Flying on the oldest aircraft in American Airlines fleet
Back in July 2019, I flew American Airlines on their last McDonnell Douglas MD-82 from Dallas to Houston in Economy. At the time of the flight, this aircraft was over 29 years old, making it the oldest aircraft in the fleet. AA's once 350+ MD-80 fleet was retired back in September 2019 in favor of more fuel-efficient aircraft such as the A220 or newer A320/737s.
The "Mad Dog" holds a special place in most aviation geek's hearts.
The aircraft that I flew, N501AA, has since been donated to Lewis University for aviation maintenance study.
Follow @quintinsoloviev on Instagram & @qfsaviation on Twitter to keep up with my travels!
FLIGHT INFORMATION
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Airline: American Airlines
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (N501AA)
Seat: 15F (Economy)
Flight Number: AA574
Route: DFW to IAH
Flight Time: 40 minutes
Date of Travel: July 28, 2019
PRICING
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Total Price: $358
Total Routing: MSY-DFW-IAH
Booking Location: aa.com
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MERCHANDISE: teespring.com/stores/qfs-avia...
WEBSITE: www.qfsaviation.com/
SECOND CHANNEL: / @quintinsoloviev
EQUIPMENT: Panasonic GH5, GoPro Hero7
MUSIC: Epidemic
INSTAGRAM: @quintinsoloviev, @qfsaviation
TWITTER: @qfsaviation
Let me know in the comments if you have any future video ideas!
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© 2020 QFS Aviation
Пікірлер: 254
That old American livery was the best and most iconic one in the skies. I'm praying that they reintroduce it as their primary livery once again sometime soon. Also, I always found the rear-engine planes (namely the MD-80 series and the 717) to be a more comfortable flight.
@jr13227
4 жыл бұрын
Sadly they won’t. Newer planes they’re acquiring like airbuses from U.S. and 787s aren’t built with the right material to be polished aluminum.
@_GT-ep7nc
Жыл бұрын
@@jr13227 Yeah I wish but it's a better idea it's a lot lighter so better fuel efficiency
@yamahaguy1732
Жыл бұрын
@@_GT-ep7nc A lot of the new aircraft are made entirely out of composite materials so sadly in the future it won’t be possible.
@ron3557
Жыл бұрын
@@yamahaguy1732 sad. The gray livery fucking sucks. I want the silver one back so much. Same with united. Uniteds gray livery with bottom half being blue was the best. Man why do companies downgrade their good stuff
@yamahaguy1732
Жыл бұрын
@@ron3557 yeah it’s unfortunate. Main reason American cut the silver is because they would hire people on specifically to polish the skin and it would take quite a bit of time so they wanted to cheap out and cut that cost to they went on to paining the aircraft. While panting is still time consuming and requires precise measurements of paint and whatnot it’s still less labor intensive and less money that polishing.
5:39 Interesting to see that they have the md80 in the current livery in the magazine. Also interesting to see that Delta modernized their 88's with wifi, new paneling, seats, and mood lighting.
The Fabric on those seats brings back so much nostalgia. I flew on two MD 80’s When I was younger. I didn’t think much of it because I wasn’t in to aviation at that time. Looking back at it now makes me think how lucky I was to get on a classic Mad Dog.
@quack10
4 жыл бұрын
I as well took many flights on the Mad Dog during my college years from STL - DFW - BUR.....The GREAT Ole days!!!!
@afcacbs8544
4 жыл бұрын
I can relate. I flew with it from DTW to DCA in 2013 but I didn’t give shit back then
10:01 The plane flew over my college! I love seeing planes landing from the parking lot.
I MIIIIIIIISS this plane, and am beyond disappointed I missed flying on it, the 727, and now most recently, the 767. I grew up flying those and miss the sound and everything about those jets.
@user-ng4tf2oq7s
4 жыл бұрын
Delta still flies some. Plus Hawaiian and delta also have large 717 fleets which will be around for atleast a handful of years.
@ImEpic854
2 ай бұрын
38 727s are still in service but just like the A300, they are freighters, meanwhile, the 767 is still on service.
when i look at this livery i can feel pure metal surface!!!
