The Boeing 747 is a legendary aircraft that has created countless memorable moments over the last 53 years since entering service with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). Elsewhere in the US, Delta Air Lines also first operated the Queen of the Skies in 1970, the same year it was introduced. However, the Atlanta-based carrier and the plane took a thirty-year break before reconnecting.

The original model

Data from ATDB.aero shows that, on September 25th, 1970, Delta's first of five Boeing 747-100s, registered as N9896 and nicknamed Georgia Belle, arrived at the US legacy carrier. Initially, the jumbo jet operated a daily service from Atlanta to Los Angeles via Dallas. Four more units also arrived by November 1971.

These aircraft bore the registrations N9897, N9898, N9899, and N9900, and they joined Delta in October 1970, November 1970, September 1971, and November 1971, respectively, brand-new. These aircraft were among the first 200 Boeing 747s ever built, with serial numbers 82, 94, 155, and 159.

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Shortly afterward, the airline began using these planes to connect other key cities of the United States, such as Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. Additionally, these 747-100s were used on the Delta/Pan Am European interchange, causing heads to turn when landing in London and Frankfurt.

High expectations

Delta Air Lines had big plans for the Boeing 747-100 when the carrier took it on, and it even turned the jumbo jet's upper deck into a 'flying penthouse.' Former Delta SVP of marketing T.M. Miller spoke about how the plane is in a class of its own compared to its counterparts, with the Delta Museum quoting him as saying:

"The 747 is totally unlike any other aircraft, piston or jet. A triumph of American technology, the 747 will bring to our passengers a standard of comfort and convenience no longer limited by the size of an aircraft cabin."

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However, despite the high hopes, the original units did not last long within Delta's fleet, as the carrier soon felt that the model was too large for its routes. Therefore, in September 1974, the airline started to send its units back to Boeing. Eventually, the last of the original five departed in April 1977, but that wasn't the end.

Even though it was a favorite among its rivals, the company chose not to bring back the type for over three decades. However, the Boeing 747 did return as a consequence of a more significant event, as we shall now explore.

Into the new millennium

In April 2008, Delta Air Lines announced a merger agreement with fellow US carrier Northwest Airlines. The Minnesota outfit held 26 passenger and cargo 747s when the deal was struck, split between 747-200s and 747-400s. Subsequently, Delta started flying 747s once again following the agreement.

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-400 Parked at an airport.
Photo: Nate Hovee/Shutterstock

Over the next nine years, the 747 Boeing performed a comeback tour in the skies at Delta. However, it didn't take long for the airline to grow tired of it once again. Eventually, the company retired the 747 for the second time in 2017. Despite both stints not lasting over a decade, the 747 was a pioneering aircraft for Delta. Below are some of the other important additions that the 747 brought.

  • In 1970, it became Delta's first plane with a personal audio system in the cabin. Passengers could listen to seven channels featuring the likes of the Beatles, Bert Bacharach, and Beethoven.
  • It was the carrier's first plane with overhead bins for baggage. These units replaced open racks.
  • In 1971, the first edition of Sky, Delta's inflight magazine, featured the 747 on the front cover.

Altogether, the Boeing 747 has such a rich history and partnered with several groundbreaking airlines over the last half a century. With operators continuing to let go of the aircraft, it is becoming an increasingly rare sight in the world's skies today. However, it has left a legacy that is felt by millions of passengers across the globe.

What do you make of Delta's two stints with the 747? Did you have the opportunity to fly on one or both incarnation(s)? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: ATDB.aero, Delta Museum

  • Delta A350
    Delta Air Lines
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    DL/DAL
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Boston Logan International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1929
    Alliance:
    SkyTeam
    CEO:
    Ed Bastian
    Country:
    United States