[Madison]

Originally Posted by Stephi Rae

I don't know how that airlines actually label them, but I believe the 717 is actually known as the MD-95, as listed on the Boeing site. They are both in the same family, but the 717 is claimed to be more advanced, aka glass cockpit, etc. It was known as the MD-95 until Boeing bought McDonnell Douglass and was the DC-9 before Douglass merged with McDonnell. I don't know if American has both, and that is the difference they label, but they are not exactly the same, "kinda", but not exactly.

I attend Aviation High School, I apologize, I couldn't just not say anything...

(here are my primary sources: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/717/ and http://www.boeing.com/commercial/md-80-90/index.html)

American's fleet is probably MD-82s and 83s, I'd guess. I haven't paid too much attention to whatever it is that's keeping them grounded, so I don't know if it's an issue that's common across which planes in that family.