Summary

  • Delta Air Lines was the largest operator of the L-1011 TriStar with 70 aircraft.
  • The airline set records by flying five variants and being the first to fly three widebodies at once.
  • The fuel-efficient TriStar helped optimize operations during the oil crisis of the 1970s.

April 1972 marked Lockheed’s first delivery of its L-1011 TriStar, and the following year, Delta Air Lines took on its first example of the type. The Atlanta-based carrier would fly 70 L-1011s in total, making it the largest operator of the type in commercial aviation history.

A welcome arrival

Delta Air Lines went on to manage several groundbreaking achievements after taking on the L-1011. It became the only major carrier to fly with five of its variants:

  • L-1011-1
  • L-1011-100
  • L-1011-200
  • L-1011-250
  • L-1011-500.

The company was also the first operator to simultaneously fly with three of the first-generation commercial widebodies, namely the Boeing 747, the Douglas DC-10, and the aforementioned L-1011. Delta Air Lines already had a long history of operating Lockheed aircraft. Indeed, the company’s Model 10 ‘Electra’ first arrived at the carrier’s facilities on December 21, 1935.

Delta L-1011

Even though it was the first Lockheed aircraft Delta Air Lines took on for passenger use, two of its models had formed part of its fleet previously. These were the 5C Vega and 8A Sirius, which joined the fleet in 1935 solely for mail operations. Subsequently, the carrier took on the Lockheed 749 Constellation in 1953 and the L-100 in 1966. The relationship with Lockheed continued for several more decades with the L-1011 TriStar.

The airline was undoubtedly excited to introduce its new trijet and was looking forward to putting the aircraft’s modern technology to good use. The model was the first commercial jetliner in the US to have the capability of landing with a zero (no visibility) ceiling and with a 700-foot RVR (runway visual range). This would bring fewer diversions amid harsh weather conditions.

A modern, fuel-efficient addition to the fleet

Delta Air Lines was also excited about the ‘New Advanced Automated Navigation System.’ This technology featured a monitor that worked as a moving map that navigated the aircraft between cities. The modern aircraft, with its autopilot and automatic landing systems, helped to revolutionize the flying process.

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Even though there were plenty of technological advances with the aircraft, Delta Air Lines was ultimately most keen to deploy it for its fuel benefits. The oil crisis during the 1970s made every cent count when it came to fuel, and as such, the carrier would benefit from the TriStar’s fuel efficiency to better optimize operations. Former Delta Air Lines Senior Vice President of Marketing, Joseph A. Cooper, said the following about the aircraft in 1973, as showcased by the Delta Flight Museum:

“The TriStar will be of tremendous assistance in the current energy crisis since it is replacing older and less economical four-engine equipment. The TriStar, at average cruise speeds, actually consumes less fuel than several of the older jets…Their 250 seat passenger carrying capability will also be of great assistance in the face of curtailed schedules due to the fuel shortage.”

Delta Air Lines’ first L-1011 flight

The L-1011-1 had a range of 2,370 miles, a speed of 552 mph, and could accommodate up to 50 passengers in first class and 200 in economy class. Delta Air Lines took delivery of its first L-1011-1 in October 1973, with the first revenue flight taking place a couple of months later, on December 15, 1973. There were 39 passengers onboard that flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia, and along with these two cities, early service was to destinations including:

  • New York
  • New Orleans
  • Miami
  • Tampa
  • Houston
  • Chicago
  • Detroit.

Passengers on these services were treated to what Delta Air Lines called its “high, wide, and handsome” cabin. The interior offered extra space, and customers entered through three double-width entry doors on each side of the fuselage. Wider aisles also allowed for smoother boarding and disembarking.

Meals were prepared in a lower-deck galley for the aircraft’s ten flight attendants to help serve. While waiting to eat, passengers would enjoy listening to one of the seven channels on the Deltasonic stereo “Words & Music” programs.

Transoceanic expansions

Delta Air Lines leased two L-1011-100s from TWA to launch transatlantic flights to London Gatwick at the end of April 1978. This variant had a higher fuel capacity than its predecessor, making it ideal for longer flights. The two aircraft were later converted to L-1011-200s with higher-thrust engines to better support the higher take-off weight.

Delta L-1011

Delta Air Lines ordered three L-1011-500s in January 1978 and became the first US carrier to fly the variant in June 1979 when it departed for Frankfurt. This model was a long-range version of the L-1011. A brochure promoting this new service expressed the following, as shared by the Delta Flight Museum:

“Your Delta Wide-Ride jet is the new Dash 500 model of the L-1011 TriStar, the first of its kind in transatlantic service. This long-range TriStar gives you a quieter, smoother flight. And the comfort of ‘living room’ cabins 8 feet high and 19 feet wide.”

During the 1980s, L-1011 services expanded across Europe, and flights to Stuttgart, Shannon, Dublin, and Hamburg were all launched. But it wasn’t only the Atlantic that had extra routes going over it – there was also action over the Pacific. Indeed, Delta Air Lines started operations to Hawaii with the L-1011-500 in December 1984.

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The aircraft was introduced on April 26th, 1972.

The airline also flew its first transpacific service in March 1987, with the aircraft heading to Tokyo. Toward the end of the 1980s, further expansions were made to Seoul, Taipei, and Bangkok. However, the new millennium brought about change.

Time to move on

The last Delta Air Lines TriStar flight took place on July 31st, 2001. On this date, the aircraft registered as N728DA made a return trip from Atlanta to Orlando and back, ending the carrier’s relationship with the aircraft after 28 years. By this time, the airline was flying with more modern widebodies, such as aircraft from the popular Boeing 767 and 777 families.

Nonetheless, Delta Air Lines would continue to show its appreciation for the trijet and its contribution to the carrier’s operation and growth. The fuselage of the first-ever L-1011 prototype was converted into a movie set, and it now resides at the Delta Flight Museum just outside Atlanta, Georgia.

Delta Air Lines’ L-1011s today

According to data from ATDB.aero, Delta Air Lines’ L-1011s left the carrier gradually rather than all at once in 2001. This meant that some had years of flying left in them after departing the carrier. A common destination was ATA Airlines, which received several in 1984.

TWA L-1011

Elsewhere in the US, Trans World Airlines and Air America were also among the carriers that picked up ex-Delta Air Lines TriStars. Further afield, certain examples saw service with Fly Congo, Orient Thai, and Thai Sky Airlines.

What do you think of Delta Air Lines’ Lockheed L-1011 TriStars’ history? Have you ever flown on one? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below.

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