Douglas DC-9-10

The Douglas DC‑9‑10 is the original variant of the DC‑9 family, a short‑range, twin‑engine jetliner produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company beginning in 1965. Designed to serve the growing market for low‑cost, high‑frequency airline operations, the DC‑9‑10 featured a narrow fuselage, a T‑tail and two rear‑mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines, which allowed a clean wing design and short‑field performance. Its 88‑seat passenger capacity and ability to operate from runways as short as 4,500 feet made it popular with regional carriers and commuter airlines, especially in the United States and Europe. The aircraft’s robust construction, simple systems, and low operating costs contributed to a production run of 158 units before the line was succeeded by the larger DC‑9‑20 and DC‑9‑30 models. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the DC‑9‑10 served as a workhorse for major airlines such as United, Delta and Southwest, helping to shape the modern hub‑and‑spoke network. Its legacy endures as the direct ancestor of the Boeing 717 and as a catalyst for the development of efficient, short‑haul jet transport that remains a cornerstone of commercial aviation today. The type remained in service with some operators well into the 21st century, demonstrating its lasting reliability.

Douglas

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