Summary

  • Delta Air Lines operated over 30 Boeing 747s, receiving them in two separate periods.
  • Northwest Airlines’ Boeing 747-200 cargo planes were retired in 2009, while 16 Boeing 747-400s were transferred to Delta after the 2008 merger.
  • Some of Delta’s retired 747s are preserved or on display, such as the 747-100 at McMinnville Municipal Airport and the 747-400 at the Delta Flight Museum.

While the Boeing 747 is now out of production and slowly approaching the end of its time, it has served as an integral part of many airline fleets for decades. While the passenger versions are increasingly rare to spot, the US big three have all operated them in the past. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines operated several different variants of the 747 until its retirement from the fleet. According to data from ATDB.aero, Delta operated over 30 Boeing 747s for many years.

Unlike most other major US international airlines, the Boeing 747 came to Delta in two separate periods. Initially, the carrier operated a small fleet of five Boeing 747-100s, which were retired early due to the 1970s oil crisis and quickly replaced by the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. The second wave of Boeing 747s came to Delta after a 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines, from which it received two different groups of jets.

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Northwest’s 15 Boeing 747-200F cargo planes were quickly retired in 2009. More interestingly, the carrier also received a set of 16 Boeing 747-400s. The Queen of the Skies only stayed at Delta for a short while and quickly retired in 2017 to make way for the modern Airbus A350-900. The jumbos all had different fates, so let’s look at what happened to them.

Delta’s Boeing 747-100s

The Boeing 747-100 took its first flight in February 1969 and was first delivered to Pan Am. ATDB.aero data shows that Delta received its first 747-100 in September 1970. The aircraft, registration N9896, was delivered new after taking its first flight earlier that month.

Boeing 747 on the roof of wings and waves waterpark

Photo: EQRoy | Shutterstock

Delta had five 747-100s in its fleet. N9897 was delivered in October 1970, N9898 in November 1970, N9899 in September 1971, and N9900 in November 1971. The type has been out of service for decades, so most of them have been scrapped. However, N9896 had a rather interesting fate.

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The 54-year-old aircraft is now preserved at McMinnville Municipal Airport on the roof of the Wings and Waves Waterpark. It was lifted by crane in April 2010, about eight months after its last flight. The last operator was Evergreen International Airlines, which flew it with registration N481EV. As such, the jumbo still features the Evergreen International Airlines livery.

Delta’s Boeing 747-200Fs

Upon receiving Northwest’s 747-200Fs, Delta immediately sought to find them a new home. Rather quickly, the airline was able to pin down another carrier to acquire the jets. The airline’s jumbo freighters were transferred to cargo and charter airline Kalitta Air, and the carrier proceeded to operate the aircraft before retiring them a few years later.

Kalitta Air Boeing 747-200

Photo: BriYYZ from Toronto | Wikimedia Commons

The oldest 747-200F was N616US, which took its first flight in May 1975. It was followed by N619US, N630US, N629US, N640US, and N644NW. While the first five are derelict, N644NW remains stored at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport (OSC). The jumbo was first delivered to Singapore Airlines and then operated by Southern Air Transport and South African Airways before joining Northwest Airlines’ fleet. Kalitta Air was the last operator, parking the aircraft in December 2013.

The Boeing 747-400 era

By far, the most fascinating afterlife for Delta’s 747s exists for the airline’s 747-400 jets. These aircraft were retired most recently and, as a result, have reliable and extensive information available as to their current status. Delta had a total of 20 Boeing 747-400s in its fleet, which is only right for the most produced 747 variant.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 in ATL

Photo: Joseph Creamer | Shutterstock

One particular 747-400, with registration N661US, was built in 1988 and found its final resting place after decades of passenger operations with both Delta and Northwest at the Delta Flight Museum at the airline’s Atlanta-Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL) headquarters. This airframe also holds the distinction of being the first 747-400 ever built and will likely be among the last 747s still publicly accessible for decades to come.

The unique experience allows visitors to see an extremely well-preserved 747, with both business and first-class cabins still fully intact. The rear of the plane’s cabin features an exhibit dedicated to the aircraft’s history and the legacy of Delta’s 747 fleet. Passengers can even walk on some sections of the aircraft’s wings for a one-of-a-kind view.

Most of the carrier’s remaining 747-40 are derelict after being scavenged for parts. Most aircraft were retired at one of two locations, with the first being Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville, California. The carrier also ferried many of its 747-400 jets to Pinal Airport (MZJ) in Arizona, where the planes remain to this day.

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