IATA D94ICAO DC94

Douglas DC-9-40

Douglas

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Stretched DC-9 variant optimized for Scandinavian operations.

First flight

1968

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

115–125 passengers

Range

2,780 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofans, rear-mounted

Status

Retired

The Douglas DC-9-40 is a stretched variant of the DC-9 family, developed primarily at the request of Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS). It features a fuselage stretch over the DC-9-30, allowing capacity for approximately 125 passengers in a typical single-class layout. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines, the -40 series retained the rear-mounted twin-engine configuration characteristic of all DC-9 variants. It entered service in the late 1960s and served as a reliable short-to-medium-haul workhorse for its operators. Production of the DC-9-40 was relatively limited compared to other DC-9 variants, with only around 71 aircraft built. The type has been largely retired from commercial service, though a small number continued operating into the 21st century with various carriers.

Notable operators

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) was the primary launch and largest operator; other operators included Hawaiian Airlines and Finnair.

Notable facts

›The DC-9-40 was developed specifically to meet SAS requirements for increased passenger capacity.
›Approximately 71 aircraft of the -40 series were built, making it one of the less numerous DC-9 variants.
›The -40 featured a fuselage stretch compared to the DC-9-30, adding several rows of seating.
›It shares the rear twin-engine T-tail configuration common to all DC-9 family members.
›The DC-9 family formed the basis for the later MD-80, MD-90, and Boeing 717 series.