FLYING A 29-YEAR-OLD MD-88! The End of an Era at Delta Air Lines

[@briancook9432]

I was a first officer on the MD-88/90 for 3 1/2 years. I personally flew that exact airplane. She was quite the workhorse! Really enjoyed your video!!!

[@Pwj579]

The MD-88 was definitely a workhorse for Delta from the mid-1990s to early 2000s For my Dad as a Delta Captain, it was his least favorite aircraft, next to the 737-800. His favorites were the L-1011, 757, 767 and 727.

[@brandonbinder5572]

Hey - how come they left flaps out at the gate?

[@KuostA]

wow what an amazing job! How did you like flying the 90 vs the 88? which did you prefer flying more?

[@thetwopointslow]

There’s something so fun about flying in an MD-80, it’s like you can feel it ride the winds. It flies like a sports car.

[@windanthonystream]

thetwopointslow it cuts thru the skies like butter.. It has a smooth ride.

[@coolcatmeow77]

Every time I drive my Miata I'm reminded of my last flight as a passenger on the Mad Dog

[@windanthonystream]

As someone who has actually flown the MD-80, and it will forever have a special place in my heart. Now I’m on the 717, it is similar but flys very different. However the 717 has better automation!!

[@gendaminoru3195]

I have time in 717 and a ton of sim time from FSB/Alteon on both. And I agree, much different handling qualities. Good luck

[@guilhermerocha02]

Nice! I'll soon fly on a 717 from Hawaiian

[@mikeparkin7262]

I flew on a airtran dc-9 and 717 in same day. their 717`s were brand new at the time and i thought they were really nice.

[@FinlandGuy747]

I wish somebody would fly 717s near me.

[@waynemartin4881]

As a crew member myself the probable reason they wouldn’t let you mount the GoPro is that if it comes off the window during an incident it might injure them, making doing their job in an emergency much more difficult, we are told to make sure we are safe and if we feel something might injure us then we can rectify it, if they were rude about it then that’s bad. There’s ways of getting things sorted without being rude. I enjoyed your video very much, I used to fly these aircraft in the 1990s from Heathrow to Dublin with British Midland.

[@heroknaderi]

I enjoyed it. I will miss them too. Hopefully someday someway someone will start an airline company and bring them back to the skies

[@markjaynes7151]

I used to take Eastern DC-9s from DFW to Atlanta to Gainseville, FL. My favorite 2-engined airplane. I liked it much better than the 737s. Well done!

[@jamesboardman8859]

As a Delta SkyMiles Member, I have spent quite a few hours seated in Delta's MD-80 & 90 aircraft. I am 6'3", and like you Alex, I often have problems with legroom in the coach cabin of most aircraft, however, I never had a problem with Delta's MD-80s, they always had a "scoosh" more legroom than Delta's 737, & A320 aircraft have. Goodbye old friend, you will be missed. Thanks Alex, for the tribute!

[@parkerdenney7445]

My last Mad Dog flight was January 2019, MD-90 from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Detroit.

[@ilikeleaking]

the last time I flew delta is when the md-80/90 were still in service, im pretty sure the last time I was on delta I flew the md-88

[@santhoshferrari4107]

Alex is the shit. His videos are spectacular

[@MileHigh_Aviation]

Rest In Peace to one of the best airplanes ever!

[@Delta_NWAB747fan]

I can 100% agree, hopefully the MD-90 will stay for at least a little while longer.

[@MileHigh_Aviation]

Delta747Fan Boeing yeah agreed

[@thecaynuck4694]

@@Delta_NWAB747fan Sadly the MD-90 is now fully retired. There are still some MD-80's in the world. The most accessible are fro World Atlantic Airlines and some airlines in Venezuela.

[@shahimagesyt]

Dont forget Iran too

[@deltastransportadventures4083]

I'm gonna miss these. The MD-88 is one of my best Single aisle planes I flew recently because I sat at the back near the engine and it sounded absolute hellfire. R.I.P MD-88

[@CallumSpotting]

Awesome video mate...Such as sad time the md-80’s look and sound amazing it’s a shame... keep up the great work 😃👍🏻

[@markvolpe2305]

Back in the 80's and 90's this was all that we flew on, gonna miss these birds.

[@thecaynuck4694]

I wish they stayed around longer! As someone who's younger, I flew on these when I was very young, hardly remember it. However, World Atlantic Airlines has operated flights to New York from my airport before, so maybe it's one day possible to hitch a last ride.

