McDonnell Douglas MD-88

The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 represents an advanced cockpit variant of the MD-80 series, featuring a fully electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) and improved systems. Introduced in 1987, it retained the standard 45.06-meter fuselage seating 155-172 passengers and JT8D-219 engines (93.4 kN) identical to the MD-83. The key distinction was the EFIS "glass cockpit" with six CRT displays replacing traditional analog instruments, windshear detection systems, and enhanced flight management computers. These improvements reduced pilot workload and improved situational awareness while maintaining crew commonality with earlier MD-80s. Delta Air Lines launched the MD-88 in January 1988 and became the sole operator, eventually acquiring 150 examples. Delta used the MD-88 extensively on its domestic network, valuing the modern avionics and operational efficiency. The variant offered MD-83 range capability (3,805 km / 2,055 NM) with state-of-the-art cockpit technology. Production continued through 1997. Delta retired its last MD-88s in 2020, marking the end of an era. The MD-88 represented McDonnell Douglas's final refinement of the MD-80 design before transitioning to the MD-90.