Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas MD-88 “Mad Dog”
The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 is a narrow-body, short-to-medium-haul commercial jet that was a popular workhorse for many domestic and regional airlines in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s. It was an improved variant of the DC-9 series, featuring more efficient engines and updated avionics.
Serving as a reliable and economical short-to-medium-range jet that bridged the gap between older DC-9 models and newer narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737
The MD-88 earned the affectionate nickname 'Mad Dog' among pilots and aviation enthusiasts due to its robust performance and distinctive engine configuration with rear-mounted engines
Cabin Environment
How the McDonnell Douglas MD-88 affects jetlag recovery
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
47.7 m
Length
32.8 m
Wingspan
6.9 m
Height
Performance
4,635 km
Range
815 km/h
Cruise Speed
2× Pratt & Whitney JT8D
Engines
McDonnell Douglas Family
Related aircraft variants
How It Compares
vs. Boeing 737-300
✓Slightly longer range (4635 km vs 4204 km)
✗Potentially lower fuel efficiency
vs. Airbus A320-200
✓Potentially lower operating costs
✗Smaller passenger capacity (172 vs 180)
vs. Boeing 727-200
✓More modern avionics and design
✗Less historical operational experience