The long-range Series 62 followed in April 1967. It had a more modest stretch, two 40-inch (1.0 m) plugs fore and aft of the wing taking overall length to 157 feet 5 inches (47.98 m), and a number of modifications to provide greater range. 3 feet (0.91 m) wingtip extensions reduced drag and added fuel capacity, and Douglas redesigned the engine pods, extending the pylons and substituting new shorter and neater nacelles, all in the cause of drag reduction.

Also available are the cargo door equipped convertible -62CF or all cargo -62AF. Production included 51 DC-8-62s,

As of July 2018, one DC-8 remains in commercial service. In addition, several DC-8s are in use as private aircraft along with one in use by NASA for air quality testing as of October 2017. As of 2017, Skybus Cargo Charters based in Las Vegas, Nevada lists three DC-8 Super 70 series aircraft in its fleet including a DC-8-72 in VIP passenger configuration, a DC-8-72CF combi aircraft capable of transporting both passengers and cargo on the main deck and a DC-8-73F cargo aircraft.

Disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, based in North Carolina, also operates a DC-8 for flying disaster relief supplies and staff.

Aircraft of similar role, configuration and era: Boeing 707, de Havilland Comet, Convair 990, Ilyushin Il-62, Shanghai Y-10, Tupolev Tu-114, Vickers VC10.