Gulf International MD-80 and -90

When it was time to replace the Douglas DC-9s after a long, successful career in Gulf International service, the airline once again remained with (McDonnell) Douglas; on November 22nd 1986 it ordered 35 MD-83s, the first arriving in New Orleans on July 15th 1987. Initially replacing the DC-9 on off-peak Mainline domestic flights, the role of the MD-80s eventually grew to operate the majority of domestic and regional services formerly operated by the elder Douglas and, from 1993 onward, the Boeing 727, effectively becoming the domestic workhorse of the Gulf fleet. The MD-80s offered greater passenger capacity while maintaining the same or greater airfield capabilities as the DC-9; the only shortfall was its inability to operate services to small regional airports with short runways. For that purpose, in September 1988, Gulf Connect was established with 28 British Aerospace BAe 146s.

In 1995, Gulf introduced the MD-90 to complement existing widebody services throughout North America, and to spearhead the creation of new bases in El Paso, San Antonio and Memphis, the airline's first outside the Gulf States. Between 2003 and 2005, Gulf MD-90s operated a short-lived subsidiary based in LaGuardia called Hudson, which operated low-cost domestic services throughout the Eastern Seaboard and to Chicago and Minneapolis. While passenger numbers were encouraging, the business wasn't profitable, and the venture was shut down and the MD-90s returned to Gulf service.

When the MD-80 retirement programme commenced in March 2008, Gulf operated a combined total of 192 Mad Dogs: 98 MD-83s, 42 MD-87s and 52 MD-90s. Today, only 7 MD-83s and 14 MD-90s remain in service; with the final MD-90 flight scheduled for September 30th 2018 and the final MD-80 service scheduled nearly two months later, 32 years to the day since its order. The retirement of the Mad Dogs also signals the end of 72 years of Douglas operations with Gulf International, a relationship that began at the very beginning back in 1946.

McDonnell Douglas MD-83 "SouthLiner," La Vie En Rose, N4218C.

Delivered to Gulf International, March 23, 1989.
Retired, sold to Northrop Aeronautics, January 13, 2009.

McDonnell Douglas MD-90 "SouthLiner," C'est Si Bon, N1208E.

Delivered to Aquilair - Aeree Linee Italiane, January 3, 2001.
Sold to Gulf International, August 19, 2002.
Transferred to Hudson, October 15, 2003.
Transferred to Gulf International, December 12, 2004.
Retiring, September 23, 2018.