[COEXERJ145]

Probably because new engines would also be cost prohibitive considering the age of the airframes.

Also, Northwest no longer flies the MD-80. IIRC, they retired them shortly after Sept. 11th.

Most people are expecting Northwest (if they survive) to eventually replace their DC-9's with either Boeing's next narrow body aircraft (based on the 787) or with the Airbus A320NG which Airbus has been hinting at for a few years now.

[conservative in nyc]

Northwest will likely slowly replace their DC-9s with 90-seat Canadian or Embraer Regional jets (TBD), flown by pilots working for their new Compass Airlines subsidiary. Northwest bought Independence Air's operating certificate, and Compass will start up pretty soon, running 50-seat CRJs to and from Washington Dulles. The plan is to use lower-paid Compass regional jet pilots to fly regional jets to places you'd normally see the DC-9s or Avros today - like Minot and Flint. I guess their Airbus 319s will pick up the slack in cities where slightly larger planes are warranted.

It's a shame to see the 717 production end, but not surprising. Boeing and Airbus can't seem to compete in the 100-seat category. Airbus' 318s and Boeing's 737-600s aren't exactly hot sellers, either.

Is Boeing still planning to sell part of the Douglas property to a housing developer?

[Yo-Yo]

Most people are expecting Northwest (if they survive) to eventually replace their DC-9's with either Boeing's next narrow body aircraft (based on the 787) or with the Airbus A320NG which Airbus has been hinting at for a few years now.

A320 No Good?

[HamiltonJay]

I personally never cared for the MD-80s... always felt like I was taking a huge risk whenever I flew on em.