A Texas International Airlines DC-9-15 sits at the gate at DFW in this photo from October of 1980. The airline was merged into Continental Airlines in 1982.
The basic design of the jet airliner has remained unchanged for the last 50 years. New technology and the quest for fuel efficiency may lead to new design innovations.
With the recent trend towards consolidation, airline alliances have become a useful way to connect route networks. Doug Wint analyzes the pros and cons.