Delta had some of the first 747-400 from circa 1989-90. However they had 6 that were delivered between 1999 until 12-2002 These were for whatever reason retired first before the ones from 1989/90. With the exception one which was retired this past january.
My question is do the late build models with some as low as 6k cycles and 55k hours have any hope of being picked up by another operator either as passenger or cargo. Delta usually likes to squeeze out every last bit of life out of their aircraft.
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- OSL777FLYER
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Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Later models will be more attractive for ACMI use or cargo conversion. Earlier models would be used until a major check was imminent and then, scrapyard. Sad to see these majestic "Queens of the skies" disappearing.
Delta does indeed like to squeeze the last bit of life out of their aircraft. Not to switch topics, but I think for this reason, the B717's will continue with Delta for a long time even though other aircraft are joining the fleet.
Delta does indeed like to squeeze the last bit of life out of their aircraft. Not to switch topics, but I think for this reason, the B717's will continue with Delta for a long time even though other aircraft are joining the fleet.
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Likely, the ones that were kept had more cycles left before heavy checks and/or already met the fuel inerting requirement mandated by the FAA.
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- 2Holer4Longhaul
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Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Boof02671 wrote:Um no they were all Northwest planes.
They were Northwest's planes once. Then, in the merger, they became Delta planes.
Northwest has been absorbed by Delta. It is no more. Deal with it.
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- deltal1011man
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Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
DL757NYC wrote:Delta had some of the first 747-400 from circa 1989-90. However they had 6 that were delivered between 1999 until 12-2002 These were for whatever reason retired first before the ones from 1989/90. With the exception one which was retired this past january.
My question is do the late build models with some as low as 6k cycles and 55k hours have any hope of being picked up by another operator either as passenger or cargo. Delta usually likes to squeeze out every last bit of life out of their aircraft.
Probably not. The demand just isn't really there.
Also, Delta has, as of late, been taking any airplanes they park(and own, obviously) and letting DMS part them out. The 747-400 does have a fair amount in common with the 767 so a lot of parts will come off of them to support the 767 fleet. Also in some cases the engines on the 744 were high time 767 engines derated down to 4056s so those engines would need an overhaul plus the work the airframe needs.
Now the leased frames, that is up to lease holder but from what I remember most of the newer frames were owned.
Boof02671 wrote:Um no they were all Northwest planes.
what was the name on the side of the airplane.....?
(hint, wasn't Northwest and starts with a D ends with a elta)
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Look at the -# Boeing designated it as NW not DL. -451 is NW not DL.
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- DarthLobster
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Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Boof02671 wrote:Look at the -# Boeing designated it as NW not DL. -451 is NW not DL.
And yet they carried a huge widget on the tail and "D E L T A" in big block letters on the fuselage. Asinine argument...
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Boof02671 wrote:Look at the -# Boeing designated it as NW not DL. -451 is NW not DL.
We get it dude.
Still Delta.
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Boof02671 wrote:Look at the -# Boeing designated it as NW not DL. -451 is NW not DL.
Which designates that NW as the original customer. It doesn't mean it remains a NW plane for the entirety of its existence.
Qantas has operated an ex-Asiana 747-400 (VH-OEB) for nearly 20 years. It is thus a 747-48E (Asiana), rather than 747-438 (Qantas) - by your own logic, you must therefore refer to it as an Asiana aircraft. But I doubt you would do that...
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- deltal1011man
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Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Boof02671 wrote:Look at the -# Boeing designated it as NW not DL. -451 is NW not DL.
So the 767-324ERs Delta operates are actually Continental aircraft even though they literally never spent a day with Continental?
Paid memberships, this is why we need them
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
deltal1011man wrote:Boof02671 wrote:Look at the -# Boeing designated it as NW not DL. -451 is NW not DL.
So the 767-324ERs Delta operates are actually Continental aircraft even though they literally never spent a day with Continental?
Paid memberships, this is why we need them
They are just sour NW EMPLOYEES the ones who wore the NW uniform until the very last day they were allowed.
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
OSL777FLYER wrote:Later models will be more attractive for ACMI use or cargo conversion.
I still will eat my hat if we ever see another 747 P2F conversion again.
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
The Delta 747 fleet was limited by the 1989-90 build durability. A fleet with only the 1999-2000 builds would have been too small. The young ones had to go out with the old ones. (Plus any pax 744 is financially obsolete today AFIK) Sometimes late build aircraft have a short service life for this reason.
Re: Delta’s 747-400 Fleet
Delta actually has an office that manages parts from those being scrapped for use on the remaining fleet or sales to other airlines, in this case of course, the sale to other airlines. All the 744s are in the process of scrapping out at Pinal as we speak.
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