American Airlines is retiring the last of its McDonnell Douglas MD-80 fleet today as most of the remaining 26 aircraft take their final flights to Roswell, New Mexico (ROW). The MD-80, also known as the Super 80, was the workhorse of the airline’s fleet throughout the 1980s and beyond.

The Super 80 era began at American in May 1983 with three aircraft serving six cities — Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW); Detroit (DTW); New York City (LGA); Memphis, Tennessee (MEM); Nashville, Tennessee (BNA); and Ontario, California (ONT).

When introduced, the MD-80 was one of the most fuel efficient commercial airplanes in the sky. American was the first of the large U.S.-based airlines to introduce the aircraft to its fleet and, by 2003, was operating 362 of the iconic planes, representing approximately one-third of all MD-80s ever produced by McDonnell Douglas.

American’s final MD-80 revenue flight, American Flight 80, is scheduled to depart DFW for the last time at 9 a.m. bound for O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. From there, the plane will ferry to Roswell to join the other MD-80s retiring today.

The retirement of the MD-80 marks the end of an iconic era in American’s history. Looking to the future, American continues to modernize its fleet with newer fuel-efficient aircraft that offer customers more highly sought-after amenities like industry-leading high-speed Wi-Fi and more inflight entertainment and access to power.

STL base says farewell to the last MD-80 flight from STL:

Note: At the peak, AA operated 360 of the type. The last flight, flight AA 80, DFW – ORD, is being operated with ex-TWA N984TW. The former TWA DC-9-83 (MD-83) N984TW was named “The Spirit of Long Beach” with TWA and was the last DC-9-80 “Super 80” (MD-80) built.

Above Copyright Photo (all others by American Airlines): TWA-Trans World Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 N984TW (msn 53634) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105145.

AA is retiring the final 10 DC-9-82/83s this month. Five (N964TW, N980TW, N9626F, N963TW and N966TW) are being retired today.

The fleet is going to Roswell, NM for storage and final disposition.