Like atcpal says, the DC-9-21 was built specifically to SAS’ requirements. Ten aircraft were delivered in 1968-1969, one was lost in Oslo 1973 when it overran the runway and skidded out on the ice in the Oslo Fjord. The remaining nine aircraft served until the mid-90s with the last one leaving SAS in 1999. Allegiant Air was one of the new operators of the DC-9 “Sport” but now I think most of them are in storage.
@greekdude1: The last DC-9 flight in SAS was on 7 January 2002 when DC-9-41 SE-DAS flew from Zürich to Stockholm. After that, most remaining aircraft were flown to Woensdrecht or Roswell for storage. SAS began operating DC-9’s in 1967 with five leased DC-9-32’s from Swissair. In February 1968 the first DC-9-41 (another SAS speciality) was delivered. Two batches of DC-9’s were delivered, the first from 1968 onwards and the second from 1974 onwards. If unfamiliar with the registrations, one can distinguish them on old 70’s photos by looking what the colour the belly is. If it is grey, it was delivered after 1974, if aluminium it was delivered earlier. The first batch was sold off in the early 90’s to Airborne Express and others, SAS DC-9-41’s left from ca. 1994 onwards were all delivered between 1974-1979.
@robc: in another thread I wrote about the SAS splitup and reorganisation. I’ll post the link as I don’t want to bore people more than necessary… check http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22402. Regarding long haul flights, all will be handled by an Intercontinental division operating from all three bases. Exactly how much ARN/OSL/CPH may decide themselves when it comes to new long haul routes etc is as yet unknown. The main hub will still be at CPH though.
@Kenneth: Well, what can I say… I talked to a current Sterling 737 captain a few days ago and he said the exact same thing – “the 727 was the last real airplane”! I miss those days when our charter airlines were our own and not owned by huge multinational groups. They were more personal and seemed to have a lot more fun back then. Jeg savner det originale Sterling Airways A/S!
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