I love flying the MD-80's. They might be old, but I loved the 2-3 configuration.
@michellocci
4 жыл бұрын
U loved configuration md80 that is all ? I thought u love the design lol not about configuration
@GenkisTravels
4 жыл бұрын
@@michellocci I do love the design, all modern planes are starting to look the same lol.
@BritanniaPacific
4 жыл бұрын
I’ve only flown twice on these planes. First on the 3 side, second on the 2 side. Both by the windows behind the wings. How often can you fly in a 2-3 seat cabin? Never!
@Tev928
4 жыл бұрын
Genki's Travels me too!!! When I would schedule a trip I would always pick these planes because of the configuration. I hate that soon this won’t be an option. Now I’ll have to sit next to some guy that smells funny. Gonna miss the ole MadDog 😩
@DeltaDawnB767
4 жыл бұрын
Delta MD88 is gone :(
Nice to see the old girl again. I flew on them from the early 70’s when they were DC 9s! They always felt “solid” in the air but to me were a bit claustrophobic. I would avoid them as much as possible. Thank you for sharing.
Love this video...I flew on an AA MD-80 from Chicago to Denver. Best flight I've ever been on. The power of those engines are phenomenal; especially on those steep takeoffs!
7:18 no kidding that whole kind of series of aircraft (DC-9, MD-80, MD-90, 717) could be used as fighter jets if need be
@coydog7902
4 жыл бұрын
That would be fuxking aweosme
@redshirt5126
4 жыл бұрын
Just strap some sidewinders and gun ports under the wings and be like, "Say hello to my little friends!"
I remember back in the mid-90's....Northwest had three older DC-9's with over 100,000 cycles on them and they were still flying. The DC-9/MD-80 series aircraft were very reliable and built like a brick shithouse.
@paulrom446
Жыл бұрын
I've flown on NW's DC-9'S Series 31 through 51's! Good work 🐴🐎 workhorses Nice rides!
@bengiarraputo9357
Жыл бұрын
Yes! One used to come into Philly from Detroit every morn.
Thank you for sharing this Quintin! That brings lots of memories back for me! I still remember flying on many Ozark Airlines DC9's many years ago! I've flown a few of the MD 80's as well but unfortunately it's been so long ago. I last flew (commercially) when Northwest Airlines still flew. Also Northwest Air Link. NWA Air Link flew CRJ 200's. I really liked those aircraft as well! I always appreciate your channel! Always with full respect! Mark in Iowa.
You all are still rocking I drive 18 hour days 7 days a week and I listen to y'all it's so relaxing Thanks much Keep rocking
Amazing video, Quintin. For a second it happened to me that watching this video on HD and seeing the old AA livery, I just said, wait, am I right? Amazing report! Thanks for being one of the best trip reporters!!!
Very cool. I flew on the MD-82 (reg: N7537A) from Dallas to Austin back in Feb 2014 just days before it was retired.
tonight's Q re-view is of this last of 3 MD80 flights on a sunday afternoon. this is just for fun flying and i really enjoyed this video. good job qman and thanks for sharing!!
Great video as always "from the vault !!"......The MD 82 reminds me here in Australia of the DC 9's....which traversed our country for many many years !! Re Livery...Singapore Airlines has not changed in a thousand years....Qantas have various themes on some aircraft but the Flying Kangaroo remains each time.!! Who needs IFE with great views out the window !! Thanks for this report on an iconic aircraft..well done and hope you are safe and well !!
short flight but really enjoyed this. i got a video of this same plane going back to dfw from iah that same day. be safe my friend.
I got seat 15F on N970TW in May 2019. 😁✈️✈️ Great vid dude!
Love the old livery!!
Nice video. Was lucky enough to fly the MD80 for it's last 2 years of service. Last flew 501 on June 28, 2019 to LBB. Flight 2947. Such a classic airplane!
Still watching in 2022, Well done Quebec Foxtrot Sierra and thanks for sharing!!
I prefer to listen to the sound of JT-8D instead of music.
