, the power & steep climbing on take off to the smooth ride & quiet cabin.

[@747-8F]

On May 7,1980 I was checked out as a f/o on United Airlines N8967U (Mainliner Harold Crary) so beautiful to see! so beautiful to know it is still flying

[@ChrisMuncy]

Glad to hear my father's former company, Emery Air Freight, mentioned. At one time they had quite the fleet of DC 8s.

[@kentd4762]

Hearing that name perked up my ears, too. Kind of a blast from the past experience...

[@richardtodd7295]

@@kentd4762 Emery Worldwide operated 46 DC-8's, including 54/55/61/62/63/71/73's.

[@kwaleikafa9400]

Like these fantastic old-school aircraft like the DC-8!

[@trob0914]

Fond memories of the "8" , I still remember my long walks to the restrooms on the stretch 8s I flew on as a kid!

[@patagard8253]

OUTSTANDING!!!

[@rogerpr364]

my dad was a millright at Air Canada at yul Montréal Québec Can. back when it was Trans Canada Airline or TCA, 1963 I was 6 y.o We was at the employes family Christmas party at the Base and my dad took me to the hangar wher there was a DC-8,,😱 it was sooo big through a kid eye, this was 61 years ago and I still remember how I reacted, many years had passed when my dad told me we wher about 100feet away the plane, I live two minutes flying away from the airport so many of departures and landing sight passes over my home and it's lots of fun watching those huge 777, 787 and 330, 350 I like all planes,, DC- 8's thanks for posting

[@mrsolotraveler8808]

Great video

[@sjg4967]

I worked as cabin crew on some stretch 8's in the late 1980's and they were already ancient relics. Used to do cheap charter flights and a Hadj by Trans International Airlines FL USA, then Trans Continental Airlines MI USA. Some were ex-Canadian Airlines, some had old Japan Airlines blankets all were then leased from Iceland Air. Some were said to have been former Air America CIA drug runner planes. Many of our flight crew had been flying them since they were introduced. Trans International Airlines collapsed suddenly while I was in the Dominican Republic waiting in the hotel lobby for our weekly return flight to Frankfurt. They never contacted us or paid us, but the Captain said that he had heard that the Drugs Enforcement Agency had raided the plane in Frankfurt... The plane did mid-week trips to Belize apparently..... Pretty noisy old beasts especially in the tail but I survived the 1987 hurricane over Europe in one, though I hit my head on the ceiling. Because the plane was so long, take-off and landing was great fun because of the crazy angles. Take off in the aft jump seat was hilarious, the tail of the plane would drop like a stone with you trying to detect if the pilot had it the tail...

[@ChevyBM]

I love the DC8, it is with the DC9 and douglas trijets my favourite aircraft.

[@longbeach7623]

Fascinating to realize the DC-8 long-outlasted the L1011 TriStar - a much revered plane.

[@mikebaginy8731]

A very interesting report! I flew on a DC-8 from the US to Germany in 1968.

[@fanofjets]

The DC-8 was one of the airplanes of my childhood, starting with a United -10 or -20 in 1965. I flew on a Pan American -30, Alitalia -40, Swissair -50 and -62, United -61, and KLM -63. My last DC-8 flight was on a Rich International -62, in 1984. That's a nearly two-decade span. She's still a beautiful aircraft!

[@FromMyEyesToYours]

I was visiting friends at the United service facility at SFO back in the late 80's when they had a DC-8 in the hangar that was used mostly for internal company flights, largely by United executives and their guest associates. Apparently rank has its privileges as this was basically a large-scale private jet. Aside from an insignia above the door that named it after some company founder or something, the exterior was painted in logo and livery of their common fleet, though the interior was anything but a typical commercial plane and featured very attractive appointments throughout the length of the cabin, including sofa and club seating with a lounge area and a small conference table far aft and a few rows of regular first class seats up forward. Everything spotless clean. I'd estimate set up to comfortably carry around 30-40 people or so. That was the only DC-8 I ever stepped foot on and is always what pops into my mind when the topic comes up. They had probably been using it in that capacity for many years by that point in time and has surely long ago been retired to the boneyard.

