Classic Corner

Pan Am Lockheed L-1011 TriStar-500 N501PA "Clipper Eagle" MSN 1176 F/F 11/16/79 Del 7/2/81

The image above defines an era of upcoming seismic changes within the US airline industry. Pan Am remained the de-facto US flag carrier, and at the time of this picture being taken in 1982, observers would be hard pressed to imagine this iconic airline was in it's last decade of existence, with just 9 years of existence remaining.

Pan Am DC-10-10 N65NA "Clipper Silver Star" MSN 46707 F/F 9/8/72 Delivered 10/13/72 National Airlines "Eileen"

Pan Am, the original and best known operator of Boeing's 747, had by this time, also acquired a handful of L-1011s to serve long range Pacific routes, and lower capacity transatlantic sectors. The airline also had the dubious distinction of operating the TriStar's arch competitor - the McDonnell Douglas' DC-10, having inherited a fleet of the latter in it's January 1980 takeover of National Airlines.

Both types would be gone from Pan Am's fleet by the mid-80s, replaced by more efficient twin engine A310-300s, while the aging 747s soldiered on until the end (12/4/91).

I'm privileged to have flown both tri-jet aircraft types in small numbers, although not with Pan Am (an airline I  never flew on).

July 16th 1994 - London Gatwick

Delta Air Lines, in 1994 was still largely a US domestic airline, but did operate a variety of transatlantic services to Europe, and in the UK, operated to London's secondary airport - Gatwick. Delta had, like most US majors in the early 70s, acquired 747s, but finding them too large for typical coast to coast services (New York to Los Angeles / San Francisco) disposed of it's fleet by 1975. Thereafter, until the arrival of 767s in the early 80s, Delta's only widebody in the late 70s was Lockheed's L-1011 widebody tri-jet. [For the record, a few DC-10s were also leased for a brief period of time].

Delta Air Lines Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar N765DA MSN 1206 F/F 8/26/81 Delivered Air Canada C-GAGG 9/11/81, Delta Air Lines N765DA 8/91

The aircraft above was my ride from Gatwick that summer's day in 1994 from London to Miami (yes- Delta had a nonstop London - Miami service in those days). Note - the predominant aircraft types at New York's JFK back then was 747 classics - a type also now long gone in the long haul aircraft fleets.

This trip was only my second to the United States, the first being in November 1993 (First visit to the United States)

And this trip was a long one, 12 flights, and over two weeks of travel. My then boss dictated which airline we flew, and for this trip it was entirely on Delta (whereas my first - see blog link above - was by future STAR Alliance partners Air New Zealand and United Airlines).

Checking in at London Gatwick: I was standing in line (economy class of course), when a suited gentleman (agent) approached me and said (I quote): "how would you like to fly business class today?" Well I liked that prospect very much, but had no idea why I was picked out. I had never flown Delta before, alliances and frequent flyer programs didn't exist in the way they do now. I was however dressed very smartly - and I think that was it - there's no other explanation except I had a lengthy Delta itinerary ahead of me. I stupidly said "can I still have a smoking seat?" and almost lost this gift from the gods. I of course took the biz class seat, and ended up anyways in the smoking section. Good deal all round!

We departed a hot and humid Gatwick with a very long take off run, using the entire runway...followed by a languished climb out to cruise. Service: excellent, in an old style clubby way. Big bucket seats (flat beds not dreamed of yet on any carrier), no need to turn off electronic devises - we had none. Good steak lunch / dinner, lashings of free booze...smoking ok. You'd meet a lot of folks in those days, whenever you went to the bathroom...a smoker in the non-smoking section would 'borrow' your seat.

The prospect of arriving in Miami was tantalizing...sunny and perfect beaches, cool clubs and cool people the adverts showed. Miami Vice vibe personified. Not the case: was of course mid summer, incredibly hot and humid, an underlying menace in the air around the various off airport and unsafely located back alley car rental agencies. My first impression of Miami pretty much cemented a long term distaste for the city and state, but I nonetheless have traveled there many times and made some great friends, and had a lot of good times.

Apart from a few sales and training visits, my four days in Miami were mostly spent getting to know our Miami based sales team. Home was a roach motel just off airport, but great for plane spotting, and enjoying the company of some 'alternative' characters.

Delta MD-88 N919DE MSN 53422 L/N 2058 Delivered Delta 11/3/93 - Current

July 19th 1994: The MD-80 above was my next ride from Miami to New York (JFK). The air vents were 'smoking' as the A/C attempted to cool the aircraft. This was an early morning 7AM-ish flight, and it was already very hot in Miami. New York was equally hot when we arrived at Delta's worldport (ex-Pan Am) terminal. There followed my first mad taxi ride from JFK into Manhattan, marveling at the incredible sight of the city - an awesome and surreal experience when it's for your very first time. I kind of landed my very first american girlfriend this night...a steamy night in the city in all respects!