@gigachad2632
6 ай бұрын
You can still here it naga 🙉🙈
I flew on this aircraft so many times during so many years while in college, BJX-DFW and vice versa. Lots of memories...
I remember flying the MD-80 to Alberta, Canada when I was younger on American Airlines.
Good video! The end of the wonderful Mad Dog era, it’s sad to see them go. Maybe it’s just me but i’d rather hear the ambient sounds in the cabin than that ‘music’, the sounds are a big part of the flying experience. Thanks for the video.
Great vid man! Really gonna miss the bird once it’s gone from delta too. Actually that day is tomorrow 😢. Will never forget this plane, so monumental. (On a side note, kind of ironic you got A8 for departure. A8 was actually the gate I went into on my last MD 80 flight)
Thanks QFS !!!
Absolutely love Dallas Fort Worth
Love the old AA livery! I'd say close second would be the BA Landor livery like they've brought back on one of their 747s!
Awesome trip report! I’m miss the md80’s
Another just amazing video. Thank you QFS for doing what u do. There’s definitely a niche market but there’s a lot of us. You seem like you’re in college I wonder are you studying business? I think you should run an airline I think you will do amazing
I’ve only flown twice on American Airlines, both on the md-80. First was an overnight flight from lax to Laguardia via o’hare later in the morning. Second was from o’hare to LaGuardia. It seemed like those planes could go on forever. They sure got the job done both times, despite their age.
Love Aircraft ♡
The old old United livery was so good I love it and the old qantas livery an iconic one.
Man, I miss the AA MadDog already, the Delta ones are about to go also. ☹️
@jovanholland36
4 жыл бұрын
I never saw eny maddog super80s so its sadder for me
@RenegadeChauffeur
4 жыл бұрын
Sadly they are now gone. Flew on one Memorial Day weekend from ATL-STL and back and both the flight attendants and the pilots were very sorry to see them go.
The last TWA plane I saw was a MD-80 sitting in Spokane (GEG) during the 9/11 grounding. TWA did not fly into Spokane so it was so unusual to see a TWA sitting at the empty airport at a gate normally used by Horizon turboprops.
Nothing can beat this iconic livery
You're a great content creator and I love your vids! Greetings from Mexico!
I fueled aircraft a few years back at MKE, I remember fueling Delta, DC9....I'd pop the panel under the wing, and it was analog gauges, a stamping near the cables said Dec 68......and I was told to whack the gauge with a screwdriver to get an accurate reading.....
I like the older livery on all older aircraft. One of my favorites was the old,old Air California livery
Hope that md90 flight today went well cheers from California
BA Landor. Iconic and the best livery to ever fly
Love rear engined aircraft! They sound way cooler in the cabin when they spool up.
@joezegers
Жыл бұрын
Yeah. The problem with them is that they are louder.
Great video mate! That AA MD-80 is now retired. :(
Loved it never get a seat that wide again in coach
Nice video of a classic work horse 🐴🐎 Aircraft! IAH was my Training ✈️🤑 Base for COEX! Was TWA still flying back then? Iconic Livery's:. Delta's Livery ca. 1970's Classic United ca. 1960's Livery and loved the old Eastern 'Classic Hockey 🏑 Stick Livery!' On a related topic I once flew on a TWA MD-80. Series from STL to RNO. It was done up in Golden Arches McDonald's Livery! Apple 🍎 Red Arches on the Tail!(Golden of course!) A nice ride!
1:08 i flew on a 737 with that old livery from dallas to indianapolis with that livery in july 2019
This was my favorite plane in the sky on my favorite airline. So sad to see these go.
I never clicked so fast. Love you vids, keep it up!
MD-80 .. Love and hate. Love - lots memories Hate - always got sick after work especially in summer...
As always.Great video👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I made the lanyard that Jenisons the tail cone and deploys the Escape slide on those md-80s
Last summer I flew on MD-82 from Burgas, Bulgaria to Leipzig, Germany. I was in the font, it was very smooth flight. But in the rear, the noise from the engines was very loud.
For me the most iconic livery has to be Pan Am
@flyingstump2938
4 жыл бұрын
I was gonna say, that's probably the most iconic
@MrFloppy131
3 жыл бұрын
Hughes Air West was pretty damn nice as well
@tedsommer
2 жыл бұрын
I'm partial to PSA.
