Delta has retired its MD-88s and MD-90s , ending 33 years of use by the airline.
Delta was the last US airline flying the twin engine aircraft which seated about 150 passengers.
Both aircraft operated across much of Delta’s domestic network and have been workhorses for the airline for several decades, carrying more than 750 million customers during their operating lifespan. At peak, Delta operated a fleet of 185 “Mad Dog” jets that flew roughly 900 daily flights.
As of February this year, prior to the coronavirus-driven fleet reduction, there were 47 MD-88s operating. As of February, prior to the coronavirus-driven fleet reduction, there were 29 MD-90s operating.
The final MD-90 flight, numbered DL90, was from Houston to Atlanta and the final MD-88 flight, DL88, was from Washington-Dulles to Atlanta.
The aircraft are heading to Blytheville, Ark for storage.
Delta released an infographic highlighting the workhorses of Delta’s fleet.
N.B. Image credit: Delta