Airliner Comparison ToolCompare 60+ passenger aircraft models head to head!

Boeing 787-8 vs. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30

vs.
Compare

787-8

vs.

DC-9-30

Price (USD)
$224 Million$10 Million
First Flight
20091966
Body Type
Wide-bodyNarrow-body
Length
56 m186 ft
36 m119 ft
Wingspan
60 m197 ft
28 m93 ft
Wing Area
377 m²4,058 ft²
93 m²1,001 ft²
Fuselage Width
5 m18 ft
3 m11 ft
Height
16 m55 ft
8 m27 ft
Max Takeoff Weight
227,900 kg502,433 lbs
48,988 kg108,000 lbs
Number of Engines
22
Engine Options
General Electric GEnx / Rolls-Royce Trent 1000Pratt & Whitney JT8D
Max Thrust Per Engine
280 kN64,000 lbf
67 kN15,000 lbf
Max Total Thrust
560 kN128,000 lbf
134 kN30,000 lbf
Fuel Capacity
126,200 l33,339 gal
13,900 l3,672 gal
Range
13,620 km7,354 nm
2,800 km1,512 nm
Cruise Speed
903 km/h561 mph
897 km/h557 mph
Typical Seating
242 pax115 pax
Max Seating
381 pax127 pax

What Are the Differences Between the Boeing 787-8 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30

Boeing 787-8 vs McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 Size Comparison

  • At 56.70 meters, the Boeing 787-8 is 20.30 meters longer than the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30.
  • With a wingspan of 60.10 meters, the Boeing 787-8 is 31.70 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The Boeing 787-8 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 have heights of 16.90 meters and 8.50 meters respectively - making the Boeing 787-8 8.40 meters taller.

Boeing 787-8 vs McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 Range

  • Boeing 787-8’s range of 13,620 kilometers is greater than McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30’s range of 2,800 kilometers. Therefore, the Boeing 787-8 can fly nonstop approximately 10,820 kilometers further.
  • The Boeing 787-8 can hold 33,339 gallons of fuel, which is 29,667 gallons more than the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30’s tank capacity of 3,672 gallons.

Boeing 787-8 vs McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 Seating

  • In a typical seating configuration, the Boeing 787-8 can accommodate 242 passengers, which is about 127 passengers more than McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30’s seating capacity.
  • The Boeing 787-8’s max seating capacity is 381 passengers, compared to 127 passengers of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30.

About the Boeing 787-8

The Boeing 787-8, as the first variant of the revolutionary 787 Dreamliner series, marked a new chapter in commercial aviation when it took to the skies in 2009. This modern wide-body twinjet made its introduction into commercial aviation in 2011 with All Nippon Airways. Since then, the entire Dreamliner family has been pivotal for efficient, point-to-point routes.

Spanning 56.7 meters (186.1 feet) in length with a wingspan of 60.1 meters (197.2 feet), the 787-8 is distinguished by its sleek and aerodynamic design. The aircraft boasts a wing area of 377.0 square meters (4058.0 square feet), which plays a critical role in its fuel-efficient performance. One of the most notable features of the 787-8 is its extensive use of composite materials, including carbon fiber reinforced polymer, accounting for a significant portion of its primary structure. This use of advanced materials results in a lighter airframe, leading to reductions in fuel consumption and operational costs, while also enhancing structural strength and durability. From the outside, 787s are discernible by their rounded noses, raked wingtips, and engine chevrons (serrated edges).

Equipped with either General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, the 787-8 offers a total maximum thrust of 560.0 kN (128,000 lbf). These engines, combined with the aircraft's optimized aerodynamics, enable it to achieve a range of approximately 13,620 kilometers (7,354 nautical miles). This extended range, coupled with its fuel efficiency, makes the 787-8 a viable option for airlines to operate long-haul flights with lower environmental impact.

Inside, the Boeing 787-8 typically seats 242 passengers in a standard three-class configuration, but it can accommodate up to 381 passengers in a high-density setup. The cabin of the 787-8 has been designed with passenger comfort at its core, featuring larger windows that are electronically dimmable, higher humidity levels, and a lower cabin altitude pressure. These features significantly enhance the passenger experience, particularly on long-duration flights, by reducing fatigue and improving overall comfort.