@jdos2
2 жыл бұрын
@@tedsommer Smilin' airplanes!
@tedsommer
2 жыл бұрын
@@jdos2 my dad used to work for them in Burbank in the 70's and through the buyout into USAir
That Plane Looks Great, Still Looks Brand New For A 29 Year Old Plane, Looks Well Kept Up. MD-82
Long live the MadDog!!!
Sitting next to either one of those engines? Experience not to be forgotten. :-)
I think about 3-4 years ago I saw that same livery but it was a different plane at Milwaukee
I remember standing outside an airport hotel in maybe 2009 smoking a cigar and watching planes come in towards a landing at DFW. Almost all had those MD T-tails... I always thought Eastern’s livery iconic...
Атмосферная работа, спасибо парень)
USED TO FLY FROM DFW TO LAX ALOT MAINLY ON MD-80'S. NEVER ANY PROBLEMS....
Pretty sure that was the last S80 airframe that AA flew to PIT I remember seeing it on Flightradar24
I think the most iconic is the Southwest Airlines canyon blue livery
No more md-80s for AA. My dad flew them for about 25 years. He loved that plane.
30 year old buses and trucks cannot ply on the roads but a 30 year old plane can fly in the sky!
Regarding 'iconic,' along with AA, there was always Pan Am (and the named airplanes with that huge globe on the tails) and Eastern. They were EVERYWHERE.
I've always wondered how the hell is AA still in business
In my humble opinion a very iconic livery is any TWA one
Sadly the Spirit livery is equally iconic. You can't miss the flying school bus anywhere
Your my favorite trip reporter keep it up👍🏽
She's old but reliable.. Took an MD-80 from Dallas to Sea-Tac in 2004 Got to enter the cockpit under flight. I was a minor at the time and had expressed a love for aircraft. Spent a good hours chatting with the pilots. i was only 13
excelente que rico un vuelo en 747 vintage
Great Report! It's insane how long these birds flew before getting retired. The old AA livery is killer. Thanks!
Other iconic liveries are the ones from British Airways, ANA or Lufthansa for example.
The KLM livery is also very iconic for me. I always loved to see those blue liveries flying :))
RIP MD80. You were my first real memory flying. You will be missed 😢
Makes me miss the old livery and airjamaica
I do prefer the old look of AA and MD-80 is one of my favourite jets along side 727's
I like the old silver American Airlines paint scheme better than the new white one
Great vid bro 👍
Welcome to KIAH bro.
The shiny hull and tail with the AA and eagle in the middle is classic. The current livery is vanilla in comparison.
I like the mid 80's Air Canada scheme.
God knows why the modern leather chairs are so much more uncomfortable than the old ones when they’re obviously more expensive. I’d love to fly on this old bird one day 😂😂
What`s the music at the end as you land?
Great video as usual.
I was on the last MD80 flight ORD-DFW
3:32 I know they made the new livery since new planes are no longer painted in bare metal, but American needs to *bring back the "AA"!*
The plane still looked quite comfortable despite its ages
I flew on one of Delta's last MD-88's. I wish they'll just give me one for free before they throw it in the scrapyard haha. Great video!!
The best part about the Mad Dogs is the engine sounds. There loud!! Nice report as always.
1:25 - is the ceiling blurred out for some reason?
Ahhh isn’t the sound of the MD-80 Old Glory?
I miss flying 😭😭😭
I really miss this old livery American Airlines paint scheme
Nice
I love the MD-80s. Thankfully, I saw them a final few times staying with family near Kansas City. American's MD-80 flew into MCI from DFW. When I lived in Washington D.C they used to fly into DCA all the time. Another great video Q, enjoy your last MD-90 flight! (Also, United Tulip is pretty Iconic, I think).
I still love and miss that old AA livery.
i have to agree with ya on the livery bro: ive never seen planes with that sliver body and stripes to represent the american flag... now it looks cheap to me. now that the mds are not flying is there still old american liverie flying or was it only for the md80s?