Jul 14, 2013, 4:18 am
Last edit by: Zorak
Last updated: 03/7/2018
Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-400 Fleet Status/Information
Of 16 frames: 0 Active, 1 Preserved, 15 Retired/Stored,
Registration / Ship# (Delivery Month/Yr): Status/other information
N661US / 6301 (12/89): Preserved at the Delta Flight Museum. Was the first 744 ever built. Last revenue flight was HNL-ATL arriving on the morning of 09/09/15. Arrived at the Delta Flight Museum 04/30/2016 and was renovated to be a permanent exhibit. To learn more about the project visit this website. (DL museum website is here)
N662US / 6302 (03/89): Retired, flew to MZJ on 10/15/17. Was the first 744 (in 2012) to be renovated into the 376 pax configuration after the DL/NW merger.
N663US / 6303 (01/89): SCRAPPED, flew to MZJ on 11/05/15.
N664US / 6304 (04/89): SCRAPPED, en-route (DTW-ICN) over China on 06/17/15, was severely damaged by hail. Temporary repairs to make it air-worthy were made. It flew directly from ICN to MZJ on 07/10/15.
N665US / 6305 (09/89): SCRAPPED, flew to MZJ 12/01/16. Was the first 744 (in 2008) to be re-painted in the Delta livery after the DL/NW merger.
N666US / 6306 (08/89): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/26/17. Was the last 744 (in 2017) to perform a revenue passenger flight (12/19/2017 DL158 ICN-DTW).
N667US / 6307 (07/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 11/18/17.
N668US / 6308 (07/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/06/17.
N669US / 6309 (08/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/23/17.
N670US / 6310 (08/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/26/17.
N671US / 6311 (03/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 09/30/14. Due to 6304's damage, it was pulled from storage on 06/28/15 and re-entered revenue service. Was flown back to MZJ and re-retired on 10/31/15.
N672US / 6312 (07/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/01/14.
N673US / 6313 (08/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/31/16.
N674US / 6314 (10/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 01/03/18. Was the last 744 in the fleet to retire (in 2018).
N675NW / 6315 (03/02): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/25/15.
N676NW / 6316 (04/02): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/01/14.
Fleet Notes:
Final scheduled flight: DL158 ICN-DTW 12/19/17 (N666US).
Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-400 Fleet Status/Information
Of 16 frames: 0 Active, 1 Preserved, 15 Retired/Stored,
Registration / Ship# (Delivery Month/Yr): Status/other information
N661US / 6301 (12/89): Preserved at the Delta Flight Museum. Was the first 744 ever built. Last revenue flight was HNL-ATL arriving on the morning of 09/09/15. Arrived at the Delta Flight Museum 04/30/2016 and was renovated to be a permanent exhibit. To learn more about the project visit this website. (DL museum website is here)
N662US / 6302 (03/89): Retired, flew to MZJ on 10/15/17. Was the first 744 (in 2012) to be renovated into the 376 pax configuration after the DL/NW merger.
N663US / 6303 (01/89): SCRAPPED, flew to MZJ on 11/05/15.
N664US / 6304 (04/89): SCRAPPED, en-route (DTW-ICN) over China on 06/17/15, was severely damaged by hail. Temporary repairs to make it air-worthy were made. It flew directly from ICN to MZJ on 07/10/15.
N665US / 6305 (09/89): SCRAPPED, flew to MZJ 12/01/16. Was the first 744 (in 2008) to be re-painted in the Delta livery after the DL/NW merger.
N666US / 6306 (08/89): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/26/17. Was the last 744 (in 2017) to perform a revenue passenger flight (12/19/2017 DL158 ICN-DTW).
N667US / 6307 (07/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 11/18/17.
N668US / 6308 (07/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/06/17.
N669US / 6309 (08/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/23/17.
N670US / 6310 (08/90): Retired, flew to MZJ 12/26/17.
N671US / 6311 (03/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 09/30/14. Due to 6304's damage, it was pulled from storage on 06/28/15 and re-entered revenue service. Was flown back to MZJ and re-retired on 10/31/15.
N672US / 6312 (07/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/01/14.
N673US / 6313 (08/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/31/16.
N674US / 6314 (10/99): Retired, flew to MZJ 01/03/18. Was the last 744 in the fleet to retire (in 2018).
N675NW / 6315 (03/02): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/25/15.
N676NW / 6316 (04/02): Retired, flew to MZJ 10/01/14.
Fleet Notes:
Final scheduled flight: DL158 ICN-DTW 12/19/17 (N666US).
DL 747 fleet operation
May 21, 2013 | 9:50 am
#151
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I am pretty sure that when CX started the JFK-HKG nonstop, they used an A340-600. Later they switched to the 777.
I don't think they ever used a 747 on that route. I was under the impression that a 747 could not make the JFK-HKG trip. Heck, I go back far enough to remember Anchorage re-fueling stops on NW 17 (747-200 that did the JFK-NRT run).
FWIW, I really like the refurbished 747s. The flat bed seats in BE are a step above the 777 seats.
I don't think they ever used a 747 on that route. I was under the impression that a 747 could not make the JFK-HKG trip. Heck, I go back far enough to remember Anchorage re-fueling stops on NW 17 (747-200 that did the JFK-NRT run).
FWIW, I really like the refurbished 747s. The flat bed seats in BE are a step above the 777 seats.
I don't think CX ever used a 747 JFK-HKG. That said, I vaguely recall UA using a 747 on the route many years ago, maybe in the early 2000s? And I've flown the 747 ORD-HKG, and JFK-HKG is not that much further. I think a 747 JFK-HKG might be near the top of the range, and thus likely be more subject to adverse conditions such as too strong headwinds (meaning they'd have to land to refuel).
