The DC-9 is an important aircraft in narrowbody development history and has been a commercial success for Douglas - and later McDonnell Douglas. Taking into account its successors (the MD-80, MD-90 and Boeing 717), the series remained in production from 1965 right up to 2006. Incredibly, a small number of original DC-9 aircraft remain in service - although not in regularly scheduled use.

The McDonell Douglas DC-9

Douglas introduced the DC-9 in 1965. It was designed as a new short to medium range narrowbody to complement the DC-8. This was also a narrowbody but longer range, and higher capacity, with four engines. The DC-9 would give Douglas a serious offering in this smaller capacity market and a more efficient twin-engine offering. This was still over two years before the Boeing 737 entered service, so such an offering would stack up well against aircraft such as the Boeing 727.

The first Douglas DC-9 entered service in December 1965 with Delta Air Lines. It was a great success for Douglas, with 976 aircraft produced up to 1982, eventually becoming the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 after the merger. That was not the end of the aircraft, though. It went on to be developed into the MD-80 (originally the DC-9-80) - a lengthened version with higher passenger and fuel capacity. Further updates led to the MD-90 and MD-95. As the Boeing 717, this last version remained in production right up to 2006.

26 aircraft still flying in 2022

The later MD-80, MD-90 and Boeing 717 all remain in service. With their later constriction, this is not so surprising. The original DC-9, though is now becoming much rarer, although it still remains in service - almost 60 years after it first took to the skies.

The original adopter of the DC-9 - Delta Air Lines - went on to be one of the largest operators, with 305 aircraft in the fleet since 1965. It was the last of the major US carriers to retire the type - with its last flight in January 2014.

No major airlines still operate the DC-9 in 2022, but 26 aircraft still remain active (according to data from ch-aviation.com).

The majority of DC-9s are in cargo service

It is not unusual for older aircraft to end their lives in cargo service. The only remaining DC-8 aircraft in 2022 are in cargo services in the Americas and Africa. The DC-9 has ended up in a similar situation. 21 of the 26 active aircraft are with cargo operators in the US, Mexico, and Africa. These comprise:

• 11 aircraft with Aeronaves TSM in Mexico. The airline operates out of several airports in Mexico and has an active fleet of 35 aircraft (including 15 MD-80 aircraft alongside its DC-9s). All of its DC-9s are over 50 years old.
• Six aircraft with USA Jet Airlines. It operates out of Detroit Willow Run (YIP) airport, with three MD-80s and two Boeing 727s alongside its DC-9s.
• Three aircraft with Ameristar Charters in the US. It is based at Dallas Addison Airport (ADS) and operates passenger and cargo charters. Its DC-9s, though, are cargo conversions and are not used for passenger service.
• One aircraft with Astral Aviation, a cargo airline based in Nairobi.

Military and government use

Most of the other aircraft are in government service in the US. Three aircraft are in service with the US Navy. These are the C-9 variant, produced specifically for the US military and used for passenger transport and medical flights. One further aircraft was previously with the US Navy, but has been used by the United States National Nuclear Security Administration since 2003. It is still listed as active but appears it could now be stored and out of use.

One aircraft in passenger service

The final active DC-9 is with African Express Airways, based in Nairobi. This is the only DC-9 to still be registered to a scheduled passenger airline. African Express Airways only operates two aircraft - the DC-9 (with registration 5Y-AXP) and one MD-82 aircraft. At just over 40 years old, it is younger than the other cargo DC-9s still in service.

It was in fact first in service with US Airways from 1981 to 2001, Mexicana until 2005, and after short periods with some smaller Asian and African airlines, it ended up with African Express Airways in 2017. Sadly, it could be on its way out of service. Although still listed as active, it has not been seen flying recently (unlike the MD-82, which is operating daily).

The DC-9 has an important place in aircraft development and fleet history - especially amongst US airlines. Feel free to discuss your memories of it in the comments. And let us know if you have seen any of the still active DC-9s recently.