The good old DC9 spawned a long line of modern jets (Photo: Aero Icarus / Flickr)
Pilots, planespotters and aviation buffs can quickly recognize nearly every aircraft type from the ground or in the air.
But it’s not so easy for the rest of us.
To help TravelSkills readers confidently recognize what they see overhead or out on the runway, we are going to offer up a series of posts dedicated to Planespotting 101.
Today, let’s start small and take a look at the Boeing 717, MD-80/90 series. All were based on the good old DC-9 (built between 1965 and 1982), which means they all look very similar to the untrained eye.
Here’s a look at the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737
Delta retired its last DC-9 in January 2014.
Boeing 717 (Photo: Aero Icarus / Flickr)
Hawaiian and Delta are the only two US airlines operating Boeing 717s (Prayitno / Flickr)
The most distinguishing feature of Boeing 717s, the smallest Boeing plane, is its T-shaped tail with engines at the back flanking either side of the tail.
717s are operated in the U.S. only by Hawaiian Airlines and Delta Air Lines. (AirTran’s 717s were retired at the end of 2014).
The fuselage on an MD-80/90 tends to be longer than the 717 (Mr.TinDC / Flickr)
A Swiss MD-83 (Aero Icarus / Flickr)
The MD-80 family (mostly flown by Allegiant, American and Delta) and MD-90 planes (mostly flown by Delta) have similar features like the T-shaped tail with smaller, thinner engines on either side, and a “pinched” tailcone. (See the “pointy” cone on the DC-9 at the top to compare.) No other commercial aircraft has a T-shaped tail, with the exception of regional jets.
Look for the unpainted outline near the top of the T on the 717
The easiest way to tell the difference between at MD-80/90 and a Boeing 717? The 717 has an unpainted outline near the “stabilizer” at the top of the tail’s T shape. See it on the Hawaiian Airlines 717 to the right? It’s not there on the MD80/90 series. Also, check the engines. The 717 engines are fatter compared to most MD80/90 engines which are narrower and have more tapered ends. Also, the fuselage on the MD-80/90 series tends to be longer than the 717.
What’s best about flying on one of these plane? I’d have to say sitting in first class– with the engines so far away from the front, all you can hear is the wind whistling by your window and the ice cubes tinkling in your cocktail 🙂
Please share your planespotting tips or advice in the comments below! How do YOU tell the difference between a 717 and MD-80 or 90?
Here’s a look at the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737
Aer Lingus sees green in U.S. [PHOTOS]
Putting a wrap on airport security checkpoints
5 key questions to ask at hotel check-in
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You can’t tell by the tailcone. They are removable and most now have the wedge tail.
MD-80 series planes have a long fuselage and the thin low-bypass jet engines (737-100 and -200 had them too, as well as DC-9s and some others). MD-90s are even a little longer with high-bypass jet engines (the same as many A320 series planes have). 717s have even fatter high-bypass jet engines but a short fuselage.
When AirTran was bought by Southwest, Southwest eventually sold the 717s to Delta (AirTran’s 717’s therefore are now at Delta). Note all of those have N###AT tail numbers. Delta is on the prowl for more 717s and MD-90s on the used market, as they’re reasonably new and fuel efficient but very inexpensive compared to new planes as they are no longer made.
Thanks! I’m still reading and am still a flight radar addict ?
For anyone still actually reading these posts I will tell you that my father just turned me onto FlightRadar24 (worth the $3.99) and its awesome! I live in Tampa and unfortunately working near the airport for years I already know all the planes. You can always tell when the MD80’s, 87’s etc. take off! Unmistakable roar from those engines!
I look at the thrust reverser for distinguishing between an MD 80/90, B 717, if you can’t see the entire length because of angle. The MD 80 has two pointed guides for the thrust reverser. The MD 90 has no outward sign of the thrust reverser until it is deployed. The B717 has clearly outlined thrust reverser doors on the top and bottom. When they are deployed, it’s even easier to spot.
Agreed with the 717 lovers. I rode on the first ever 717 in service on AirTran a few weeks after it was certified. It was so much nicer than the DC-9, and (as others have mentioned) much more powerful. The push back during takeoff is noticeable.
One other way to tell an MD80 from the MD90 is on the vertical stabilizer. On the MD90, the vertical stabilizer extends maybe 12 – 15 inches above the horizontal stabilizer. On the MD80 it looks to be maybe 6 inches. If you could post a photo of the MD80 tail side view next to the MD90 side view you could see the difference.
A delta captian told me the easy way to tell an MD-90 from the 88 was the engines. The 90 was for the areas high altitude airports where they needed extra thrust for departure and still keep all of the passengers on. The 90 engine is fat and the 88 is long and thin. If you have every been to Vegas in the summer they sometimes have to remove passengers to me weight and balance.
Excellent, very helpful info. I’m going to update post with the tip about the unpainted outline at the top of the T! Thanks, RD. — chris Plus, I’m going to add “rivet counting” to my verbal repertoire 🙂
The way I taught my son to quickly spot a 717 was to look at the tail. In your two photographs above you can noticed an unpainted “outline” where the horizontal stabilizer connects to the vertical stabilizer. This is unique to the 717. The 717 was originally to be named the MD-95 prior to the Boeing acquisition.
For the Delta MD88/MD90 you can look at the engines. From the back you will see a smaller opening on the MD88 and a larger on the MD90.
MD88 o|o
MD90 O|O
American operates the MD80 which they call the Super 80 (S80). They used to paint Super 80 on the nose, but since this is the only variant left it is easy to guess that all of AA plans are Super 80s
It is easy to get into a “rivet counting” discussions when you start looking at all the models produced.
Two engines on the tail and no winglets usually means a DC, MD or 717 variant.
Scott have you ever used FlightRadar24 app? It’s an immense help for armchair planespotters like me who spend a lot of time guessing! 🙂 The paid version is worth it!
Chris – loved this. I think I sat in Dolores Park one day and tried to figure out which plane was which as they were taking off from Oakland. Now I know a bit more. I loved the 717 when I took it on Qantas a couple years ago. Such a great ride.
I love the 717. It suffered from bad timing. It really has advanced avionics and packs the power. It didn’t deserve its short life. Delta stole them from Southwest. Smart business move.
Thanks, SJ! Good, simple, nontechnical explanation. Just what we’re asking for 🙂
Chris
Simple, Hawaiian and Delta are the only two US airlines operating Boeing 717s
Allegiant, American and Delta are the ones that fly MD 80/90s.
In trying guess which plane for Delta, the shorter one is the 717. If you can’t tell just flip a coin because frankly it doesn’t even matter.
Like trying to tell what is a 747, 747SP or a 747 series 8, it doesn’t matter it’s a 747.
Thanks, guys. What we are trying to to here is help folks spot the difference between a 717 and a MD80/90 series in general layman’s terms. How would you do that? Would appreciate your tips and suggestions! Thanks! –chris
Totally agree with BlueLion. This article isn’t accurate at all. Also something that wasn’t brought up in the article is that there is the MD-87 (although fewer in numbers) which at a distance can be difficult to distinguish from the 717.
You’re mistaken. The MD-90 has much bigger engines than the MD-80 series. The MD-90 series has the more powerful, quieter and fuel efficient IAE V2500 engines instead of the JT8D engines, which power the MD-80 series. The 717 is shorter than the MD-90 and is powered by Rolls Royce engines. The MD-80 not only have the smallest engines it is a little shorter than the MD-90. It should be noted that the 717 and MD-90 were not popular with the airlines, selling very few of each model.