when do planes retire?

[jenny41]

:(:eek::cry:At what age is it decided that a plane is too old, how long are they used, generally? who decides that they are too old and not able to be fixed anymore, how many miles before they go kaput? are they checked on everyday..? jenny:shakehead

[CAflyer]

I'll let the pilot give you the real stats but from what I have gathered from looking up this stuff and being in the forum awhile planes can last in service for a very long time because they basiclly rebuild the whole plane every certain amount of years and they get full on checks every few months and then everytime they fly they get checks. Some planes have been around since the early 80's but are still flying because everything that has gone wrong has been completely changed so it can be a old plane but have all new parts.

[Falcon]

If someone will pay the money to keep running them and pay for maintenace they will keep on going. There are still alot of MD80s working out of Madrid. A charter DC8 landed at Luton airport the other day.
What brings an aircraft to the scrap yard is when it sustains damage that is too expensive, too unsafe to repair or the leasing company can't getanyone to buy it and they cut their losses. The movement of technology is the biggest motivator and aircraft that burn too much fuel are in the firing line at the moment.