Southeastern Airlines MD-80 (2005-Present Livery)

In the mid 1970s McDonnell Douglas began talks with airlines for a narrowbody jet airliner based on the DC-9, while Southeastern had never operated the DC-9 they were looking for a potential replacement for the ageing 727/737 fleet. McDonnel Douglas proposed the MD-80 series as an ideal replacement for the 727 sharing similar characteristics while being more efficient and economical. Southeastern was impressed with the proposals and signed a letter of intent for 15 of the aircraft.

The first one would be delivered in September 1980 making Southeastern the launch customer of the MD-81 series, the aircraft turned out to be ideal for the airline prompting Southeastern to look at ordering more to replace the large 727 fleet, Southeastern was relatively sceptical of the MD-82 preferring the MD-83 variant due to its superior range and more powerful engines. McDonnell Douglas was keen for orders and offered Southeastern a contract for 25 MD-82 aircraft to be delivered from 1981 onwards, Southeastern announced to McDonnell Douglas that they would not sign unless the order was for 25 MD-83 aircraft and on the condition they were sold at the same price as the MD-82. Backed into a corner MD caved in and Southeastern became the launch customer for the MD-83 variant, placing an order for 25 with 15 options (later converted into orders) at a discounted rate.