IATA D93ICAO DC93

Douglas DC-9-30

Douglas

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Stretched workhorse that defined short-haul jet travel.

First flight

1966

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

115–125 passengers (typical)

Range

2,400 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofans, rear-mounted

Status

Retired (from most passenger service)

The Douglas DC-9-30 is the most successful and widely produced variant of the DC-9 family, featuring a fuselage stretch over the original Series 10 that allowed for greater passenger capacity. Introduced in the late 1960s, it quickly became a staple of short- to medium-haul airline operations across the United States and internationally. Powered by two rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines, the DC-9-30 offered airlines a reliable and economical twin-engine narrowbody suited for high-frequency routes. Its aft-engine, T-tail configuration kept the wing clean and allowed for a low cabin floor, easing passenger boarding. The DC-9-30 formed the foundation upon which McDonnell Douglas developed subsequent DC-9 variants and ultimately the MD-80 series. Hundreds were built and served with dozens of carriers worldwide for decades, with a small number remaining in freight service well into the 21st century.

Notable operators

Major operators included Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, Allegheny Airlines, North Central Airlines, Ozark Air Lines, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), and Swissair.

Notable facts

›The DC-9-30 was the best-selling DC-9 variant, with over 660 built.
›Its fuselage was stretched approximately 4.5 metres compared to the original DC-9-10.
›The rear-mounted engine layout freed the wing of pylons, improving aerodynamic efficiency.
›It served as the basis for the later MD-80 and MD-90 families.
›Some DC-9-30 airframes were converted to freighters and continued flying cargo well into the 2000s.