July 22nd 1994: After two days in the city, it was time for a day trip to Washington, DC, courtesy of the Delta Shuttle, operated from the marine air terminal at La Guardia airport. Both flights were operated by classic 727-200s, N417DA (delivered 12/8/76, broken up Opa-Locka, FL 1/01) in the morning, and back on N471DA that evening.

Delta 727-232 N471DA MSN 21259 L/N 1224 Delivered 11/15/73 Retired Victorville, CA 10/12/99

July 24th 1994: After a couple more days in New York City, and in excellent female company, it was time to move westwards, initially with a 767-300 (Non ER) flight between La Guardia and Cincinnati (at the time a major Delta hub). Departing LGA on a wide body was an interesting experience. At the time, L-1011s, DC-10s and 767s all operated out of La Guardia on US domestic routes, typically to major hubs.

Delta Boeing 767-322 N136DL MSN 25146 L/N 374 Delivered 6/15/91 Stored Marana, AZ 10/3/16

In the background no less than three Delta liveries can be seen on the tails of aircraft parked at DL's Atlanta maintenance base: Original, as in the 767 above, interim colors on the 737, and new colors on the 757. None of which of course survive today

The stop at Cincinnati was simply to change planes, with the next sector being on a 10 year old and immaculate 737-200 to Chicago O'Hare

Delta Boeing 737-232 N320DL MSN 23092 L/N 1023 Delivered 6/1/84, Sold 9/25/05

Currently in service with Northern Air Cargo, and still registered N320DL. The aircraft was converted to a freighter 11/06

July 27th 1994: after an enjoyable first visit to the windy (and very warm) city of Chicago, I headed to the west coast, observing for the first time in daylight, the incredible expanse and unbelievable enormity of the United States. A 727-200 flew us from Chicago to Salt Lake City, and an L-1011 TriStar-1 from Salt Lake City to Portland, OR

Delta Boeing 727-232 N469DA MSN 20746 L/N 981 Delivered 10/18/73 Retired Victorville, CA 10/12/99

Delta Lockheed L-1011 TriStar-1 N733DS MSN 1224 Delivered 12/11/81 Retired Victorville, CA 5/01

July 29th 1994: After a brief visit to Portland, my next destination was to San Francisco, a city I've loved ever since, and happily just a two hour drive from my current home in Sacramento, CA. Another 727-200 flight on a sparkling clear summer morning. I recall the flight was almost entirely full of Japanese tourists, all of whom clapped in appreciation upon landing at SFO. Or perhaps relief...that first landing is spectacular and slightly heart stopping, when you are so low over the water, and then suddenly the tarmac appears...and you've arrived.

August 2nd 1994: after a few magical days in San Francisco, good business and leisure time, it was time to head to Los Angeles for a few days, this time being transported by a 757-200

Delta Boeing 757-232 N637DL MSN 23760 L/N 171 Delivered 4/13/88, Retired Kansas City, MO 5/17/13

August 6th 1994: a few days in LA and Orange County passed quickly (and no, at this time it was a couple of years before I would actually live here...an unimaginable concept for me in 1994)...and it was now time to return to England, via a 757-200 Los Angeles to Cincinnati, connecting to an L-1011-500 flight to London Gatwick. No such repeat experience with an upgrade to business class...this last flight was a truly awful uncomfortable middle seat coach experience, that I was truly glad to disembark from the following morning. But, great to have enjoyed flying these classic aircraft types.

Delta Boeing 757-232 N642DL MSN 23996 L/N 205 Delivered 12/22/88 Retired Blytheville, AR 9/30/13

Seen above still in delivery colors at Atlanta in May 2001

Delta Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500 N756DR MSN 1185 Delivered 1/85 Retired in 2001

On this trip, most aircraft I flew on were delivered new to Delta, except this L-1011 above, my last flight, along with the L-1011 that I started the trip on (ex-Air Canada). This TriStar was originally delivered to Pan Am 6/6/80 as N507PA named "Clipper Northern Eagle" before being sold to Delta five years later, as Pan Am attempted to streamline and rationalize it's diverse fleet.

This was an overall great trip with multiple Delta segments, and no problems I recall at all. Also a fascinating first visit to some amazing US cities, with New York, Chicago and San Francisco the stand outs, and a regular part of my itineraries and visits for years to come. Five weeks later, I would again be in the United States on a lengthy seven segment trip, but with a more diverse selection of airlines and aircraft types...that's for another classic corner story, on another bank holiday weekend sometime.