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As American Airlines marks its 100-year anniversary in 2026, we’re proud to release PlaneTags from one of the aircraft that helped define its modern fleet.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-80, often called the “Super 80,” was a familiar sight in American’s livery for decades, carrying millions of passengers across the country. Reliable and efficient for its time, it became a cornerstone of the airline’s domestic operations. Now, a piece of that history is preserved in this limited release from MD-82 N470AA.

Read more about N470AA on our blog American Airlines MD-82 N470AA: The Super 80 That Defined an Era.

OUR PLANE'S STORY

Built as an MD-82 and delivered in October 1988, N470AA entered service during a period of rapid growth for American Airlines. As part of the MD-80 family, an evolution of the earlier DC-9, the aircraft featured a stretched fuselage, rear-mounted engines, and improved performance designed for short- to medium-haul routes.

Over the next 27.9 years, N470AA operated as a consistent part of American’s fleet, flying passengers across the U.S. and contributing to one of the largest MD-80 operations in the world. At its peak, American Airlines relied heavily on the MD-80 series as the backbone of its domestic network.

N470AA was retired in July 2016, as newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft began to replace the MD-80 fleet. Like many of its counterparts, it was withdrawn from service after nearly three decades of operation, marking the end of an era for a generation of travelers.

Today, material from this aircraft has been carefully reclaimed and transformed into PlaneTags, preserving a tangible connection to its years in the sky. Read more on our blog: American Airlines MD-82 N470AA: The Super 80 That Defined an Era.

American Airlines® MD-82 - Tail # N470AA

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
• Type: MD-82
• Tail #: N470AA
• Crew: 5 (2 Pilots, 3 Flight Attendants)
• Passengers: 140 (16 First Class, 35 Main Cabin Extra, 89 Economy)
• Wingspan: 107 ft 10 in
• Length: 147 ft 10 in
• Height: 30 ft 2 in

Performance:

• Range: 2,361 mi
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.76
• Ceiling: 37,000 ft
• Empty Weight: 77,976 lb
• Max Takeoff Weight: 149,500 lb
• Rate of Climb: 2,000–2,500 ft/min
• Engine: 2x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217C low-bypass turbofan

About American Airlines’ 100-Year Anniversary

Founded in 1926, American Airlines began as a mail carrier flying between Chicago and St. Louis. Over the past century, it has grown into one of the largest airlines in the world, serving more than 350 destinations across 60 countries and employing over 139,000 team members.

Throughout its history, aircraft like the MD-80 have played an essential role in that growth, connecting cities, supporting expansion, and carrying generations of passengers.

As American celebrates 100 years of flight, this release honors not just one aircraft, but the era it helped define

Product Features

• Crafted from authentic aircraft skin of MD-82 N470AA
• Each PlaneTag is unique, with markings from its time in service
• Part of the iconic MD-80 “Super 80” series
• Polished and finished by hand at MotoArt Studios in California
• Includes a special American Airlines 100-year anniversary logo on packaging
• Collectible, limited-edition aircraft tag

Related Products

Continue exploring aircraft from across the American Airlines story:

• American Airlines A330 - N275AY
• American Airlines DC-10 - N125AA
• US Airways 757 - N905AW
• DC-3 Flagship Tulsa - NC-18141
• USAir Boeing 737 - N200AU
• TWA DC-9 N976Z
• TWA 747 N129TW

DISCLAIMER

American Airlines associated emblems and logos are registered trademarks or trademarks in the USA and used under license by MotoArt PlaneTags LLC.

PlaneTags are Handmade Aviation Tags

• Authentic - made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. 
• Unique -  each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. 
• Collectible - each one is numbered in a limited edition and comes attached to a display card. 
  
• Versatile - comes with a durable metal ring, strong enough to attach to luggage or keys or display.

- Please Note: Due to limited quantities, combination colors you may receive will vary.

*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully

PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.