Fifty years ago in New York, our first jet, Douglas DC-8 Ship 801, took off for Atlanta. We were flying the world’s first DC-8 scheduled service. Our “widget” logo also appeared for the first time in 1959, in advance ads for luxury DC-8 Royal Jet Service:
Early jets cut flying times between major cities by up to 40% and carried almost twice the passengers and cargo of larger piston-engine planes.
See this amazing transformation in airline service. Check out this wonderful series of Life magazine photos of 1956 Atlanta Airport and then this 1960 Delta film about our second jet Convair 880: Introduction to a Champion, Part 1 and Part 2.
Enjoy!
Marie Force
Archives Manager
September 18th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Wonderful tribute to Delta’s first Jetliner, Marie!
Even though the DC-8 is long gone from the Delta fleet, I think Mr. Woolman would be pleased to know that Delta flew the first revenue service of any Douglas Jetliner, and that the type has remained in service for fifty years, today. Fairly safe to say that Mr. Douglas built them to last. With that in mind, who knows what kind of celebration may be in order just a few years hence, when the DC-9 turns fifty!
September 19th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Hi Marie,
Just wanting to find out what Delta’s “Royal Jet Service” was all about??
Special first class service? different amenities than the prop aircraft? A marketing tool to be different than the other airlines at the time? I tried to look on-line and didn’t really find an answer. Thanks.
Chris
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Delta has some great early jet anniversaries coming up – looking forward to them too, Yukon 880.
Chris: Here’s features of Delta’s Royal Jet Service from our 1959 press releases:
Reserved seating, special check-in positions at the terminal, expedited baggage handling, and gifts for children.
Soft music played throughout the cabin, invoking a sense of luxury.
First Class passengers were offered complimentary champagne and choice of entrees at mealtime; Supercoach passengers were offered complimentary hot meals.
The program was based on Delta’s earlier, innovative DC-7 Royal Service: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/redtag501/DeltaRoyalService.jpg
September 25th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Nice work, Marie, as always. Is there any commemorative coin or other collectible being issued for the 50th anniversary of jet service? If so, would love to get it from the museum store. Thanks!
September 27th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I agree, some sort of recognition of 50 years of jet travel would be in order. Wouldn’t it be nice to see the delivery DC-8 scheme applied to something like a 757, perhaps even one of the “Super 757″ dash 351s!
And what about the very stylish CV-880 livery for a nice, new Triple Seven.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:55 am
A commemorative holiday ornament was just issued by the Delta Museum Store showing the Royal Jet Service logo and an early DC-8.
For more information, please call the Delta Museum Store 404-773-1219.
The ornament will be available on the Delta Museum website within the next 2 weeks.