A Sight No More: Delta Air Line's "Mad Dogs"

Today was a sad day for us AvGeeks and an end of an era for commercial aviation, as Delta Air Lines retired both their fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-90 and MD-88 twin-jets from operational service. Appropriately, the final flights of each type were given flight numbers DL88 (an MD-88 operated from Washington-Dulles to Atlanta) and DL90 (an MD-90 operated from Houston to Atlanta) respectively.

Both variants of the "Mad Dog" were workhorses of the Delta Air Lines fleet since the 1980s and 90s, operating domestic and short-haul international routes. The McDonnell Douglas fleet was originally brought in to replace the airline's older Boeing 727-200s and 737-200s. The MD-88s have been a part of Delta's fleet since their initial delivery. Delta was also the launch customer for the MD-90, with the airline picking up second-hand airframes from other operators over the years until they became the only, and eventually last operator of the updated derivative of the MD-80/DC-9 family.

Delta was originally going to retire their MD-88 fleet by the end of the year and the MD-90 by 2022. However as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on the aviation industry with the sharp decline in demand for air travel changed all that. In order to reduce operational expenses and slow down the hemorrhaging of money during this time of economic downturn, the airline has been forced to accelerate the retirement of their "Mad Dog" fleet. Sadly, the MD-88s and MD-90s aren't getting much of a fanfare send-off they deserve from the airline for their retirement due to the ongoing crisis and the resultant health and safety measures enacted.

Delta retiring their MD-88s marks the end of an era as they were the last scheduled operator of the MD-80 family. Now, the only operators are a few charter and cargo carriers, a handful converted for aerial firefighting, as well as airlines outside the United States. While there are still a handful of MD-80 operators out there, the MD-90 is a much sadder case as Delta was the final operator of the type, so the type is no longer flying despite it being younger on average.

While there haven't been any mention of such actions, I hope there are plans or opportunities in place to put at least one MD-90 and one MD-88 on permanent museum display somewhere... In commemoration of the last of the regularly-scheduled "Mad Dog" flights, here's a montage of all the airframes I've photographed in the past eight years:

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N933DN). First delivered to Scandinavian Airlines-SAS as SE-DMH before getting leased to Nordic Leisure, then Blue1 Airlines, and then Nordic Regional. Returned to Blue1 and re-registered as OH-BLF before finding it's way into Delta's fleet.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N904DA). First delivered in March 1995, this MD-90 spent its entire life flying for Delta.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N943DN). Former JA003D with Japan Air System-JAS, and then Japan Airlines Domestic, and finally Japan Airlines before going to Delta.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N942DN). Former Japan Air System-JAS and later Japan Airlines JA002D.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N934DN). First delivered to Scandinavian Airlines-SAS as LN-ROB before being re-registered as HB-JIF and leased to Hello AG, and later by Iceland Express before going to Delta.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N944DN). Former Japan Air System and later Japan Airlines JA004D.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N945DN). Former JA005D with Japan Air System and later Japan Airlines.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N924DN). First delivered to China Eastern Airlines as B-2263 before acquisition by Delta.

The last Delta "Mad Dog" and the only MD-88 I ever got to photograph:

McDonnell Douglas MD-88 (N912DL).

Delivered in December 1987, this "Mad Dog" has spent its entire life flying for Delta!

I owe NBA team, the New Orleans Pelicans for the opportunity to catch this "Mad Dog." And little did I know it at the time too!

After getting nothing but MD-90s, it seemed fitting to me as an aviation photographer that the final Delta "Mad Dog" I got to see was an MD-88!

The "Mad Dog" legacy will remain somewhat with the Boeing 717-200 (originally developed as the MD-95), which Delta continues to operate. The MD-80 and MD-90 will retain a legendary status among AvGeeks and live on as that emblematic aircraft in the history of commercial aviation. Long live the "Mad Dog!"