AirTran N967AT (55028/5082) Del. 10/29/2001
AirTran (ValueJet as it use to be known) was the launch customer for the MD95 when on October 19th, 1995 it announced an order for 50 firm aircraft with options for an additional 50 aircraft.
AirTran took delivery of its first MD95 on September 23rd, 1999 in ceremonies held at Boeings Long Beach California Facility. The 717-2BD N942AT (55005/5006) departed Long Beach Airport later that day and headed for Atlanta. The first MD95 revenue flight operated by AirTran took place on October 12th, 1999 when the aircraft operated a flight from Atlanta-Hartsfield (ATL), Washington-Dulles (DUL), and Boston Logan (BOS).
(Photo By Michael J. Carter)
Trans World Airlines (TWA) N2414E (55081/5045) Del. 12/28/2000
December 9th, 1999 Trans World Airlines (TWA) became the third customer to order the MD95 when it placed an order for 50 firm aircraft with options for an additional 50 aircraft. On February 17th, 2000 TWA took delivery of its first 717-231 N401TW (55085/5017) complete with a large ribbon and bow wrapped around the airplane. The airplane flew to St. Louis (STL) via Kansas City (MCI) the following day to commence pilot training and route proving flights.
The aircraft are configured to carry 16 passengers in first-class and 95 passengers in coach seats.
The new TWA MD95 officially entered service on March 2nd, 2000 and has proven itself a worthy addition to Trans World Airlines. Sadly though TWA was bought by American Airlines which determined the MD95 did not fit in with future fleet plans. American announced that they would accept delivery of only 30 aircraft of the original 50 firm orders and cancel the 50 options dealing a major blow to the MD95 program.
The last MD95 N430TW (55097/5095) delivered to American Airlines departed Long Beach (LGB) on December 13th, 2001 and headed for Kansas City (MCI) were the aircraft would join N402TW, N403TW, N2404A, N405TW, N406TW, N426TW, N2427A, N428TW, & N429TW in storage to await their fate.
(Photo By Michael J. Carter)
Hawaiian Airlines N482HA (55127/5074) Del. 08/13/2001 'Akohehohe'
Hawaiian Airlines continued thier long relationship with Douglas, when on September 23rd, 1999 during ceremonies celebrating the first MD95 delivery to launch customer Airtran announced that it had signed a letter of intent to purchase 13 MD95 aircraft with an option for 7 additional aircraft. Hawaiian offically announced the purchase on March 2nd, 2000 with the first delivery scheduled for March 2001. Not only would Hawaiian have a new airplane it would introduce a new corporate image and updated Pualani tail logo on the MD95 as well. On February 28th, 2001 on a rainy Southern California day, the first two 717-22As were deliverd to Hawaiian Airlines N475HA (55121/5050) 'I'iwi and N476HA (55118/5053) 'Elepaio'. Paul J. Casey President and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines stated "In a ceremony like this in Hawaii, if it rains it's good luck. So today we take with us a huge amount of luck as we take delivery of the 717". Hawaiian Airlines operated the first MD95 revenue flight on Thursday March 15th, when flight 106 departed Honolulu International Airport (HNL) bound for Kahalui, Maui (OGG). (Photo By Michael J. Carter)
