With the Delta/Northwest merger Atlanta just inherited a whole new bunch of AC types. Okay I tend to fly this airline a lot. Some online reading told me that this is a 40 year old bird. Outside of pilot error, do you guys believe she is safe plane still? On a side not a repainted Delta 747-400 will be interesting to see soon.
Delta Inherits DC9s
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I wouldn't worry about it at all.
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I don't see Delta keeping the DC-9 or the B-747. Delta is filling their fleet with Embraer and Canadair regional jets to replace their MD-88 and MD-90 fleet. The DC-9 will join the other two airframes that are slated for extinction.
Boeing's 747, while being one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made, is a dinosaur by modern standards. Four engines, three flight deck members, and a thirst for fuel has kept it out of Delta's fleet for over 30 years. Delta used the B-747 for a short period but they proved too costly to operate. The 777 is their long distance hauler and they are going to be eyeing Airbus for several of their products in the near future.
I see a fleet of Embraer, Canadair, B-737, B-767, B-777, and possibly the A-319/320 to fill out the hangar.
Boeing's 747, while being one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made, is a dinosaur by modern standards. Four engines, three flight deck members, and a thirst for fuel has kept it out of Delta's fleet for over 30 years. Delta used the B-747 for a short period but they proved too costly to operate. The 777 is their long distance hauler and they are going to be eyeing Airbus for several of their products in the near future.
I see a fleet of Embraer, Canadair, B-737, B-767, B-777, and possibly the A-319/320 to fill out the hangar.
The 747 requires only TWO flight deck members. It is profitable if it is full. Delta will be using those on flights that have high yields.
I doubt you'll see Delta buy any Airbus products. The Airbuses that they are getting with the NW deal will remain for now. Once the 787 show up, expect some of the AB going on the block.
The DC-9 will be around along with the MD88 and MD90s (in fact I expect Delta to buy more MD-90s in the next few years)
All safe planes.
Take care, Bill
I doubt you'll see Delta buy any Airbus products. The Airbuses that they are getting with the NW deal will remain for now. Once the 787 show up, expect some of the AB going on the block.
The DC-9 will be around along with the MD88 and MD90s (in fact I expect Delta to buy more MD-90s in the next few years)
All safe planes.
Take care, Bill
As a matter of discussion a 747 is a pretty old design [which doesn't mean it is not good] They are big.
It's so funny to me that airplanes that were once lauded as the best in the industry seem to end up as freighters or placekeepers in the desert before they're really that old.
My favorite plane has always been the 727. It was once Boeing's best-sellers and complimented by all operators for it's short-runway capabilities and general flight characteristics. I flew on them a lot when I worked for Delta. First class was heaven on that plane. Unfortunately, they're all but gone now due to their "gas-hoggish" nature. It's just funny that the operators-of-the-day didn't seem to care much about that back when it was new. Are the newer (and seemingly bigger and heavier) planes really THAT MUCH MORE efficient than the 727, or is that used as an excuse to bring in the bigger and newer?
My favorite plane has always been the 727. It was once Boeing's best-sellers and complimented by all operators for it's short-runway capabilities and general flight characteristics. I flew on them a lot when I worked for Delta. First class was heaven on that plane. Unfortunately, they're all but gone now due to their "gas-hoggish" nature. It's just funny that the operators-of-the-day didn't seem to care much about that back when it was new. Are the newer (and seemingly bigger and heavier) planes really THAT MUCH MORE efficient than the 727, or is that used as an excuse to bring in the bigger and newer?
Man! I like NWA's current livery on the 747s.
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ViragoBry, do you remember when Delta had to fabricate and install the hush kits on the B727? That was a major task that was required in order to meet noise abatement regulations at nearly every major destination. Those were some noisey little suckers.
The hush kits added 3 feet of length to the engine and caused fuel consumption issues. Winglets were installed briefly to allow for a higher service ceiling but that concept was dropped after about 1 year. There were issues with the supplier of the carbon fiber winglet if I remember correctly.
I used to love to watch the B727 takeoff in the rain. The center engine would leave a wash on the runway that looked like a rooster tail.
The hush kits added 3 feet of length to the engine and caused fuel consumption issues. Winglets were installed briefly to allow for a higher service ceiling but that concept was dropped after about 1 year. There were issues with the supplier of the carbon fiber winglet if I remember correctly.
