Farewell B717

DFW · Post by **DFW** » 10 Feb 2006, 02:28

Knight255 wrote:
Never did like AA's MD-80's though. I'm glad they are replacing them with 737's
Are they?? I can't say much more cause I signed a confidentiality form.

It's that true Knight???? Sounds like a hell of a deal...you can't refuse that!
That's what I was told by the 737 Fleet Captain, so I would think it is true.

Please tell me that they are replacing the MD-80's! 8O

I thought that was the plan when AA signed up to buy a ton of Boeing airplanes about 7 years. Oh well, at least I'm a frequent flyer and not one of those poor souls losing their hearing in the back of those planes.

Knight255 · Post by **Knight255** » 10 Feb 2006, 03:48

Please tell me that they are replacing the MD-80's!

I thought that was the plan when AA signed up to buy a ton of Boeing airplanes about 7 years. Oh well, at least I'm a frequent flyer and not one of those poor souls losing their hearing in the back of those planes.

It was originally the plan but 9/11 changed things.

Just ride in first class, you'll keep your hearing and get free booze!!!

:drink:

jelger · Post by **jelger** » 10 Feb 2006, 10:01

the DC9/MD80's/MD90/B717 were a distinct plane, that many of us have known, and probably have flown with (my last time must have been with SAS deep down in mid-70s ), and in a way a class on their own.

but frankly speaking, during my student years (late 90s) working at the AMS airport (airside ramp, and baggage handling) I have come to dislike them. doors, nets and so on, always a mess ! just take a F100/F70 (although smaller, more or less similar concept) and check the difference - just in small details like nets and stuff. have never worked with the B717 - so i dont know whether that sort of details have been improved.

It is a pity though that civil aircraft industry is now just a few 1 or 2 concept companies. Lockheed, MD, Fokker, Saab.. all gone. not much coming back in place of that (Embraer seems to be the exception)

YYZ727 · Post by **YYZ727** » 10 Feb 2006, 10:56

Only reason why AA bought the MD-80......they got 3 MD-80's for the price of one 737 in the 1980's

I heard that AA even got to try out some MD80's for free during a few months. The McDonnel-Douglas sales dept. was actually that desperate to sell some of their sleek super-80s....
Anyway, AA management liked the super-80 (and its price-tag) enough to buy over 200 of them...
I, for one, have always liked flying in the AA MD-80's. I loved the 2-3 seat configuration in coach. And as long as you didn't get a spot in the last 6-7 rows the engine noise is bearable

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 10 Feb 2006, 16:23

I've read something recently saying that American is NOT going to replace the MD-80 for a while. The average age is about 15 years, and they're saying it's not a priority. Besides, their financial situation isn't that great although they're better off than most in the U.S. They intend to focus on International routes rather than domestic. They have over 300 MD-80 (including those acquired through the purchase of TWA), so it would take forever to replace them all anyway.

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 10 Feb 2006, 16:25

Well, found the article I was refering to:

http://www.flightinternational.com/Arti ... wbody.html

Ovostar · Post by **Ovostar** » 10 Feb 2006, 18:10

Bye Bye!!!

It's not really a bye bye... we will still see these 717 for some years!

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 21 Apr 2006, 17:18

The last B717 has rolled out: http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/20 ... Beach.html

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 21 Apr 2006, 18:28

The 717 is still on Boeing's site as "in production", but not for long. I actually never liked the 717, but it still is sad to see it go.

SAS_MD80 · Post by **SAS_MD80** » 21 Apr 2006, 19:22

YYZ727 wrote: I, for one, have always liked flying in the AA MD-80's. I loved the 2-3 seat configuration in coach. And as long as you didn't get a spot in the last 6-7 rows the engine noise is bearable

I agree with you. The DC-9/MD80/90 family is the my favourite aicraft in the 100-150 seat category. I fly them every month with SAS (which operates them from and to CPH).
First of all, it's beautiful and sleek, like all Douglas airplanes;
Second, the 2-3 seating is really much more comfortable than the usual 3-3 seating with its annoying 2 double excuse seats per row.
And third, when you sit in the first half of the cabin the silence is awesome. If you are lucky enough to sit before row 10 you can barely hear the noise of the engine at take off. Of course I agree that the drawback is the unbearable noise of the last 5 rows...
I hope SAS keeps flying their MD80s for a long time. Personnally I dislike their boring 737NGs.

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 21 Apr 2006, 22:15

Hate to see the end of the 717 as well

:( Its the last remains of Douglas commercial Aviation...thats a sad moment

...

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 24 May 2006, 04:13

The last two B717 are delivered to Midwest Express and AirTran

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/200 ... 3a_nr.html

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 24 May 2006, 14:09

The 717 looks nice in Midwest Express c/s!
How many 717 where there actually built?

Robin_Bamps · Post by **Robin_Bamps** » 24 May 2006, 15:00

fokker_f27 wrote:How many 717 where there actually built?

In the article linked by CXRules they mention 156 built 717-airframes.

Regards, Robin Bamps.

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 24 May 2006, 16:58

More Pictures here:

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/20 ... dWest.html