McDonnell Douglas MD-80
Last updated: 2026-04-21
The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a 155-seat, rear-engine, T-tail narrow-body powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 turbofans, operated by SAS and Alitalia and progressively retiring from European service. It is a workhorse of European EASA general-aviation training fleets, used at both DTO and ATO operators for hour-building and rating progression. undefined
What is the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 used for in flight training?
The MD-80 type rating is increasingly specialised as European fleets retire the type in favour of A320 family and 737NG aircraft. Key MD-80 training competencies include T-tail deep stall awareness, high-altitude manual reversion, and JT8D engine management procedures that differ significantly from modern CFM or IAE powerplants. The MD-80 remains historically significant as the aircraft that defined medium-range European operations for two decades.