<strong>Mad Dog retires:</strong> On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines retired the last McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series aircraft flying scheduled passenger service in North America.
Mad Dog retires: On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines retired the last McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series aircraft flying scheduled passenger service in North America.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Class photo: </strong>Those aboard the last flight from Washington Dulles to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport gathered for a photo at Dulles.
Class photo: Those aboard the last flight from Washington Dulles to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport gathered for a photo at Dulles.
Chris Sloan
<strong>On-time departure: </strong>The finale aboard N900DE, the 100th MD88 delivered to Delta, was especially surreal amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On-time departure: The finale aboard N900DE, the 100th MD88 delivered to Delta, was especially surreal amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Masked and ready: </strong>Passenger excitement was obscured by face masks, but festive balloons were still in play.
Masked and ready: Passenger excitement was obscured by face masks, but festive balloons were still in play.
Chris Sloan
<strong>In the cockpit:</strong> Captains Jim Hamilton (left) and Carl Nordin shared their appreciation for the MD-88 before takeoff.
In the cockpit: Captains Jim Hamilton (left) and Carl Nordin shared their appreciation for the MD-88 before takeoff.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Thumbs up:</strong> Ross Davis, a Delta flight attendant, has fond memories of the MD-88. ""It was the plane I worked on my first day. It's close to my heart."
Thumbs up: Ross Davis, a Delta flight attendant, has fond memories of the MD-88. ""It was the plane I worked on my first day. It's close to my heart."
Chris Sloan
<strong>Spacing things out:</strong> The final flight was not full, in keeping with Delta's Covid-19 policies. Just 84 of 149 seats were occupied.
Spacing things out: The final flight was not full, in keeping with Delta's Covid-19 policies. Just 84 of 149 seats were occupied.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Engines roar: </strong>The twin rear mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 series engines give MD-80s their signature sound.
Engines roar: The twin rear mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 series engines give MD-80s their signature sound.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Marked with memories: </strong>Passengers brought Sharpie markers to share their appreciation for the MD-88 bound for an airplane graveyard in Blytheville, Arkansas.
Marked with memories: Passengers brought Sharpie markers to share their appreciation for the MD-88 bound for an airplane graveyard in Blytheville, Arkansas.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Mad Dog:</strong> The MD-80 series is affectionately dubbed "Mad Dog," because they take off like rocket ships and require pilots' full attention to fly and land.
Mad Dog: The MD-80 series is affectionately dubbed "Mad Dog," because they take off like rocket ships and require pilots' full attention to fly and land.
Chris Sloan
<strong>A fan's inscription:</strong> The author signed the plane, complete with a drawing. Planes bound for the boneyard are sometimes signed like a cast.
A fan's inscription: The author signed the plane, complete with a drawing. Planes bound for the boneyard are sometimes signed like a cast.
Chris Sloan
<strong>End of an era: </strong>Delta's first MD-80 aircraft was introduced in 1987. The airline once operated 120 in its fleet.
End of an era: Delta's first MD-80 aircraft was introduced in 1987. The airline once operated 120 in its fleet.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Delta's workhorse: </strong>At its peak, the MD-80 accounted for 50% of all departures and arrivals at Delta's hub in Atlanta.
Delta's workhorse: At its peak, the MD-80 accounted for 50% of all departures and arrivals at Delta's hub in Atlanta.
Chris Sloan