[@pleyades1711]

I feel blessed to have some really good pictures of this aircraft, I thought I would never see on of them

[@adriangonzalez4009]

Is amazing to see the OB-2158P here in Costa Rica every tuesday and thursday, I try to take photos when I can ❤

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

The DC8 is one amazing looking aircraft

[@dhroman4564]

Flew on one of Air Canada's and loved the trip.

[@sparkythesolocruiser6375]

I was on a Delta DC-8 that had an aborted takeoff right at rotation at Ohare in the early 80s and it still is one of my most memorable flying experiences .....

[@robertbenvenuti1909]

Great story!, I was a nice experience on board by this model of DC-8 from EZE to MEX, by Aeroperú, many years ago...

[@ronaldcuieii8639]

Although it's an older aircraft, it still looks good! It's kool looking actually with it's sharp looking vertical stabilizer and with it's upgraded engines.

[@davidaus7046]

Once flew on a stretch DC-8 from New York to Chicago. Sitting in the back row, the view up the aisle was impressive.

[@Marty-jc5xc]

I absolutely love the DC-8

[@Reitoft]

One of my first long hauls was on a DC-8 from Copenhagen to TelAviv in 1978 :-)

[@melvyncox3361]

Love the DC-8.A real looker👍❤️!

[@maultrommel]

1995 - VIE - MIA and back - they had to swap some engine parts before takeoff, but it was a classic back then already ;-)

[@deanlockamy2087]

After the Army I started my avaition career working on DC-8 planes in North Carolina, it was a beautiful and still is, it was lots of fun to work on, but the company paid low so I moved on. I'll never forget the DC-8.

[@quietpassenger8]

Saw the Samaritan's Purse DC-8 take off from Toronto Pearson a few months ago! Couldn't believe my eyes when it flew over!

[@Shcvault]

I mean, this thing was in service for 6.4 decades. And for an aircraft that was introduced back in September 1959’ you’ve got to say that this aircraft, is the worlds most successful aircraft’s ever built.

[@jackcarlson7906]

Can't believe I can say that I served as aircrew (just a research technician/intern) operating instruments on N817NA (the NASA one). Such a wonderful experience, getting to be in the jump seat for take off and watching such an old girl perform elegantly has to be the pinnacle of my aviation experience so far.

[@ElAye]

Wow.. hvnt seen a DC8 in yearzzzz, like maybe not since last century. I flew on a stretch-8 once back in March of 89. Please do a video on surviving 727s. I know that Kalitta still flies a few here in the US, and they use to fly into KONT, but not in the last 3 years. I use to track it and got a few cell videos of it.

[@Nobi36]

Rare sight

[@StarPartners]

I personally prefer the 707 - but also as a San Diego resident I really liked the short lived Convair 880

[@tbamagic]

I always loved flying on the DC-8. As I recall, it did not have leading edge slats, so it landed with a different nose-down attitude than the rival 707 did.

[@jstriggsr]

always one of my favorites…. crawled around in the belly of one in 1986 with Emery Worldwide

[@GintaPPE1000]

The 707 is the one that gets the glory, but the fact the DC-8 lasted much longer after the arrival of newer jets says a lot about which was actually the better design.

[@michaelmartinez1345]

Some of the best passenger airliners ever, were these DC-8's.... Very good performers, and very durable... We (UAL) had some of these re-powered with CFM-56 engines.... They became real hot-rods after doing that , but the larger thrust path from the larger CFM-56 engines, caused problems with the aft flaps & carriages.... Also, the pilots said these planes liked going fast, and they were hard to slow down on decent with the CFM-56 engines that put out more thrust at idle, than the JT-3 engines....

[@dumindudesilva083]

DC-8 is really popular in Sri Lanka, thanks to a catastrophic crash took place in the island back in mid 70's. There's a popular local song made out of this incident, and it includes DC-8 in its lyrics.

[@RealSaulGoodman78]

It’s one of my favorite planes

[@blairfarmer3501]

My Favorite Jet, I love em. Flew Eastern 61 series in 1969. Tpa Atl JFK.

[@g-manonthego6678]

In my opinion, the DC-8 is a larger, quad engined MD-80 with a standard tail instead of the t-tail and without the skid on the nose wheel.

[@alfiemcmaster2451]

What a plane.

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

ASTAR had 8 DC-8s I believe and had flights out of Florida. They were doing lifts DHL. ATI had several also probably in storage or scrapped.

