100 YEARS OF DELTA AIR LINES
BOEING 767-400 ( ER ) ( 2000-PRESENT )
In 1997 , amid its plans to retire its L-1011s , Delta became the launch customer for the final extendedrange version of the Boeing 767 — the -400 ( ER )— which featured improved electrical and air conditioning systems , the ability to handle heavier takeoff weights , ‘ raked ’ wingtips to increase fuel efficiency , and a 777-style interior . Delta took delivery of its first 767-400 ( ER ) on August 11 , 2000 , and began replacing its L-1011s on high-volume domestic flights from Atlanta to several cities in Florida . In 2007 , the airline announced plans to convert its whole 767-400 ( ER ) fleet to an international configuration , featuring a BusinessElite cabin . It completed the overhaul in 2009 .
MICHAEL CARTER
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-41 / -51 ( 2008-2014 )
After an absence of almost 16 years , McDonnell Douglas DC-9s returned to the Delta fleet . These aircraft came from Northwest Airlines , which merged with Delta on October 29 , 2008 . The merged airline operated 12 model -41s and 34 model -51s . The DC-9-40s remained in Northwest colors until the airline retired them in 2010 and 2011 . The DC-9-50s lasted longer — until flight DL1965 from Minneapolis to Atlanta on January 6 , 2014 .
CORY W . WATTS
BOEING 747-400 ( 2008-2017 )
The 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008 brought the Boeing 747 back to Delta after a 30-year absence . The airline had 16 747-400s until 2017 , when it replaced them with more efficient , twin-engine aircraft such as the Airbus A350 .
LORENZO GIACOBBO
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