Delta's last DC-9 passenger jet takes final flight

Almost 50 years after it became part of Delta Air Lines’ fleet, the company retired its last DC-9 passenger jet following a final flight from Atlanta to Minneapolis Monday night.

The last flight was designated Delta 1965 in honor of the year that the first DC-9 model began flying for the company. McDonnell-Douglas built the last DC-9 in 1982, more than 30 years ago.

Even as other airlines retired their DC-9s, Delta kept the model in service after inheriting a large fleet of the passenger planes in its merger with Northwest Airlines.

The DC-9 is recognizable because of its distinctive T-tail design. But the McDonnell-Douglas MD-80 series, MD-90 and the Boeing 717 are all based on the design of the DC-9, and many of those models are still airborne.

It’s possible that the airline will still use the DC-9 as a substitute for planes that are out of service for repairs.

[Wired News]