[@DeltaBravoTango]

Never got to fly one but it is so iconic all the same. Beautiful job Alex. Liked

[@coydog7902]

I’ve been on them

[@donaldsperrazza5817]

I flew on them countless times living in buffalo as they were pretty much the only delta aircraft that flew there. Never thought I’d miss them but I do.

[@kimdeering8052]

Yup, did many flights on the Mad Dogs when I was an airline employee 20 plus years ago. Funny to think that before Delta and American retired these birds, I read that the airlines were offering captains pay raises to captain these things since everybody wanted to fly the 737's and the Buses. I know a couple guys who captained the Mad Dogs and they absolutely loved flying them as much as I loved riding in them. Being a Delta Connection employee, I had excellent travel benefits with Delta so many times in First Class and my share in coach. Man, if we had KZbin and smart phones back in my day with the airlines, I woulda been doing exactly what you're doing and loving every minute of it !

[@deltaboy767]

There will NEVER EVER be another engine sound like that of the MD88, MadDog.

[@jcaam8094]

The most amazing sounding engine ever.

[@Aviation.addict]

My uncle was the captain of your flight, I think. He flew MS-80s at the the time, but now flies a320s

[@horseathalt7308]

WOW GREAT PILOTS ! THAT KIND OF INTERACTION REMINDS ME OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF COMMERCIAL JET FLIGHT IN THE 60S AND 70S. THANKS GUYS

[@TwanK1]

966 Was One Of The Last 88s I Parked At LaGuardia Seven Years Ago..Delta Did An Amazing Job Keeping Those Planes In Great Shape..Great Video!

[@Chatta-Ortega]

I remember flying in the back row of those old DC-9's and I would walk off the plane almost deaf. The MD-80 and later the MD-88's were much quieter. They were good aircrafts.

[@cedricye1767]

When the plane was taking off, I felt like I was in a plane taking off, not on a computer, lol. Great video!

[@GarrettCannon]

Man, that's so cool of the pilot to let you do that!! Props to the cool pilot flying one of the coolest planes 😎

[@knopserkeks]

You are really lucky to fly these things

[@timeforbeans]

Tip of the hat towards crew members. Flying with an Airline that has amazing crew members always makes our families decision on which Airline to fly. Crew members, are the reason we book any flight with an airline for all of our trips.

[@georgemcgowanfl]

Allegiant used to fly the mad dog and I loved the sound of the engines as well as the 3/2 seating.

[@JustJJ555]

I got to ride on one of these March of 2020 right before Delta retired them due to Covid. Almost felt like I was in a private jet because the plane was less than half full and I had the whole row to myself. The buzz of the engine put me in a deep slumber.

[@motormusique]

Yes I was glad I was able to fly one at the end of 2019. I was seated far up front and I was surprised because the take off was almost silent!

[@apa182]

GREAT VIDEO!!!!! Flew on DAL MD80s, definitely best single aisle plane.

[@StephenStarkman]

fun video, well done and thank you. I've flown on DC-9's, MD-80's, '88s over the years. Used to go out to Pearson at the end of what was then 24R in the parking lot of the McDonnell Douglass plant to hear Air Canada's DC-9-30 absolutely roar into the sky. The type of noise that vibrates your chest.(The 727s, 707's and IL-62Ms were fun too :). My last flight on an MD included a departure from the gate using reverse thrust (NWA, Detroit to Toronto) sitting just in front of the left engine (deliberately!). THAT was noisy! What a great airplane! But, noise, environment and cost does mean it should be retired. Hopefully all of us can get back to commercial flying as soon as possible.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Wow when I was really young I went regularly Alitalia to Rome on the Mad dog I loved that plane It started my love affair with planes. IM now An adult and spot at Manchester UK my favourite plane is the A350-1000. Or Neo as I’m into low emissions craft I follow 23L blog he gets all the big guys Emirates Virgin etc etc magnifico also Planespotting Ringway a young lad just starting up Thankyou for amazing film bellissimo bravo indeed ✈️🇬🇧🙏👩‍✈️👨‍✈️🌺🇺🇸✈️

[@corpnupe85]

The MD 80’s were a great flying plane.

