Ex-American MD-80 Takes Flight Again

A former American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is potentially getting a new lease on life. For the first time since its final flight in 2019, the 25-year-old aircraft took to the skies again.

The MD-83 — registered as N984TW — departed from Roswell, New Mexico, for Saltillo, Mexico, on Monday. CAVU Aerospace performed the work to return the jet from long-term storage, which took about a month.

N984TW returns to the skies on Jan. 6 (Photo: CAVU Aerospace)

N984TW (line number 2287) was the final MD-80 ever produced, having been delivered to TWA in December 1999. Later, the jet joined American’s fleet after the two airlines merged.

On Sept. 4, 2019, the jet operated its last scheduled flight for American from Dallas/Fort Worth to Chicago O’Hare as AA80. This flight was also the carrier’s last-ever revenue flight with the aircraft type.

American’s last MD-80 flight in 2019 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)

According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, N984TW was acquired by Jetran in 2023. World Aviation Services, LLC then purchased the aircraft in October 2024.

After its ferry flight to Mexico, the future of the aircraft remains uncertain.

Other Former American MD-80s

Affectionately called the “Super 80,” American’s MD-80 fleet was one of the largest in the world before its 2019 retirement. Many of the aircraft still fly for other carriers today.

18 former American MD-80s remain in service with the oldest being 38 years old. Several were converted to freighters, largely operating for Saltillo-based Aeronaves TSM.

Over 200 have since been officially retired, many of which still await their fate in the New Mexico desert.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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