I used to love to watch the B727 takeoff in the rain. The center engine would leave a wash on the runway that looked like a rooster tail.
If Delta keeps the 747's for any amount of time, then they need to upgrade the interiors. The single screen hanging on the bulhead wall in front of the cabin doesn't cut it anymore, especially on those 13-hours-to-Tokyo runs. The A330's have nicer cabins with individual entertainment systems for us cheap-seaters. If anything leaves their fleet, it may be the 767 and the DC9's. I daresay there's nothing more graceful in the air than an A330 at altitude.
Wow..I haven't seen a Delta 747 in ages. I didn't know they still flew them. They sure don't bring them to Dallas very often.
They don't.
Until now. They merged with Northwest and got theirs.
So the 747 with Deltas name on them will be repainted NWA ones.
The A330 will be gone from Deltas fleet sooner than later. And the 767 will be around for a long time. Its a excellent plane for Delta.
Agree the A330 is a pretty plane. Much better than the A300...
Until now. They merged with Northwest and got theirs.
So the 747 with Deltas name on them will be repainted NWA ones.
The A330 will be gone from Deltas fleet sooner than later. And the 767 will be around for a long time. Its a excellent plane for Delta.
Agree the A330 is a pretty plane. Much better than the A300...
757 is a handsome plane to me. Tall, slim and svelt with nice lines and that Concorde-like long overhang in front of the nosegear.
You will NEVER see an ex-NWA DC9 painted in Delta colors. They will retire them as soon as the fleet merger is complete. NWA was already pulling DC9s out of service at every maintenance C check. They are subsidizing their routes out to A319/20s and also to their express carriers (Mesa, Pinnacle) CRJs. Delta already has a large ammount of MD88s, and they have no interest in an even less fuel efficient DC9.
I'm curious to see what Delta does with all the narrow body Airbuses. Delta is committed to Boeing for all their short/medium haul routes. 737NGs and 757s have the bulk of these. I'm curious if Delta sells off all the newly aquired Airbuses.
I'm curious to see what Delta does with all the narrow body Airbuses. Delta is committed to Boeing for all their short/medium haul routes. 737NGs and 757s have the bulk of these. I'm curious if Delta sells off all the newly aquired Airbuses.
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I'll tell you what amazes me.. Delta has certified their B757 for ETOPS and is now using them to fly to Ireland and England.
I fly those things (as a passenger) domestically and I can't imagine flying them internationally. I haven't flown to Shannon, Ireland, since they started this service so I can't speak first hand on the interior layout but they're not very big so there's not much to work with regardless.
Delta stopped building engines for those DC9's years ago. They still build the JT8D-219 for their MD-88 fleet but they've stopped working on the Aero V-2500 that is used on their MD-90's. I think they'll be retired along with the 9's next year.
If Delta is getting the 400 series B747 then it will be a nice flagship for the fleet. It certainly has presence. If we have the older 200 and 300 series planes I guarantee they won't be kept. Delta sells a lot of their older ships to the cargo companies and they wouldn't have much trouble unloading the 747's.
I fly those things (as a passenger) domestically and I can't imagine flying them internationally. I haven't flown to Shannon, Ireland, since they started this service so I can't speak first hand on the interior layout but they're not very big so there's not much to work with regardless.
Delta stopped building engines for those DC9's years ago. They still build the JT8D-219 for their MD-88 fleet but they've stopped working on the Aero V-2500 that is used on their MD-90's. I think they'll be retired along with the 9's next year.
If Delta is getting the 400 series B747 then it will be a nice flagship for the fleet. It certainly has presence. If we have the older 200 and 300 series planes I guarantee they won't be kept. Delta sells a lot of their older ships to the cargo companies and they wouldn't have much trouble unloading the 747's.
They ARE getting (correction HAVE) the 747-400.
The MD88s, MD90 and DC9s will be around for YEARS. Really. NW has a ton of them and plenty of engines for the DC9s.
NW has a few 747-200-300s for Freight and they will be sticking around until Delta sells off the cargo operation.
Take care, Bill
The MD88s, MD90 and DC9s will be around for YEARS. Really. NW has a ton of them and plenty of engines for the DC9s.
NW has a few 747-200-300s for Freight and they will be sticking around until Delta sells off the cargo operation.