[@SkyblueAviation]

Man, the sound of those engines 😍 This video gave me a really weird nostalgic feeling, even if I’ve never flown on a maddog before! Awesome video as always 👍

[@ryankenyon5010]

Great video! Sat in 33a on my last Mad Dog Delta flight ATL-OMA in Jan. 2019. Unforgettable.

[@american101]

The MD88 Is Absolutely Amazing! I’m Really Gonna Miss These Once They’re Gone! 😭♥️

[@TripReportaviation]

Nice trip report. The sounds were powerful and amazing.

[@thejazzguy13]

Really enjoyed the video Alex! Only 4 days left for the ole Mad Dogs...I know they're old but I still wanna say they're leaving too soon :D

[@CJetsPlanespotting]

It’s sad to see less and less aircraft built by McDonnell Douglas flying everyday...

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Well done video! Thanks! 🛫🛬

[@trekkermueth3074]

Thank you for taking us on this flight. I can't even begin to estimate how many MD-88s on which I've flown. It was the workhorse of American and Delta for most of my business flying days from Tampa to Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto and many other destinations. So cool that there are trading cards. I never knew that! Safe travels.

[@GermanKorb]

Excellent flight! Awesome spooling sounds!

[@michaelmitchell5380]

Great job! I'll miss them flying over my house here at KMSN. Racking my brain to remember if I've flown one, having done so on just about every version of the DC-9. Seventy years is a long time of flying to keep track of. Really love the B717--a really sweet ride! First time I could have sworn it was a DC9-30, at half the weight.

[@skinnerhound2660]

A good friend of mine who was a Naval aviator during Vietnam and later flew for Alaska Airlines. He retired Captain on 80's in 2004 and I was lucky to be able to fly on his last schedule/turn. He had good things to say about the aircraft.

[@davef9901]

Had the opportunity to fly on Air Canada DC-9s many moons ago (my first air trips), thanks for this - brought back some great memories!

[@ChrisZoomER]

I used to get MadDogs cruising over house hourly prior to the pandemic and now they’re gone, but I’ll always remember their distinct cruising sound.

[@DPNP-ls7ro]

Flown on an MD80 once in 2005. The way it accelerates from zero to being airborne. Fell in love with it 🤩

[@lhunter325]

Hi, My wife flew forDelta 33yrs so she flew in these relics for quite a few flights….Glad you enjoyed your flight.

[@avationgeek.1217]

This lovely plane has all my sympathy.

[@nateleech3887]

The bird will be forever missed, let’s say gone but never forgotten. Great video Alex, gonna miss the maddog

[@BFFAvgeek15]

Good video dude! Sadly I didn’t catch a ride on the Delta MD-88 this year. ✈️

[@samphillips8322]

Great video Alex. Glad you had a memorable trip. There were many MD and 717 fans among the flight crews as well. Now they are getting conversion training to fly new aircraft. I rode the MD many times on Delta both as a passenger and a nonrev. Good airplane for most domestic trips. Thank you for flying with Delta.

[@Coffee-vw2bu]

I've never been on the MD-88, but I've been on the MD-90-30 for Delta Air Lines. My first flight was on the MD-80 family, and I don't have a problem with the MD-80s. It was a very comfortable aircraft to be on.

[@jefftempleton5832]

Thanks for sharing this trip report. The airline I worked for back in the way back had a fleet of MD 80's. I hated to work on them (low ceilings, painful corners to hit your head on in the baggage pits), and the MD stood for "Mechanical Delay" or "Mostly Deficient." But to fly on them, now that was something special....especially in the back where (most) paying passengers never wanted to sit.

[@MICKbig06]

Great video! I took my first flight years ago on a northwest DC-9 from Newark to Memphis

[@fsxpilotcorbein8761]

Realy Awesome video, I love this aircraft, thank you :)

[@dennyfrontier]

I flew on an MD 88 years ago and I had the privilege of sitting right next to the engine so I could see it out of my window. Very distinctive and soothing hum

[@amtrakharry]

That was a wonderful trip except for the one miserable crew member . Thanks for sharing this with us Alex !!! :):):)

[@gregorylewis8471]

Thank you Alex! I've had many a great ride on MD-88's and MD-90's. Many more in the past on DC-9's. Air Canada flew DC-9's in the past and I flew one on a very short trip from Toronto to Windsor! I'm really going to miss my Mad Dogs! Thanks again!

