JAL (New Livery) MD-81

MD81

The McDonnell Douglas MD-81 is the initial production variant of the MD-80 family of twin-engine narrow-body commercial jetliners. Entering service in 1980, the MD-81 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-209 turbofan engines and has a seating capacity of up to 172 passengers in a high-density, single-class configuration. With a range of approximately 1,600 nautical miles, the MD-81 is optimized for short- to medium-haul operations. It features a stretched fuselage compared to its DC-9 predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo capacity, along with an updated flight deck with modern avionics. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) was a major customer for the MD-81, using it extensively on European routes. The MD-81 shares the same fundamental airframe and systems architecture as the rest of the MD-80 family, making it easy to operate alongside other variants within a mixed fleet. Though production has ended and many have been retired, the MD-81 laid the groundwork for the highly successful MD-80 series that became a staple of short-haul commercial aviation.

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