AA no more new planes 'till 2013.

[CX880]

According to newsweek. Aren't most of their Md80s made in the 70s? Could they fly that long?

 

[aa73]

According to newsweek. Aren't most of their Md80s made in the 70s? Could they fly that long?

Oldest MD80 (N203AA) delivered in 1984. They will stay around till 2017, at least. Good plane, makes the company money, low break even loads.

As far as new aircraft deliveries, we are supposed to get a few 737s and 777s in 2013. Regarding the 787, more than a few rumors are flying around.

 

[fokkerjet]

According to newsweek. Aren't most of their Md80s made in the 70s? Could they fly that long?

First produced MD80 was SN48000 (LN909) and was produced in October, 1979, and I think American took delivery of their first MD80, SN 49145 (LN 1097) in May, 1983. Their last MD80 was the last produced (delivered to TWA) SN53634 (LN2287), in December, 1999.

 

[Reebo]

According to newsweek. Aren't most of their Md80s made in the 70s? Could they fly that long?

Ask Northwest. If you're willing to keep up on the mx work, they could fly forever. Great airplane from what I hear. They will sure last longer than the ERJ that I fly

 

[aa73]

I think American took delivery of their first MD80, SN 49145 (LN 1097) in May, 1983.

I gladly defer to those who know more than me. Sounds about right... N203AA has around 67,000 hours and still going strong.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

I hear that one of our A-model Saabs has over 60,000 "cycles"...

 

[johnsonrod]

For pax, those MD80s couldn't be more junky. Sure, AA earns money with them, but the flying experience is not that great...

 

[conman]

For pax, those MD80s couldn't be more junky. Sure, AA earns money with them, but the flying experience is not that great...

Passengers aren't looking for a flying experience. They are simply looking for a cheap ticket!!!!

 

[pilot141]

For pax, those MD80s couldn't be more junky. Sure, AA earns money with them, but the flying experience is not that great...

<------- pprune forums are that-a-way. Enjoy your stay here!

 

[Saabslime]

I hear that one of our A-model Saabs has over 60,000 "cycles"...

That wouldn't be aircraft #27 would it? Lot's of memories in that old bird.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

Sure is! And she's still out there workin' hard!

 

[AA717driver]

I'd rather fly a 30 year old Douglas product that a brand new Airbus. TC

 

[aa73]

I'd rather fly a 30 year old Douglas product that a brand new Airbus. TC

Hear, hear!

How bout some 30 year old F/As to go with the Douglas. Am I asking too much?

 

[aa73]

For pax, those MD80s couldn't be more junky. Sure, AA earns money with them, but the flying experience is not that great...

Well, there are definitely some better aircraft out there for pax. But I suspect AA is in it to make money first. So the 80s will be around for awhile. Sorry, pax!

 

[3BCat]

I'd rather fly a 30 year old Douglas product that a brand new Airbus. TC

Comfort, Shmumfort, eh? I've never flown a Douglass, but I've flown some 30 year old planes, and I've flown the Airbus. I'll take the Airbus, in a heartbeat. Thank-you very much.

 

[flyer172r]

For pax, those MD80s couldn't be more junky. Sure, AA earns money with them, but the flying experience is not that great...

None of the airlines care about the passengers' flying experience, or customer service. All they care about is the money.

 

[:-)]

For pax, those MD80s couldn't be more junky. Sure, AA earns money with them, but the flying experience is not that great...

I always enjoy it when the uninformed speak up. I ride AA Super80's quite frequently and as a passenger I'd like to say; AA MD80's offer: better seat bottoms than narrow body AA Boeings, better rides in chop (the -80 just doesn't wallow like a Boeing or Bus) and AA keeps them clean.

If you think that an AA Super80 is junky, that only proves that you don't ride some of the LCC airplanes very often.

 

[3BCat]

None of the airlines care about the passengers' flying experience, or customer service. All they care about is the money.

Tell me you've never heard of JetBlue.

 

[flyer172r]

Tell me you've never heard of JetBlue.

Good point, I stand corrected.

Honestly, I've never flown on JetBlue so I can't say for sure what flying on them is like. It just seems like for the past few years customer service just keeps going down, and management just doesn't seem to care. Next time I'll say most airlines don't care instead of all, how 'bout that? :beer:

 

[rptrain]

According to newsweek. Aren't most of their Md80s made in the 70s?

ummm... they called it the MD-80 for a reason.

 

[GogglesPisano]

I fly a 15-yr-old Douglas product, and the A320 cockpit is by far more comfortable and ergonomic. Absolutely no comparison.

The destinations and type of flying on the other hand ... the MD11 wins hands down.

 

[conman]

None of the airlines care about the passengers' flying experience, or customer service. All they care about is the money.

And the oil companies want to provide you with cheapr fuel, and the insurance companies will only raise their premiums with the cpi and on and on and on.

 

[conman]

Tell me you've never heard of JetBlue.

Jetblue has seat back tv's. That is their angle

 

[3BCat]

Good point, I stand corrected.

Honestly, I've never flown on JetBlue so I can't say for sure what flying on them is like. It just seems like for the past few years customer service just keeps going down, and management just doesn't seem to care. Next time I'll say most airlines don't care instead of all, how 'bout that? :beer:

No worries. I know what you are talking about, though. Too many MBA's in aviation who are only in it for themselves, regardless of how the rest of the airline is doing.

 

[D-Bo]

I'd rather fly a 30 year old Douglas product that a brand new Airbus. TC

You must not have ever flown a brand new Airbus.

 

[Izzy Roxx]

The -80 is a piece of Crap, pig.

I hope I never fly the thing again.

First time I turned in the thing I was contemplating ejecting.

 

[aa73]

The -80 is a piece of Crap, pig.

I hope I never fly the thing again.

First time I turned in the thing I was contemplating ejecting.

I won't argue that the Airbus is a more comfortable cockpit/ride/experience. It beats the Boeings hands down.

However, if you want to hand fly a REAL pilot's airplane that doesn't need button pushes/ joystick forces, the DC-9/MD80/727/old 737s can't be beat.

All of my buds who fly A320 says it just ain't a pilot's airplane and not very "hand flying friendly." Of course there are always those that don't like hand flying, in which case the 320 fits them well.

I love getting into an old '84-era Super 80 with the "institutional green" cockpit and nothing but steam gauges. Rolling down the runway, rotating using good ol' fashioned cables, tuning in VORs and hand flying with no FD. Call me a nostalgic fool, but those are my roots.

Someday I'll have to spend hours in a "glass cockpit" using nothing but FMS, IRUs, EICAS (Whatever that means) etc, etc. So I'm having fun with the LRDs (little round dials) for the time being.

P.s. The -80 makes you learn how to anticipate real well, once you get used to it, it's a blast to fly. You all can keep your Airbii.

 

[3BCat]

Time flies, so enjoy it while you can. (Do you miss the "Coffee Grinder" ADF, too?)

 

[Clyde]

I love getting into an old '84-era Super 80 with the "institutional green" cockpit and nothing but steam gauges. Rolling down the runway, rotating using good ol' fashioned cables, tuning in VORs and hand flying with no FD. Call me a nostalgic fool, but those are my roots.

aa73,

the best part about that kind of flying is the lack of the phrase "what is it doing now?"

 

[AA717driver]

Hummm...2013. That should coincide with my recall. TC

P.S.--aa73--a friend at Spirit who was a TWA -80 CA said the same thing you did. He hates the bus. "Third-world airplane" is what he calls it. That's why I liked the 717 so much--all the electronic goodies but still fly-by-cable. Perfect.