[@ScottJLake1]

You didn’t play enough of the spool up of the engine to hear when fuel was added. Hearing the fuel hit the ignitors is the best.

[@edwardsp1916]

I was impressed by the way you managed to mount the microphone outside! I forgot hiw loud the MD80 is. Great aircraft.

[@NozomuYume]

I know you love those engines, but for me the great thing about these will always be how darn quiet they are when you're sitting up front. No noise cancelling headphones needed, just the whoosh of the air.

[@billstose5131]

Noises if you sat in the rear, so loud you couldn’t hear the safety info.

[@sushi777300]

I'm a bit jealous Never got the chance to fly any MD-80 😢 Once I was booked on one on ATL-RSW but that got upgraded to a 752. Was hoping to still get the chance to fly one on one of the few remaining DL routes next year but that chance is gone 😞

[@v1__rotate]

Glad I got to fly on both AA and DL Mad Dogs. I will miss them for sure

[@Pwj579]

Alex, I had my fill of flying Delta MD-88s from 1992-2006, when my dad was a Cincinnati-based Delta Captain. We lived in Baltimore, so flying anywhere "Non-Rev" it was usually an MD-88 from BWI to CVG or ATL for connecting flights to final destination. We would always cross our fingers for a 727 or 757 rather than the "Mad Dog". Compared to those aircraft the MD-88's takeoff performance was anemic. That was the fun of sometimes flying out of DCA National Airport (later Reagan National), usually it was either a 727 or 757 due to the shorter runway and noise abatement flying that required an aircraft with a little more "oomph".

[@fireandrose1962]

Grew up in Winnipeg and enjoyed the sound of those Air Canada DC9s on approach over my house. Also loved being in the aft cabin to hear the whine of those JT8Ds from the inside too. But oh....the vibration next to those rear windows next to the cowling - that was something else. Thanks for capturing that unique experience.

[@Garcansdad]

I've flown on a few DC-9s but most memorable was flying on the Delta Convair 880 to Chicago from Houston years ago.

[@lorifrederick2367]

My favorite aircraft of all time! I will miss the Mad Dog! I will also miss them flying over my house, we are under the approach pattern, KROC 22.

[@Railviation]

awesome video alex! it will be sad to see them all gone, but still happy they have a second life has Charter airliners!

[@dors5969]

Which charter airlines will buy them?

[@billr2220]

Love those JT8D sounds

[@fabriziom]

Great vid Alex congrats! I remember flying a Delta MD88 in 1999 from ATL to Indianapolis. I was 13 at the time and it was memorable. On approach we flew through quite large clouds and at each cloud the pilot would push the throttle to pass through it faster. Only and ever time I had such a way to pilot! I loved it as it gave a nice kick in the back at each cloud.

[@kevinasaurus]

My first trip in the air was when I was 9, in 1989, on an AA MD80, SYR-ORD-SMF. I've loved flying ever since.

[@edwardsp1916]

Great video. @01:40 did the tug cause the MD80 to stop? At UK airports this could have serious consequences.

[@RedHotMessResell]

For all these years I thought my first flight was on a Delta airbus in 2003, but as I research I'm starting to realize it very well might've been a MD. I only flew 3 times between 2003-2004 for some TV work in LA. One of those flights was a 3-2 configuration because I remember it bothering my OCD so bad back then as a kid. One had two isles. At least two were Delta. I'm on a quest to figure out which one was my first. And this could be it.

[@CMH-aviation]

I was very lucky to spot the last MD88 flight in and out of CMH Columbus Ohio and that was strange when it took off knowing i wouldnt see or hear one ever again

[@davdmoi]

Nice , that plane numbers look very familiar. I remember I also on one of MD88 when I fled to Florida from NYC. Those rear twin engines sweet powerful sound.

[@BayAreaTraveler]

Wow, well done video! Really enjoyed your narration and the symphony of those Pratt engines!

[@marriedGary]

Had the privilege to do the same flight back in December 2019. Nothing like the Mad Dog!

[@brianmcdonald6519]

Too bad that one crew member gave you a hard time about filming. I saw another vlogger who said the crew member actually asked the name of his channel! Sorry to say I don't watch your channel very often, but when I do, I enjoy your reports!

