IATA D91ICAO DC91

Douglas DC-9-10

Douglas

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Douglas's pioneering short-haul twin-jet airliner.

First flight

1965

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

60–90 passengers

Range

1,900 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofans, rear-mounted

Status

Retired

The Douglas DC-9-10 is the original and shortest-fuselage variant of the DC-9 family, introduced in the mid-1960s as a short-to-medium-range narrow-body jet. Designed to serve smaller regional routes and thinner markets, it featured a rear-mounted twin-engine configuration and a T-tail design that became a hallmark of the series. The aircraft entered service with Delta Air Lines in December 1965 and quickly attracted orders from numerous carriers seeking an efficient jet for shorter sectors. Its low-slung fuselage enabled airstair boarding without ground equipment, making it well-suited for airports with limited facilities. Production of the DC-9-10 totaled 137 aircraft before Douglas shifted focus to the stretched variants that followed. Though the type has been largely retired from commercial service, a small number continued operating with smaller carriers and in cargo roles well into the 2000s.

Notable operators

Major operators included Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, North Central Airlines, and Ozark Air Lines.

Notable facts

›First flight occurred on February 25, 1965.
›Delta Air Lines was the launch customer, placing the type into revenue service in December 1965.
›The DC-9-10 featured integral airstairs, allowing boarding without airport jetways.
›137 aircraft of this initial variant were built before production shifted to longer variants.
›Its rear-engine, T-tail layout directly influenced the Boeing 717 and MD-80/90 family lineage.