The story
McDonnell Douglas launched the MD-88 in January 1986 on the back of orders and options from Delta Air Lines for 80 aircraft. Outside it is an MD-82 or MD-83, with the same airframe and engines; inside it has an EFIS glass cockpit and a wind-shear warning system. It first flew in August 1987, Delta flew it from January 1988, and 150 were delivered before the last went to Turkey's Onur Air in 1997. Delta flew the last U.S. passenger MD-88 flight on 2 June 2020.
Delta's first eight MD-88s were built as MD-82s and then upgraded to the MD-88 standard.
Quick answers
How do you identify a MD-88?
Long, slender body, T-tail and two JT8Ds on the tail: an MD-80. Telling an MD-88 from an MD-82 or MD-83 from the ground is close to impossible, since the differences are in the cockpit and the paperwork. The shorter MD-87 has a taller fin, and the MD-90 has much bigger V2500 engines.
What does a MD-88 sound like?
The JT8D's raw, crackling roar from the tail.
How many people does the MD-88 carry?
Typical configuration: 155 (typical).
How far can the MD-88 fly?
Range is about 2,050 nmi (155 passengers).
How big is the MD-88?
It is 147 ft 10 in long and 107 ft 10 in across the wings.
When did the MD-88 first fly?
Its first flight was in 1987.
How many MD-88s have been built?
150 built.
What do crews call the MD-88?
Mad Dog.
How rare is a MD-88 in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first MD-88 catch is worth 25 points.
