A Republic airline MD-80 landing behind a flight of A-6 'Skyhawks' of the US Navy Blue Angels. The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a family of twin-engine, short to medium range, single-aisle commercial jet airliners. The MD-80 series was lengthened and updated from the DC-9. The airliner family can seat from 130 to 172 passengers depending on variant and seating configuration. The MD-80 series was introduced into commercial service on October 10, 1980