David Field, U.S. editor for Airline Business Magazine mentioned our blog in his interview with Linda Wertheimer. Check out the interview here.
Thanks, David, and thanks to all of you for participating in our blog!
Katie
Sr. Marketing Associate – WW Communications
With all the recent buzz over our 747-400s in Delta colors, did you know Delta first flew 747s in 1970-1977? You may not, because we only operated five 747-100s. They were a little too big–seating 370 people–for our route capacity when we flew international mainly to the Caribbean and Canada. If you had a chance to work or travel in them though, you probably have some great stories about the experience.
The scene at the Atlanta airport only minutes after Delta’s first 747 arrived on October 2, 1970. 
Delta turned the upper-deck area above the first class cabin into the “world’s first flying penthouse.” It could be sold as a unit to a group traveling together.
My father-in-law, a former bank executive from Augusta, Georgia, reserved the penthouse with his wife and two other couples, flying Atlanta to Miami for a banking conference in the early 1970s. He remembers, “It was great fun, we were treated like royalty. To get the penthouse you had to have a certain number of first class tickets–an odd number. The six of us bought the extra ticket to qualify for the penthouse and we laughed about our “phantom passenger” sitting there with us. On our return flight to Atlanta, the stewardess wrapped up all the extra food prepared for the penthouse and gave it to us.”
What do you remember about Delta’s original 747s?
Marie Force
Archives Manager
Heigh-ho, Travelers!
I do hope you’ve been traveling in spite of the wintry weather. Cold is no excuse to stay home and get a case of the blahs. In fact, I’ve got a deal that will add a little sparkle to your lives: The Ruby Anniversary Package at California’s Sheraton Universal Hotel. Rubies are, of course, the symbol of a 40th anniversary. And 40 never looked so good. The Sheraton Universal—a.k.a. “Hotel of the Stars”—got a $25 million makeover last year, and you’re invited to help her celebrate.
Sign up for the, er, gem-dandy package and you’ll stay in the oh-so-luxe executive suite, enjoy a six-course meal with wine pairings at the hotel’s California’s Restaurant and savor dessert en suite (think: chocolate and Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port). The cost is $349 per night (based on double occupancy—wink! wink!). You also have the option of upgrading the package to $844 by including a pair of ruby dangle earrings from GEARYS of Beverly Hills—the perfect gift for your beloved. Hmmm . . . perhaps the Sheraton should throw in a copy of “The Ruby-at” by Omar Khayyam, as well. After your stay, just click your ruby slippers three times and you’ll be home in a jiff.
If you have an anniversary story to share—40th or otherwise—please, fill us in on the details! We’re all ears. . . .
Your faithful correspondent,
Wanda “Ruby Tuesday” Lust
Delta Sky Magazine
Ever wondered what a cabin interior looks like when it’s going through mod? It’s not pretty but the outcome will be excellent. Just like a house renovation, you can see here peering in through Door 2L, our AMT’s are hard at work renovating the cabin of 1804.
Late last week, Delta took delivery of its 7th 737-700 aircraft ship 3607. It is currently in work for its prior-to-service mods and will be our last 737 new delivery for another 6 months. We are currently in the process of reviewing our schedules to convert the numbers 3101-3104 over to the 3600 series and will have more information on timing in a future blog.
Speaking of 3100 series aircraft, ship 3102 just returned to service over this past weekend with new SAT COM equipment. She will join 3101 on the Atlanta to Manaus, Brazil run.
Wi-Fi production has begun with several more ships entering the fleet. The low dip in cold weather that Atlanta has been seeing hampered but has not harmed some of our adhesive curing. We have been able to increase the fleet to 15 aircraft with Wi-Fi. Look for 757 ships 690 and 692 flying around the system with Delta’s Wi-Fi logo installed.
Upcoming mods for February include then 75E Large Lav Tank and Sat Com mod. Ship 6803 is scheduled to induct on 09FEB where we will be increasing the volume of the lavatory tanks. 6803 will help support Delta’s newly announced Africa flying. Additionally, our first M90 aircraft will begin its prototype for Wi-Fi starting on Feb 15. Lastly, the 1st of the remaining (8) 767-300ER’s that do not currently have Sat Com will begin installation work in late February.
Mike Kotas
Fleet Programs
