Douglas DC-9-30

The Douglas DC‑9‑30 is a stretched variant of the original DC‑9 series, introduced by the Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967 and produced until the merger that created McDonnell Douglas in 1979. Extending the fuselage by roughly 12 feet, the DC‑9‑30 could accommodate between 115 and 133 passengers, depending on cabin layout, and offered a higher take‑off weight that enabled longer routes while retaining the short‑field performance that made the DC‑9 popular with regional carriers. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D low‑bypass turbofan engines, the aircraft featured a conventional low‑wing design, a retractable tricycle landing gear, and a simple hydraulic flight‑control system that contributed to its reputation for reliability and low operating costs. The model quickly became a workhorse for airlines such as United, American, and smaller European and Latin‑American carriers, and many were later converted into freighters or military transport variants. Its longevity—over 200 aircraft remained in service into the 2010s—demonstrates the DC‑9‑30’s impact on the evolution of narrow‑body jet transport, influencing later designs like the Boeing 737 and the MD‑80 series. Today, a handful of restored examples are displayed in aviation museums, preserving its legacy for future generations.

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