100 YEARS OF DELTA AIR LINES
CONVAIR 440 METROPOLITAN ( 1956-1970 )
The Convair 440 was the same size as the Convair 340 , which Delta acquired in 1952 , but its improvements reduced cabin noise level and allowed heavier operating weights . When Delta retired its last Convair 440 on April 25 , 1970 , its passenger fleet was 100 % jet .
DELTA FLIGHT MUSEUM
DOUGLAS DC-8-11 ( 1959-1985 )
The 14th Douglas DC-8-11 off the assembly line was Delta ’ s N801E , Ship 801 , the Pride of Delta . Ship 801 flew the world ’ s first DC-8 passenger service . Delta Flight 823 took off from New York International Airport ( Idlewild ) for Atlanta on September 18 , 1959 , carrying 119 passengers . Delta subsequently upgraded all of its -11 variant aircraft to DC-8-12 , and later , DC-8-51 standards .
PROCTOR-LIVESEY-THOMAS COLLECTION
CONVAIR 880 ( 1960-1973 )
On February 10 , 1960 , Delta ’ s first Convair 880 set a commercial speed record during its delivery flight between San Diego , California , and Miami , Florida , ( three hours 31 minutes and 54 seconds ). On May 15 , 1960 , the same aircraft launched the world ’ s first Convair 880 service , between Houston and New York City . In December 1965 , Delta flew its first Convairs outside the USA , to Caracas , Venezuela , via Montego Bay , Jamaica .
DELTA FLIGHT MUSEUM
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