I've noticed, at least on the flights I've searched for in March 2006, that flights from MSP to AMS are now with Airbus A330. Nice! Does anyone know where DC-10's are being "moved" to? Retirement, I hope?

Where do I find information on NW getting new equipment and all that?

Thanks,
Marvin

MSP-HNL, MEM-AMS, AMS-DEL, and charters, as well as DTW-SEA and DTW-MSP for the super bowl are covered by the DC-10.

NWA is slowly replacing their entire fleet of DC-10's with A330's, however, recently, as new A330's have entered service, the DC-10's have continued to fill in gaps in their long-haul fleet (I believe).

Effective 03/01, NW42 MSP-AMS will operate with DC-10, as will NW55 AMS-MSP.
Effective 04/01, NW44/43 MSP-LGW-MSP will switch from A330 to DC-10.

see the excellent website MSPupdate for some details.

The DC-10's can retire with dignity; they simply do not compare with the A330.

NW began the year with 15 DC-10 and will finish it with about 8.

The -10 are scheduled to fly 1xDTW-AMS, MEM-AMS, BOM-AMS, MSP-LGW, MSP-HNL, KIX-HNL and 1xNRT-HNL this spring. It's the same this summer, although the -10 on DTW-AMS will be "transferred" to MSP.

Note that unless the fourth DTW-AMS flight is re-upgraded with an additional 333, the aircraft will likely "take-over" a MSP flight: all DC-10 crews are MSP-based, and with the current schedule there's simply no way get the aircraft and crew back to MSP without ferrying it (or operating a domestic DTW-MSP flight, which isn't scheduled and isn't likely to happen).

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A wealth of information on NW's fleet plans is available by doing a search of previous postings.

A quick summary: NW's gotten approval to complete its A330 order; they'll have 12 A332 and 20 A333 within a couple years. They've also placed an order for 18 787, with deliveries beginning in 2008. These aircraft, along with the 16 744 (which NW is currently renegotiating leases on), will make-up NW's widebody fleet well into the future. Don't expect size to be replaced with size (e.g. 787 could replace 747 on LAX-NRT, etc.)

Now - if they could just ditch those damm DC-9s!

From fuel efficency standpoint, I certainly understand! But, the 3-2 configuration is kind of comfortable and the ride (at least up front) is very quiet, vibration-wise.

DC-10s, I did not like them becuz no AVOD and 5 seats in middle. Ugh.

DC-9's - I can live with them.

Marvin

AMS-DEL is a KL route. NW does not fly to DEL.

Beats an RJ anyday of the week

oops, I meant AMS-BOM.

NWA used to fly AMS-DEL, once upon a time, but I believe this may have been with a 747 of some sort, or maybe it was a KLM 747. Now it is a KLM MD-11.

The DC-10's are in storage at Marana - Pinal Airpark in Arizona along with a lot of other NWA planes. The DC-10's are most like going to be scrapped.

I never liked the DC-9 (better than the CRJ's) to the point I rarely fly NWA now unless I have to and I use to fly nothing but NWA.