Technical Advances "The MD-90 will improve our cost performance by saving fuel and carrying larger loads while minimizing environmental impact through less noise and reduced emissions."  In the midst of a difficult economic period, Delta welcomed the MD-90's cost efficiency, estimating that the airlines' annual fuel usage could drop by hundreds of thousands of gallons per aircraft, compared to the MD-88. Pilot training costs were minimized due to the MD-90's similarity to the MD-88. The engines, designed to reduce noise levels, made the MD-90 "one of the quietest aircraft ever built" in its class in 1995. A thrust rating panel in the flight deck allowed pilots to choose from 25,000 pounds of thrust to 28,000 pounds, depending on the circumstances of each flight. Reduced thrust choices below 25,000 pounds were also available. The thrust rating panel allowed the option to make the flight more economical or use more power for high altitude airports—the less power used the longer the engines would last between overhauls. The MD-90 offered Delta flexibility to provide passenger and cargo services in a wide variety of operating environments. "The MD-90 performs exceptionally well at hot and high-altitude airports, making it possible for us to schedule this aircraft for operations throughout North America—for short-haul and longer routes," remarked Russ Heil, senior vice president of technical operations. "That flexibility is crucial in an ever-changing industry." World's First MD-90 Service Delta was launch customer for the MD-90-30 in November 1989, placing an order for 50 aircraft with 110 options. Ship 9202 was the first delivered on February 24, 1995. The next two MD-90s were delivered to Delta on March 24, 1995. One of the two, Ship 9203, with three Delta and 22 McDonnell Douglas representatives on board spent 10 days on a sales tour of Taiwan and China in February before delivery. "We were involved on all the demonstration flights," said Delta In Flight Supervisor Stephanie Smith-Clark, "I was on board for safety as well as distributing marketing materials, pamphlets and pictures. I was also a goodwill ambassador for Delta, handing out Mickey Mouse ears, Delta wings and cards." Delta was the first airline to fly the MD-90 in scheduled service on April 2, 1995. The inaugural flight went from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Reno. Modifications Delta and McDonnell Douglas teamed up to create a new modification line for the MD-90 at Delta's maintenance center in Dallas/Ft. Worth in 1997. The mod line was a Delta first, as McDonnell Douglas worked with Delta to make system changes in-house. Recovery and Modification Services technicians from McDonnell Douglas worked the mod line from April 6-May 31. Delta initially purchased the MD-90 to replace its 727s, but when McDonnell Douglas was bought by Boeing in 1997, Delta cancelled the rest of its MD-90s and instead went with the Boeing 737-800. Extended Range Model Three additional MD-90s, including one extended-range model, will join Delta service in 2010. Video & Pics
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