In searching through Delta timetables dating from 1987 (when DL's first MD-80 was delivered) to the present, I have never found a flight to/from their Salt Lake City hub operated by MD-80 equipment. Moreover, a search of the airliners.net photo database for MD-80/Delta Air Lines/Salt Lake City produced no matches.

For what reason(s) has Delta not scheduled their MD-80s on flights to/from SLC?

I believe it is because of the "hot and high" conditions of SLC.

Copaair737 is correct. This aircraft does not perform well (economiclly) at these high altitude airports. YES it can operate safely, but does not operate scheduled service in to SLC because of the limitations that altitude and summer heat place on the aircraft. MTOW and CLW and RATOW are all impacted by the MD-88's performance in "hot and high" airports.

My roommate is a manager in the Maintenance Dept at Delta/Hartsfield - he says MD-88s don't have the performance to fly into SLC - As Copaair737 said, too hot/high. MD-90s and 737s are a better fit.   Hope that helps.

Why American MD-82 or 83 were flying to SLC daily from ORD, STL and DFW? How come not MD88? It doesn't make any sense!


Big777jet

Could it be the type of engines? Are DLs MD-88 engines different from AAs MD-82/83?

I think it's just AAs preference. They have so many Mad Dogs they gotta put them somewhere!

In addition, I think part of the reason is that the MD-88s work a lot better out East because of the route network. The MD-88 is a great plane for short hops, which Delta has many of ex-ATL and CVG, but not as much ex-SLC. The 737 has overall better performance on some of these longer pokes (greater than 500 miles) than the MD-88 does.

Jeff

Ok, I got a question.

what about Reno and Reno Air? Isn't Reno's climate much like that of Salt Lake City and infact hotter and also isn't it also a pretty high altitude there?

Yet Reno Air chose the MD-80 for its fleet.

There are Delta MD-90s here. I see them All the time. But I dont think I have seen any MD80s ever at SLC.

It's not that they CAN'T operate into SLC, it's just that Delta must figure it's better to put something else, like a 757 or 737 into SLC.

 

Well guys, I fly in and out of SLC several times a year (I go to school in Northern Utah), and I could be mistaken, but I could've SWORN that I've seen Delta MD-80's in SLC before. In fact, I'm almost sure of it.

Who knows though, I could be losing it! lol!

They also donot touch LA or SD, but I agree with what Deltairlines said because if they wanted to they could operate out of SLC. AA does it everyday with ease.

Delta uses their MD-90s for routes mostly east of DFW. From my experiences, everything on an MD equip. from the east coast to DFW is MD-80s, then DFW-west coast is majority MD-90s.

Well, its not that they can't operate them there. The fact that other airlines fly MD80s into SLC has no bearing on DL's decision. Operating a large number of MD88s that are less econimical to fly than other aircraft in the fleet-is not utilizing resources to the full advantage. As far as the poster stating that he saw MD88s--they were more than likely MD90s.

Denver is 1000 feet higher than SLC and Delta operates MD-88's DEN-ATL. I think they operated them out of Stapleton too. The hot high performance is the reason and the proximity of the SLC to the mountains, plus the runways run north and south

AA's MD-80's also have MRTG, meaning they seat about 16 people less than DL's birds... ar 210 pounds per person, that means they are full up with 3360 pounds less; combined with fairly short routes, it makes sense that AA can operate them from SLC where DL would not.

Steve

So what do they operate on most flights? 757s and 738s?

What DID they operate pre-738? All 732s, 727s, and 757s?

I haven't changed at the SLC hub since I was a wee tyke.

N

They still operate 762's and 763's. To/from SEA, ATL and CVG I think. (The one from SEA stops in SLC to/from ATL.)

Oh, and I dunno if they still do, but as of 2 years ago they operated a 767 (not sure which type) to LAS from SLC.

When I fly home from school, I always fly DL 1234, which is either a 762 or 763.

[Edited 2003-09-19 05:26:03]

In the 80s, I flew a 767 (!!!) SLC-PDX a few times.