[@pwoblem]

Remember back in 2010 when SAS retired their whole fleet i booked a domestic turn around flight from stockholm to umea just to go with the MD80 one last time (a week before the actual last flight that went from arlanda to copenhagen). But upon arrival to the airport after check in there was a aircraft change due to technical reason so i ended up flying the route with a 736 instead. it was such a bummer.. So my last flight with the MD80 was 3 months prior to the last retirement flight. Really enjoyable aircraft!

[@alejandromoranrusso3529]

Very nice video , thank you for shared.

[@sidrad]

One of my earliest memories was flying from New York to Columbia with a layover in Atlanta. I loved the black nose cone and livery that Delta put on the MD fleet in the mid 90s, and I still would love to see them do it as a heritage livery.

[@MrRashad9001]

I remember my first Delta MD 88 flight from nassau to Atlanta connection to new Orleans on the MD 90 I sat in row 35 and that engine is loud but it was a great experience on Delta MD 88

[@mynorescobar3015]

Pan-Am was the BEST with all kind of souvenirs.

[@stuartlee6622]

Pan Am. Like unchecked baggage in the hold

[@jamesboardman8859]

Huh, I didn't know that PAN AM ever flew MD-80s. They flew Boeing 727s, and some Airbus A320s, at the time of their demise. I don't recall ever seeing an MD-80 in their livery.

[@Ben-xe8ps]

Such as?

[@aviationvideos4812]

I flew the MD-80 on American from Portland to Dallas a number of times. Sad to see it retired.

[@btrdangerdan2010]

When I was still working at SNA station, there use to be B717-200 that Delta served until last October 2019 being replaced by the A220/CS100. Similar to the MD_80 series.

[@tommylatin6842]

Really gonna miss em

[@kianoush7294]

It’s about time!

[@38911bytefree]

Just imagine honw many cycles this thing put on, how many hours in the skies. A well born Douglas. Back in the time when planes were sexy. In the vid of the Concorce they speka about it as a mix of power and beauty ... with some differences of course, the MD-80 90 family fits this description as well. They talk about fuel efficiency back airlines were not so worried aobut that, they served the market when there was no E-jets or Bombardiers .... Timeless

[@windanthonystream]

38911bytefree the MD-90 has the same engine as some A320s and it sad to see it go!

[@McWrisk]

Aww the MD. Had the opportunity to fly this quite a few times from PNS-ATL / ATL-MSP / MEM-MSP and even once MSP - YQR that engine is impressive!

[@johnbowyer6902]

Yes, an incredible sound indeed. However, after flying the BAC-1 11 from Belfast to Manchester, UK. in the back row in 1978, I think the Rolls Royce tyne engines had a really Stirring sound about them when spooling up for taxiing. Thankyou for not editing or speeding-up video during takeoff and landing like some bloggers do. Great job. Royce Tyne engines have it beat.

[@kirkzevola5004]

I’ll miss flying on these I loved these planes growing up

[@mikeallmon1]

that cabin sound in there... noing, noing, noing for a long time! gotta love it! I heard the flight deck is silent

[@markiangooley]

MD-88s and MD-90s have been the way to fly Delta from Florida airports like PBI to ATL, and often from ATL to smaller airports in the eastern USA or the Midwest. Flown a lot in the past ten years. I’ll miss them. I think my last flights were PBI-ATL and back in September 2019. Saw a few on a trip in December but didn’t fly on them.

[@suryasuryadi3430]

It is always a wonderful vlog from Alex.. with such detailed information. JT is somewhat a roaring engines and gas guzzlers too, make it less profit for Delta. It is marvelous.. got a letter and souvenirs from the Captain... You are lucky..

[@jackpestaner6925]

I fly on these all the time out of EWR, and appreciate how quiet they are up front. The PA systems were generally terrible, as the PA picks up the 400hz electrical system and overpowers the announcements...

[@stanleovart]

Cool, as usual! Thank you Alex

[@constantinenikitin5397]

Damn those engines sound beautiful! Very sad to see them go. I never got a chance to fly on a mad dog.

[@liamhosking2947]

It looks like a fun aircraft foot fly on but unfortunately, I don’t think I will ever be able to fly on one..... 😢😔 But great video as always Alex! 👍✈️

[@JPsAviation]

My home airport always got the md88 from atl, now we’re getting the 738 in September.

[@johnbremner5483]

Allegiant Air has a full compliment of MD80`s that I believe they got from American Airlines!

[@georgemcgowanfl]

John Bremner Allegiant retired all their mad dogs. They now fly Airbus 319 and 320.