The 787-8 competes in the commercial aviation market with aircraft such as the Airbus A330-900neo. Its introduction was a strategic move by Boeing to provide airlines with an aircraft that combines operational efficiency with advanced passenger comfort amenities. The aircraft's innovative design and environmental considerations have made it a preferred choice for various airlines, including All Nippon Airways, United Airlines, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, and LATAM Chile. These carriers have utilized the 787-8's capabilities to effectively serve a broad range of international and transcontinental routes.

The development and deployment of the Boeing 787-8 have been characterized by a shift towards more sustainable and efficient air travel. Its use of cutting-edge materials, coupled with state-of-the-art systems, represents a significant advancement in aircraft design. As a result, the 787-8 has set new standards in terms of operational efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced passenger comfort, thereby playing a pivotal role in the evolution of modern long-haul aviation.

About the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30

The McDonnel Douglas DC-9-30, a narrow-body jet airliner first introduced in 1966, stands as a significant aircraft in the evolution of commercial aviation. Designed during an era of rapid growth in air travel, the DC-9-30 was developed to meet the demands of short to medium-haul routes, offering airlines a more efficient and practical alternative to the larger jetliners of the time. The Series 30 of the DC-9 included four main sub-variants, -31, -32, -33, and -34. During its production, the -30 was by far the most popular model of the DC-9 with 585 units delivered.

This aircraft was initially developed as the Douglas DC-9, prior to August 1967 merger with McDonnell Aircraft. The DC-9-30 measures in at 36.4 meters (119.3 feet) in length. This size enabled it to operate efficiently in smaller airports and on shorter runways - a niche that was underserved at the time of its introduction. Powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PWJTD engines, the DC-9-30 has a total thrust output of 134.0 kN (30,000 lbf). Its fuel capacity of 13,900 liters (3,672 US gallons) gives the DC-9-30 a range of approximately 2,800 kilometers (1,512 nautical miles). This range was particularly advantageous for airlines looking to serve regional networks with an efficient and reliable jet.

The DC-9-30's typical five abreast seating layout can fit around 115 passengers, with a maximum of 127 in a high-density layout.

In its market segment, the McDonnel Douglas DC-9-30 was a key competitor to other short-haul aircraft of the era. Its introduction provided airlines with a jetliner that was not only smaller and more versatile than the larger, long-haul aircraft but also more efficient and economical for short to medium-range routes.

Airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and TWA were prominent operators of the DC-9-30, utilizing its capabilities to enhance their regional route networks. The aircraft's role in these fleets demonstrated its effectiveness in bridging the gap between propeller-driven airliners and larger jets, contributing significantly to the growth of regional air travel.

The McDonnel Douglas DC-9-30's production and service history highlight its importance as a practical and versatile aircraft in commercial aviation. The last DC-9 to ever be built was delivered in 1982. After its retirement, McDonnell Douglas went on to produce the MD-80 and the MD-95.

Share:
Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

Related Airliner Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the WebFlite Aircraft Comparison Tool.

What is this comparison tool?

WebFlite’s Aircraft Comparison Tool allows users to contrast the specifications of over 100 airliner, freighter, and fighter jet models. The head-to-head comparisons include data related to size, weight, capacity, performance, and much more! Whether you want to compare similar aircraft, old vs new, big vs small - you can find it here at WebFlite!

How do you use this tool?

The Aircraft Comparison Tool is extremely easy to use! First, select your type of aircraft - Airliners, Freighters, or Fighter Jets. When the page reloads, select an aircraft from each of the two drop-down menus below the aircraft illustrations, and then click the blue “Compare” button. The page will automatically update and display those two aircraft and their specs! You can start a new comparison by changing either one or both aircraft from the drop-downs, and clicking “Compare” again. You can also change the aircraft type at the top of the page.

Where does the aircraft data come from?

The data for these aircraft has been scraped from a few sources, including manufacturer websites, government databases, and Wikipedia. While the data is fairly accurate, we cannot guarantee it all to be 100% exact. This is mainly due to discrepancies between sub-models and configurations. Most aircraft in this comparison tool will include what variant its data is based off of.

What are the most popular aircraft comparisons?
Can I share this tool or a comparison?

Yes! Please feel free to share this tool or any specific aircraft comparison with friends, family, or on social media! You may also share on your own website, but please include a link to the tool! We appreciate any support with helping us grow!

webflite-logoWebFlite
2023 WebFlite. All rights reserved.