May 21, 2013 | 11:42 am
#153
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Does DL have any 747s parked in the dessert that could be reconfigured and used? This would take time, probably most of the heavy summer travel season, but it might be a long term solution. Or DL could buy a couple old ones from another carrier, since DL seems to like to purchase and refurbish cheap old airframes. SQ just got rid of their last few 747s and at least these were well maintained.
Last edited by sbagdon; May 21, 2013 at 11:49 am
May 21, 2013 | 12:38 pm
#154
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I don't think CX ever used a 747 JFK-HKG. That said, I vaguely recall UA using a 747 on the route many years ago, maybe in the early 2000s? And I've flown the 747 ORD-HKG, and JFK-HKG is not that much further. I think a 747 JFK-HKG might be near the top of the range, and thus likely be more subject to adverse conditions such as too strong headwinds (meaning they'd have to land to refuel).
CX used the 346
May 21, 2013 | 12:40 pm
#155
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I think those older NWA birds were 747-200s so not as useful now. Pretty sure I flew on a NWA -200 about 10 years ago from Japan (wasn't NRT though) to SIN. As far as I'm aware, DL refurbed and is using all of the -400s that they have.
May 21, 2013 | 12:57 pm
#156
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Location: SEA — the REAL Washington; occasionally (but a lot less often than before) in the other Washington (DCA area)
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Posts: 21,908
the NW -200s were delivered between 1979-1986 and left the fleet between 2005-2010
DL still has all 16 -400s delivered to NW (1989 - 6; 1990 - 4; 1999 - 4; 2002 - 2)
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/N...-0-typeasc.htm
May 21, 2013 | 1:10 pm
#157
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May 21, 2013 | 1:18 pm
#158
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,117
I'm not basing this on anything, but my guess is they scrapped trying to return it to service immediately when they flew the spare over, and now doing any other preemptive maintenance before flying it to SEA to start SEA-NRT on june 1st. Would have had to reposition a bird from NRT anyway.
May 21, 2013 | 1:43 pm
#159
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As for DL's issues with their 747-400's, DL fully knows it needs replacements for at least some or all of the 747-400s for the future, but no official order has yet been placed whether it be a combination of used and/or new aircraft or even spare parts planes.
Cathay Pacific which is in process of phasing out older 747-400s has a strategy of 777-300ER as replacements and the oldest they have is on par with the DL ones.
DL's moves will be known eventually.
Last edited by adamj023; May 21, 2013 at 1:48 pm
May 21, 2013 | 4:37 pm
#160
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IIRC the 747-200s did get the WBC angled flat shell seats just like the A330s have. (Does anyone remember for sure?) They're not flat beds, but they're not so old generation that they couldn't be used if in good condition. They'd be much better than the PMDL nonreconfigured 767-300 interiors, especially if they were given a good cleaning.
May 21, 2013 | 5:18 pm
#161
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After the announcement of DTW-ICN going to 747 in August, I am wondering how DL is going to utilize their 16 747's...
Right now it's already spread pretty thin..
13 birds are required to maintain the schedule:
DL is going to need 2 additional birds for DTW-ICN-DTW, bringing the total to 15/16.
Assuming the spare bird stays at NRT, this means any maintenance schedule must be coordinated to allow the spare bird to reposition, leaving the entire fleet without spares for IRROPS! Does anyone else think this is NUTS?
Looking at the current routes for post DTW-ICN change, all still show 747.
What do you think? Will any routes lose the 747 eventually? The obvious candidates are NRT-BKK and HNL-KIX since they are independent from other routes..
Am I missing something?
Right now it's already spread pretty thin..
13 birds are required to maintain the schedule:
- 7 birds for arrivals/departures in NRT (ATL, JFK, DTW, BKK, TPE, MNL, HNL)
- 1 bird overnighting in ATL
- 2 birds for JFK-TLV
- 2 birds for DTW-NGO-MNL-NGO-DTW
- 1 bird for HNL-KIX
DL is going to need 2 additional birds for DTW-ICN-DTW, bringing the total to 15/16.
Assuming the spare bird stays at NRT, this means any maintenance schedule must be coordinated to allow the spare bird to reposition, leaving the entire fleet without spares for IRROPS! Does anyone else think this is NUTS?
Looking at the current routes for post DTW-ICN change, all still show 747.
What do you think? Will any routes lose the 747 eventually? The obvious candidates are NRT-BKK and HNL-KIX since they are independent from other routes..
Am I missing something?
Also confirmed here on Airliners.net (Yea I know not the best source) http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/5756486 Posts #32 & 35.
May 21, 2013 | 5:21 pm
#162
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. If DL starts this route, it will be with a 777.
May 21, 2013 | 5:29 pm
#163
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JFK to HKG is only served by Cathay Pacific. There is no open skies agreement and due to HKG being in China it seems unlikely that any competition will be able to come from Delta or other carriers on this route.
May 21, 2013 | 5:35 pm
#164
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I don't see why not. DL flew DTW to HKG not to long ago. JFK to HKG could work. Like you said, other then Cathay out of JFK and UA out of EWR, thats it.
May 21, 2013 | 5:46 pm
#165
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The USA would like to have Open Skies and Delta would be in the running for a JFK to HKG route possibly, but to date, there has been no approval on such between the two nations and it seems unlikely at this point in time.
Some countries are freely open and receptive to other carriers but Hong Kong which is now part of China is not. The link i posted was for the existing agreement in place.