Use this touchscreen to take a closer look at the cockpits and interiors of some of
the Delta
Flight Museum’s historic aircraft. As you explore each aircraft consider how both
technology and
style has changed over the last 100 years.
Restored 1931 Curtiss-Wright 6B Sedan painted in International orange and black of earlier 1929 Travel Air S-6000-B. Tail number NC8878 celebrates the Travel Air that flew Delta’s first passengers on June 17, 1929.
Delta Captain Doug Rounds completed initial restoration with family and friends from 1975 to 1983. Delta purchased the plane in 1985, and put it on display at headquarters in Atlanta.
Second-delivered DC-3 of Delta's order for five new planes from Douglas Aircraft Co. The first-delivered DC-3, Ship 40, named “City of Atlanta,” was being used for pilot training, so Ship 41 became the first DC-3 to carry Delta passengers. Entered scheduled service on December 24, 1940.
The only Delta passenger Douglas DC-3 to combine 1940s vintage style with modern avionics. No ot-3 in the other DC-3 in the world has been restored with such attention to detail.
Delta launched the world’s first Convair 880 commercial service on May 15, 1960, between Houston and New York. Delta customers could initially fly Convair 880s from New York to Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans. The Convair 880, built with a narrow, short fuselage, was the fastest four-engine commercial jet until the Boeing 747.
This Convair 880 cockpit is from the prototype aircraft that was used for testing until it started scheduled service with Trans World Airlines in 1964.
Original fuselage section of the first L-1011 Tristar built by Lockheed. It was only used for test flights. After the plane retired, a Delta aircraft maintenance team traveled to Ardmore, Oklahoma, in 1989, and salvaged a 65-feet section of the fuselage from cockpit to wing. They split the section into three pieces and trucked the pieces to Atlanta.
The recovery team created a mock-up aircraft as a set for photography sessions and filming movies, commercials and in-flight safety videos. It rested on a frame that supported and moved the three sections to allow wide camera angles. Exterior painted in classic widget livery worn by Delta L-1011’s from 1973-2001.
Today the L-1011 is only available as a conference room for rent.
In Spring 1982, the airline industry was troubled by a weak economy, high fuel prices and deregulation. After 35 consecutively profitable years, Delta posted a net loss. As a way of expressing their appreciation for company support during this trying time, Delta employees spearheaded “Project 767” to raise money to pay for Delta’s first Boeing 767. Led by three flight attendants, the project was an inspiring effort to raise $30 million through the combined donations of employees, retirees and friends.
On December 15, 1982, over 7,000 employees, friends and the international media gathered at Delta’s Technical Operations Center, to present the airline with its first Boeing 767, Ship 102, christened “The Spirit of Delta.”
Spirit flew as an ambassador of Delta pride and culture for over 23 years. Painted in special liveries to celebrate 1996 Atlanta Olympics and Delta's 75th Anniversary in 2004. Retired on February 12, 2006, after flying 70,697 hours and 34,389 trip cycles.
This was the last 737-200 simulator made by CAE, Inc. It was used to train Delta pilots from 1999-2014. Relocated from Delta Operations Control Center 3 (OC3) to the Delta Flight Museum in March 2014.
This simulator provides experience of flying Delta's Boeing 737-232 aircraft. Users experience a six-degree-of-freedom, synergistic simulator motion system. This simulator is the only one of its kind in the U.S. available for public use.
Reservations are required for 1-4 people per experience, ages 16 and over. Simulator guests receive a 10-minute preflight briefing, 45 minutes of flight time and a 5-minute review at the end of the experience. Contact the museum lobby desk for complete costs and details.