[@leonb2637]

In June, 1984, I was on a DC-8 operated by Transamerica Airlines on a scheduled charter flight JFK-Shannon-JFK. To me they were better than the 707. They got an extension of life as freighter including by UPS and DHL due the legendary overengineering by Douglas at the time. I recall seeing into the 2000-teens UPS ones at EWR, in 2004 a DHL one in yellow-gold livery. They just had nice lines. The closest in looks to the DC-8 is the A-340 series, another favorite for me in the looks department.

[@jouniairplanevideos]

my great grandfather worked on those legends, while i haven't seen one in real live action. hope this would change in the future!!

[@alecgrolimond1678]

I remember the DC 8 and flew a few times in the 70ies & 80ies on the DC 8 with my parents.

[@imSterling]

I often spot during my morning walks that Sky Bus DC-8 departing MIA.

[@C1063]

DC8... One of the best Jet in the world inch by inch 👍🏼✈️✈️✈️

[@leeoldershaw956]

The DC 8 61 had the lowest passenger seat mile cost at $ 0.08 ever recorded.

[@nathanielcallender2]

The dc-8 is a very well built aircraft

[@msgtpauldfreed]

I remember seeing the NASA version at Edwards AFB before they retired it. I saw it and didn't recognize it so I researched it and found out what it was.

[@cellpat2686]

Donald Douglas must be smiling from up above looking at these DC8s and DC6s and DC4s AND DC3s still grazing our skyes. It has outlived the Boeing 707, its nemesis.

[@federicozamora253]

My first flight ever was on a DC-8. 1978 SJO to SJU: iBERIA non stop I still remember my thrill and my knees trembling when climbing that huge bird ❤

[@justinkoster4417]

The Samaritans purse DC8 is one of the most beautiful planes around I think

[@JDFloyd]

I believe I might have flown on "9S-AJO". Capital used to fly charter flights for the U.S. Department of Defense, transporting passengers from the U.S. to U.S. Military bases in Europe. I flew two flights back/forth U.S.-Spain.

[@lucbaeten3344]

Interesting to see the CFM-56 re-engined DC-8. It is to be remembered that Boeing strongly opposed this for the 707, only accepting it for the military versions, like the KC-135R

[@mikecheek5775]

Only because it would of competed with there then new 757 and 767.

[@rspectx]

Shows how tough Douglas made these bad boys. They can take some licks and keep on flying

[@rapidthrash1964]

I live where the Samaritans Purse DC-8 resides, Greensboro NC

[@nurrizadjatmiko21]

Wow. Very old Douglas machine still flying today

[@freedomfan4272]

If I'm not mistaken Samaritan's purse has a operational DC-8.

[@sleepyg2011]

The most beautiful machine in the world to this day.

[@marcoblv]

I must be mistaken, but thought i saw an all white, CFM re-engined DC-8 parked near the executive terminals at LAS. Whatever it is, it is a long narrow bodied quad engine airliner. I am pretty sure it is not a 707 as that fuselage is fairly distinctive as is the vertical stabilizer... Any one else notice that aircraft? Thanks for the always interesting content!

[@111Swissair]

Great workhorse. I liked it better than the Boeing 707.

[@eduardgenardandalis1437]

The DC8 with CFM engines + longer fuselage is basically a “long, narrowbody A340” or a “quad engine 757.”

[@ivanviera4773]

Oh the good old days

[@Flyingfish551]

The best I ever worked on.

[@peoplesambassadordm8279]

Samaritan Purse DC8 still flies...

[@skylineXpert]

Found a few Heavylift DC8s at Ras Al khaimah In 2010. They may be retired today...

[@robertcamble3543]

Air Jsmaica operated 2 D.C 8's from 1969 when they 1st started till they were replaced by A300's in the early 80s .

[@ekuche8335]

beautiful aircraft... with that dolphin nose looks like a 4-Engine 757!

[@melvyncox3361]

I think there's a '73 undergoing maintenance in the Congo at the moment.l think there's 5 flying and one,the above is in maintenance.Hopefully 6 altogether!

[@stephenalexander6033]

Douglas was a great manufacturer, a few bits of bad luck left them vulnerable to a takeover

[@PIT.Planespotter]

Dang, I got a pic of one of those. Bad but still.