
The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 is a twin-engine turbofan aircraft that can seat up to 170 passengers plus two pilots. It was launched on January 23, 1986, with Delta Air Lines ordering a total of 80 aircraft. The MD-88 has a maximum fuel capacity of 22,100 litres or 5,840 US gallons, which can be increased to 26,400 litres or 6,970 US gallons with the addition of two auxiliary fuel tanks. The aircraft has a typical range of 3,800 kilometres or 2,050 nautical miles with 155 passengers, which can be extended to 4,637 kilometres or 2,504 nautical miles with the auxiliary fuel tanks.
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What You'll Learn
- The MD-88's typical range is 2,050 nautical miles (3,800 km) with 155 passengers
- The addition of two auxiliary fuel tanks increases the range to 2,504 nautical miles (4,637 km)
- The MD-88 has a max take-off weight of 67,810 kg (149,500 lb)
- The weight of the fuel is 17,704 kg (22,130 L)
- The MD-88's minimum fuel consumption is 3.819 kg/km at cruise height

The MD-88's typical range is 2,050 nautical miles (3,800 km) with 155 passengers
The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 is a derivative of the DC-9 family, featuring a lengthened body, a higher maximum takeoff weight, larger wings, a new main landing gear, and higher fuel capacity. The MD-88 was the last variant of the MD-80 series, which also includes the MD-81, MD-82, and MD-83. The MD-88 first flew in August 1987 and entered fleet service in January 1988.
The MD-88 typically has a range of 2,050 nautical miles (3,800 km) with 155 passengers. Its range can be extended to 2,504 nautical miles (4,637 km) by adding two additional auxiliary fuel tanks. The aircraft's fuel capacity is 22,100 litres or 5,840 US gallons, and it has a maximum takeoff weight of 149,500 lb (67,810 kg).
The MD-88 features two JT8D-219 turbofan engines, each capable of producing 93.4 kN (21,000 lb) of thrust. This gives the aircraft a maximum speed of 925 km/h (500 kt) and a long-range cruise speed of 813 km/h (440 kt). The typical maximum seating capacity is 142 passengers, comprising 14 premium and 128 economy class seats, though it can seat up to 170 passengers.
The MD-88 was a popular aircraft, serving various routes for Delta Air Lines until its retirement in June 2021. The MD-90, its successor, offered improved fuel efficiency, a larger cargo capacity, and better performance in higher temperatures and altitudes.
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The addition of two auxiliary fuel tanks increases the range to 2,504 nautical miles (4,637 km)
The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 is a twin-engine turbofan aircraft that can seat up to 170 passengers plus two pilots. It was launched on 23 January 1986, with Delta Air Lines ordering a total of 80 aircraft. The first MD-88 was delivered to Delta in December 1987, entering fleet service in January 1988.
MDC quotes a typical range for the MD-88 as 2,050 nautical miles (3,800 km) with 155 passengers. However, the addition of two auxiliary fuel tanks increases the range to 2,504 nautical miles (4,637 km). This is similar to the range of the MD-83, another variant in the MD-80 series.
The MD-88 was developed from the original Douglas DC-9, featuring advanced updates such as a redesigned tail cone, an updated glass cockpit with digital displays, and modernized avionics and engines. The MD-88 also incorporates an EFIS cockpit. The MD-80 series includes the MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, and MD-88, with the MD-87 being a separate variant. These models primarily differ in their engine variants, fuel capacities, and weights.
The MD-88 was officially retired by Delta Air Lines in June 2021, with its final journey to Blytheville, Arkansas.
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The MD-88 has a max take-off weight of 67,810 kg (149,500 lb)
The MD-88 is a twin-engine turbofan aircraft that was developed from the original Douglas DC-9. It has a maximum take-off weight of 67,810 kg (149,500 lb) and can seat up to 170 passengers, plus two pilots. The MD-88 was an advancement on the DC-9, featuring an updated glass cockpit with digital displays, modernized avionics and engines, and a redesigned tail cone, which offered improved aerodynamics.
The MD-88 was launched on the back of orders from Delta Air Lines, which placed an order for 30 in January 1986. The first MD-88 was delivered to Delta in December 1987, and it entered fleet service in January 1988. The MD-88 served routes in Austin, Birmingham, Cincinnati, Jackson, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Shreveport, and Washington, D.C.
The MD-88 has a typical range of 2,050 nautical miles (3,800 km; 2,360 mi) when carrying 155 passengers. This range can be increased to 2,504 nautical miles (4,637 km; 2,882 mi) by adding two additional auxiliary fuel tanks. The MD-88 incorporates an EFIS cockpit and is equipped with two 93.4kN (21,000 lb) JT8D-219 engines.
The MD-88 was retired by Delta Air Lines in June 2021, along with the MD-90, which was its successor. The MD-90 offered improved fuel efficiency and a larger cargo capacity than the MD-88.
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The weight of the fuel is 17,704 kg (22,130 L)
The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 is a twin-engine turbofan aircraft that can carry up to 17,704 kg of fuel, which equates to 22,130 litres. This aircraft has a maximum range of 2,050 nautical miles (3,800 km) when carrying 155 passengers.
The MD-88 has a maximum take-off weight of 67,810 kg (149,500 lb) and an operating empty weight of 35,369 kg (77,976 lb). The weight of the fuel is 17,704 kg (22,130 L), which is a significant portion of the total weight capacity of the aircraft.
The MD-88 was an evolution of the DC-9, featuring an updated glass cockpit with digital displays, improved avionics, and more modern engines. It first flew in August 1987 and was launched on January 23, 1986, following orders from Delta Air Lines. The MD-88 was eventually succeeded by the MD-90, which offered improved fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
The MD-88 typically offered a two-class seating configuration, accommodating 12 business class and 131 economy class passengers, for a total of 143 passengers. However, its maximum seating capacity was 170 passengers, plus two pilots.
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The MD-88's minimum fuel consumption is 3.819 kg/km at cruise height
The MD-88 is a twin-engine turbofan aircraft that can seat up to 170 passengers plus two pilots. It was developed from the original Douglas DC-9, featuring an updated glass cockpit with digital displays, modernized avionics, and engines. The MD-88 first flew in August 1987 and was launched on January 23, 1986, following orders from Delta Air Lines.
The MD-88 has a minimum fuel consumption of 3.819 kg/km at a cruise height of 10,668 m. This fuel efficiency is due in part to the aircraft's redesigned tail cone and other aerodynamic improvements. The MD-88 also has a higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) than its predecessor, the MD-81, allowing for a greater fuel capacity.
The typical range for the MD-88 is 3,800 km with 155 passengers. The addition of two auxiliary fuel tanks can increase the range to 4,637 km with the same number of passengers. The MD-88's fuel efficiency and range make it suitable for short and long-haul routes.
The MD-88 was officially retired by Delta Air Lines in June 2021, along with its successor, the MD-90. Despite its retirement, the MD-88 remains a significant aircraft in aviation history, known for its dependability and flexibility in passenger and cargo services.
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Frequently asked questions
An MD-88 can hold 22,100 litres of fuel, or 5,840 US gallons.
The fuel capacity of the MD-88 is larger than that of the MD-81, MD-82 and MD-87, but the same as the MD-83.
The MD-88 has a range of 3,800 km with 155 passengers on board. With two additional auxiliary fuel tanks, the range increases to 4,637 km.
The flight time depends on various factors such as speed, route and weather conditions. However, based on its range and average cruising speed, the MD-88 can fly for approximately 5-6 hours on a full tank of fuel.
The MD-88 has a minimum fuel consumption of 3.819 kg/km at cruise height.










