Take care, Bill
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Bill, have you received a internal memo regarding the acquisition that I can access through the Deltanet somehow? We're painting fuselages and getting type certified on airframes here but you're saying things that I and my coworkers are not seeing at the Atlanta jet base.
If possible give me a heads up on this information. I do know that my management chain is changing the first of the year but we're dropping capacity nearly 10% and looking at a force reduction of 4,000 employees which will make the fleet blending of these antique aircraft from Northwest a futile endeavor.
If possible give me a heads up on this information. I do know that my management chain is changing the first of the year but we're dropping capacity nearly 10% and looking at a force reduction of 4,000 employees which will make the fleet blending of these antique aircraft from Northwest a futile endeavor.
How much of your Maintenance is done off shore?
727 is the jet with 3 engines in the rear? and are certified to land on gravel runways? I have been on those and they are one of my favorites .Now days I avoid airlines as possible.
Originally Posted By: FowVay
I'll tell you what amazes me.. Delta has certified their B757 for ETOPS and is now using them to fly to Ireland and England.
I fly those things (as a passenger) domestically and I can't imagine flying them internationally. I haven't flown to Shannon, Ireland, since they started this service so I can't speak first hand on the interior layout but they're not very big so there's not much to work with regardless.
Delta stopped building engines for those DC9's years ago. They still build the JT8D-219 for their MD-88 fleet but they've stopped working on the Aero V-2500 that is used on their MD-90's. I think they'll be retired along with the 9's next year.
If Delta is getting the 400 series B747 then it will be a nice flagship for the fleet. It certainly has presence. If we have the older 200 and 300 series planes I guarantee they won't be kept. Delta sells a lot of their older ships to the cargo companies and they wouldn't have much trouble unloading the 747's.
You'd be AMAZED at what hops the pond nowadays. 757s seem to be more and more common nowadays. KLM even has a flight between Amsterdam and IAH in a 737-700! Pilot said they were 90min ETOPs certified. Talk about CRAMPED. I couldn't imagine ANY flight in a narrowbody jet for that long.
Since you are obviously in the know, what's the plan with the narrowbody Airbuses? Also, I know you guy have the largest fleet of 757-200s, but are you going to keep NWAs -300s or get rid of them too?
I'll tell you what amazes me.. Delta has certified their B757 for ETOPS and is now using them to fly to Ireland and England.
I fly those things (as a passenger) domestically and I can't imagine flying them internationally. I haven't flown to Shannon, Ireland, since they started this service so I can't speak first hand on the interior layout but they're not very big so there's not much to work with regardless.
Delta stopped building engines for those DC9's years ago. They still build the JT8D-219 for their MD-88 fleet but they've stopped working on the Aero V-2500 that is used on their MD-90's. I think they'll be retired along with the 9's next year.
If Delta is getting the 400 series B747 then it will be a nice flagship for the fleet. It certainly has presence. If we have the older 200 and 300 series planes I guarantee they won't be kept. Delta sells a lot of their older ships to the cargo companies and they wouldn't have much trouble unloading the 747's.
You'd be AMAZED at what hops the pond nowadays. 757s seem to be more and more common nowadays. KLM even has a flight between Amsterdam and IAH in a 737-700! Pilot said they were 90min ETOPs certified. Talk about CRAMPED. I couldn't imagine ANY flight in a narrowbody jet for that long.
Since you are obviously in the know, what's the plan with the narrowbody Airbuses? Also, I know you guy have the largest fleet of 757-200s, but are you going to keep NWAs -300s or get rid of them too?
The out-of-production 757 has been ETOPS for a long time. Its the workhorse of the US West Coast - Hawaiian Islands routes. It was developed as a replacement for the 727, but grew too big. The 737NG covers that market for Boeing. Even if I now work for Boeing, as a coach passenger, I still dislike all Boeing narrow body planes, 707-757. They are all the same width, and the same narrow seats 3x3.
As far as nostalgia for the 727 is concerned, I knew a Western mechanic that hated them and pilots had a love-hate relationship. They required above average skill to land them. "Greaser" landings were rare.
As far as nostalgia for the 727 is concerned, I knew a Western mechanic that hated them and pilots had a love-hate relationship. They required above average skill to land them. "Greaser" landings were rare.
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