Wright Airways | 1983-1995 | McDonnell Douglas MD-80

During the 1980s, Wright introduced a revised livery, trying to present a blend of professionalism and freshness as it sought to solidify its market hold in the Eastern USA while also expanding into new markets in the West. This rapid expansion was due to the deregulation of the airline industry in the USA and the airline's leadership recognized the need for a larger and more efficient aircraft than the DC-9. Consequently, the carrier placed a large order for MD-80 jets to replace some of the oldest DC-9s and most of the 727 fleet. Over the next decade, the MD-80 (or maddog as it came to be called) became the backbone of Wright's fleet and proved to be exceptionally versatile for the various routes on which it was used. In fact, the aircraft performed so well that the airline placed orders for the smaller MD-87 and improved MD-88 before also ordering its planned successor, the MD-90. Unfortunately, Boeing's buyout of McDonnell Douglas and its termination of the MD production line left Wright and other carriers with the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 as their only real options. Nevertheless, the maddog soldiered on with Wright until the second decade of the 21st century when it was eventually replaced by 737 MAX aircraft.

Thanks to Airplano for the improved template