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The Douglas DC-9 was once one of the most familiar short-haul jet airliners in the United States.
Delta, Northwest, Eastern, Republic, Continental, Hughes Airwest and many others flew large fleets of the rear-engined twinjet, carrying millions of passengers on domestic routes across the country.
Today, things are very different.
The original DC-9 has almost completely disappeared from regular service, having long since been replaced by newer aircraft. Its later descendants – the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90, and Boeing 717 – survived much longer, but genuine first-generation DC-9s are now exceptionally rare.
Remarkably, however, a small number can still be found in the United States.
Here are the DC-9s which are still believed to be active – or potentially active – in America today.
Ameristar
Photo: DUNCAN KIRK
N783TW – Douglas DC-9-15F
N784TW – Douglas DC-9-15F
Ameristar is one of the most interesting remaining DC-9 operators in the United States.
The company retains two short-bodied DC-9-15 freighters, N783TW and N784TW, based at Dallas Addison Airport in Texas.
These are particularly significant because the early, short-fuselage DC-9 variants have become exceptionally rare.
Ameristar operates ad-hoc cargo charter flights, meaning its DC-9s can potentially appear at airports across the United States.
Recent operations have seen the type flying through industrial and freight centres around the country, including destinations in Texas, Florida, Kansas, Washington and the Carolinas.
For enthusiasts hoping to see one flying, following the aircraft on flight-tracking websites before travelling is essential.
Addison is their home base, but Laredo International Airport is another particularly interesting location because Ameristar aircraft can appear alongside visiting Aeronaves TSM DC-9 freighters from Mexico.
Skydive Perris
Photo (c) Dan Stijovich
N127NK – Douglas DC-9-21
Perhaps the most extraordinary surviving DC-9 in America is N127NK.
Rather than carrying passengers between cities or freight between factories, this aircraft now spends its time dropping skydivers over California.
Operated by Skydive Perris at Perris Valley Airport, N127NK is an extremely rare DC-9-21.
Only ten examples of this particular version were built. It combined the short fuselage of the original DC-9 with the larger wing and more powerful engines of the DC-9-30, giving it particularly impressive climb and short-field performance.
The aircraft originally flew with Scandinavian Airlines before later serving with Spirit Airlines.
After spending many years inactive, it returned to flying in 2024 and is now used for special skydiving events.
The aircraft can carry dozens of parachutists rapidly to jump altitude, creating one of the most unusual DC-9 flying experiences anywhere in the world.
It does not operate every day, however, so anyone planning a visit should check whether a DC-9 jumping event is scheduled.
Everts Air Cargo
N935CE – Douglas DC-9-33F
N932CE – Douglas DC-9-33CF
Alaska has long been one of the best places in America to find elderly working aircraft, and Everts Air Cargo has operated some particularly impressive machinery over the years.
Its fleet has included piston transports, turboprops and classic jets, including the DC-9.
Two aircraft remain listed as potentially active: N935CE and N932CE, both based at Fairbanks.
Their current flying status is less straightforward than that of the Ameristar aircraft, however.
Everts has increasingly moved towards MD-80-family freighters, and its remaining DC-9s appear to see relatively limited use.
For that reason, Fairbanks should not be considered somewhere you are guaranteed to see a DC-9 flying.
Nevertheless, both aircraft remain worthy of attention, particularly for enthusiasts visiting Alaska.
Raytheon Company
N879AD – NC-9D
Possibly the strangest DC-9 still flying in the United States is N879AD.
This heavily modified aircraft has been used as an airborne test platform associated with Raytheon and US defence programmes.
Known as an NC-9D, it has carried various external sensors and test equipment over the years, making it immediately distinguishable from an ordinary DC-9.
The aircraft has been associated with Mojave, California, although its specialist missions mean operations are naturally unpredictable.
It has continued to appear in recent years, but as with some of the other unusual DC-9 survivors, its exact current operational status can be difficult to confirm.
Where Are the World’s Other DC-9s?
America is only part of the story.
The largest surviving DC-9 fleet in the world can now be found south of the border in Mexico, where Aeronaves TSM continues to operate an extraordinary collection of DC-9 freighters.
There are also surviving aircraft in Africa, Latin America and elsewhere, although determining which examples are genuinely active can be difficult.
In the September issue of Airport Spotting Premium, we take a much deeper look at the world’s remaining Douglas DC-9s, including the current active fleet and the best airports where you can still hope to see one flying.
With the type now approaching the end of its remarkable career, there may not be many more opportunities to experience an original DC-9 in action.
