To any SFO spotters, DL is operating a 744 today, Monday, 11/12 on DL 618, NRT-SFO, arriving 0754L. The flight arrives gate A9 and then turns to DL61, SFO-ATL, departing domestic gate 40 at 1200L.

If anyone can grab a pic, it'd be much appreciated!

A domestic 744 again? Seriously, DL why not try that out  

FlightAware lists both NRT-->SFO and SFO-->ATL as 767 today... I'm guessing this is a mistake. Why are they using a 744? And where will it go from ATL?

Edit: Delta's website does indeed list the flights as 744, but I cannot figure out where it goes next.

[Edited 2012-11-12 10:24:11]

Quoting rangercarp (Reply 2): FlightAware lists both NRT-->SFO and SFO-->ATL as 767 today... I'm guessing this is a mistake. Why are they using a 744? And where will it go from ATL? Edit: Delta's website does indeed list the flights as 744, but I cannot figure out where it goes next.

Use flightaware, N662US as the tail# and it will show SIN-NRT-SFO-ATL. As 662US is a known 747, the flights shown as 767's are incorrect as to equipment type.

[Edited 2012-11-12 11:56:20]

Quoting modesto2 (Thread starter): If anyone can grab a pic, it'd be much appreciated!

Confirmed. I saw it on final on my way to work in PA. I already asked my ground crew friend to grab a photo. Awaiting response

Here you go modesto2

Quoting mikeology (Reply 5): Here you go modesto2

Hey mikeology, thanks a bunch for the pics! Really wish I was there to see it in person.

Quoting rangercarp (Reply 2): Edit: Delta's website does indeed list the flights as 744, but I cannot figure out where it goes next.

Maintenance check, Operating ATL-NRT for the following day... My guesses

Very nice. Plane looks like it needs a bath.  

At 2 PM Eastern, I saw 2 DL 744 on the ground in ATL. One at the F gates, one in the TOC all the way pulled in. In case that helps.

SHIP 6662! been awhile..good to see she is still beautiful as always =) although, I do agree a bath may be in order. Look how close the nose comes to the building with that gate..im sure the ramper was a little stressed marshalling her to the block.

Is this the one that just came out with new interiors? I believe the last 744 with the refits came out just a couple of days ago

Quoting NWADTWE16 (Reply 10): im sure the ramper was a little stressed marshalling her to the block.

Your joking, right? There is no stress difference between marshalling a 747, 767 or A330, all of which have operated this flight. It's not marshalled in by wands the final 50-75 feet, but done with a light signal. And if the plane stops on the line that says 747, your good!!

Also, the picture at that angle makes the nose look a lot closer then it is. At A-9, where she was parked, it's at least 30 feet from the nose to the building.

Quoting as739x (Reply 12): Your joking, right? There is no stress difference between marshalling a 747, 767 or A330, all of which have operated this flight.

OK, calm down, your king of your world, no one disputes this LMFAO... the angle def does make it look closer. Rock on =)

Believe me, I'm King of no world. My wife can attest to that!!  

But these 747's do come thru now and then. Nothing new for these rampers at SFO. We seem to be the choice on the West Coast for rotating planes from Narita. The A330's are more common however.

Quoting rangercarp (Reply 2): FlightAware lists both NRT-->SFO and SFO-->ATL as 767 today... I'm guessing this is a mistake. Why are they using a 744? And where will it go from ATL?

Probably just an equipment change for an a/c that has just come back from having the interior refurbished. This is the last one done, right?

You would think that SFO could support a 744 to NRT on a daily basis.

Quoting Squid (Reply 16): You would think that SFO could support a 744 to NRT on a daily basis.

Well they sacrifice the big guy in favor of frequencies. UA, JL, NH, DL, who else?

Quoting as739x (Reply 14): We seem to be the choice on the West Coast for rotating planes from Narita. The A330's are more common however.

DL has also been rotating the 76Zs with the new cabin mods, NRT-SFO-ATL. I still remember when DL and NW used the 330 for the daily NRTSFO route.

Quoting Squid (Reply 16): You would think that SFO could support a 744 to NRT on a daily basis.

True, but when considering that SFO is a relatively small station for DL, a 767 is the more sensible option. While the NRTSFO route has plenty of flow on the NRT end (intra-Asia), there's not nearly as much flow for DL through SFO.

Quoting mayor (Reply 15): Probably just an equipment change for an a/c that has just come back from having the interior refurbished. This is the last one done, right?

Yes, this aircraft just received the new cabin interiors. The flight is normally operated with a 76U, but lately, the 76Z has made a few regular (and scheduled) appearances. The 744 is far more rare for DL operations at SFO.

Quoting Squid (Reply 16): You would think that SFO could support a 744 to NRT on a daily basis.

It did....NW used a 742 on the route for years, however it was bulk fare agency tour groups that kept it full. When the A332's arrived, NW downsized it to that aircraft and DL recently chose to downsize it further to the 763. I would think that by summer 2013, enough of the 763's should be modified with flatbeds and avod/wifi to keep it competitive.

Quoting cv880 (Reply 19): NW used a 742 on the route for years, however it was bulk fare agency tour groups that kept it full

NWA did huge business with these tour groups..i would assume Delta is keeping up ends as far as that goes but if equip on this route atleast keep getting smaller, does anyone know if Delta kept Northwests great ties with these groups?

Quoting NWADTWE16 (Reply 20): does anyone know if Delta kept Northwests great ties with these groups?

I believe that DL chose to abandon the tour based fares as business travel is more lucrative, thus the smaller aircraft.

According the flightAware, N662US is scheduled to fly DTW to NRT this afternoon, but it does not show any scheduled flight to get from ATL to DTW. I'm assuming it will sub in on one of the flights this morning, but it is not listed yet, either on FlightAware of Delta.com.

Quoting rangercarp (Reply 22): According the flightAware, N662US is scheduled to fly DTW to NRT this afternoon, but it does not show any scheduled flight to get from ATL to DTW. I'm assuming it will sub in on one of the flights this morning, but it is not listed yet, either on FlightAware of Delta.com.

Ferry Flight 9931

http://flightaware.com/live/findflight/KATL/kdtw/