c5load From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 917 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 20073 times:
Unfortunately, I was employed with Delta about a year and a half after they retired the MD-11 so I never got a chance to ride on it. How many MD-11s did DL have and what kind of routes were they run on? Were they the standard European runs, aka: FRA, LGW, CDG, etc plus the daily ATL-NRT? Did they do any Hawaii routes, South Africa, S. America, Asia? Did they do a lot of domestic routes more than int'l, or was it vice-versa?
"But this airplane has 4 engines, it's an entirely different kind of flying! Altogether"
srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16888 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (3 years 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 19985 times:
Some of the routes:
ATL-MCO (At one point, DL was operating all of their widebodies on this route at least once a day.
ATL-PDX
PDX-NRT
PDX-NGO
CVG-PDX
JFK-NRT
LAX-NRT
ATL-FRA
PDX-FUK
PDX-HKG
They were definitely their Transpacific workhorse. I took several non-rev joyrides between ATL and PDX (and back) up in BusinessElite because those flights were tag on legs to the PDX-NRT flight and were domestic flights with international service.
n901wa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 382 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 19905 times:
We had 15 PW powered MD-11's, and we had 2 Leased CF-6 MD-11's (Ships 891 and 892) The leased MD-11's went away as soon as the newer PW bird showed up. Some had the extra belly fuel tanks, and N815DE had the Bat wing Flap track fairings. I think we still own 1 or 2 (803 and 804? ) that are leased to World. But not sure about that. I also remember LAX -FRA but not sure if it stopped somewhere. I Thought it was non-stop. HTH
lucky777 From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 460 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 19893 times:
It also briefly did an MCO-LAX-NRT run all under the same flight number. I had the pleasure of non-reving on it from LAX-NRT, PDX-NRT, ATL-PDX, NRT-ATL, and PDX-SEL. I thought it was a fantastic aircraft to fly in. Very powerful, pretty quiet, and the interior dimensions were only slightly smaller than a 777.
DeltaFFinDFW From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1383 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 19363 times:
Commavia From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 10188 posts, RR: 63 Reply 15, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 19291 times:
aa61hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 16, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 19281 times:
Unless it was a sub, it was a L1011 for quite a while. I don't recall ever seeing a MD-11 doing that run.
With that said I know DL subbed a MD-11 on ATL-DFW-ATL once in a while.
drerx7 From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 4905 posts, RR: 9 Reply 17, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 19251 times:
It was never on DFW-HNL. That was always an L15 that ran ATL-DFW-HNL DL16 and 17 IIRC (or DL16&DL15) it was one of those two pairs. I flew the ATL-DFW portion once.
burnsie28 From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 7411 posts, RR: 9 Reply 18, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 19240 times:
When I flew DL to FRA in 2002, I noticed that one of the MD-11's sitting at the gate was going to Athens. I also know they flew ATL-NRT.
"Some People Just Know How To Fly"- Best slogan ever, RIP NW 1926-2009
aa61hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 19, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 19082 times:
CX flyboy From Hong Kong, joined Dec 1999, 6338 posts, RR: 56 Reply 21, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 19013 times:
HKG almost always got N804DE and N806DE. I believe those two aircraft were different to the rest of them. They flew HKG-LAX and had larger fuel tanks or something.
milesrich From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1855 posts, RR: 7 Reply 22, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 18554 times:
Quoting drerx7 (Reply 17): It was never on DFW-HNL. That was always an L15 that ran ATL-DFW-HNL DL16 and 17 IIRC (or DL16&DL15) it was one of those two pairs. I flew the ATL-DFW portion once.
It was DL 16 and DL 17 and I took them quite a few times, and they were L-1011-250's not 500. They rotated with DL 53 and 54, the ATL-HNL nonstops. One aircraft would operate ATL-HNL-DFW-ATL and the other would operate ATL-DFW-HNL-ATL. I am not saying they never subbed -500's on the route, but they were scheduled with 295 seat two class L-1011-250's. The L-1011-1's held 302, and I think the L-1011-500 held 241 or thereabouts. In the late 80's, DL used three class L-1011's on the route with First, Business (8 across like the original coach), and Coach with 9 across. (2-5-2). Check an old system timetable, they had the seating capacities, but I remember the availables on the L-1011 from the 90's from flying as a non rev.
milesrich From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1855 posts, RR: 7 Reply 24, posted (3 years 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 18107 times:
26 mayor: There was also an ATL-ATH-ATL route with the MD-11. I flew back to the states on it in the late 90s.
27 MSY772LR: Correct Not only that, but N806DE was IIRC the first of the DL fleet to test the infamous MD-11 "wedge"... hence another reason for it being used on
29 MSY772LR: Its proper name is "Divergent Trailing Edge" and it's commonly (but mistakenly) used synonymously with the term "microflap." It's basically meant to
30 B727LVR: Did some quick research.... N801DE leased to world now N294UP with UPS. N803DE leased to world now N296UP with UPS. N804DE leased to world now N295UP
31 chrisair: [/quote] DFW-ATL was a scheduled M11 route for a while. I nonreved on it a few times. Even flew DFW-JAX-ATL after ATL shut due to tstms. Was very odd
32 CV990A: I got lucky and flew CVG-LGW-CVG on a DL MD-11 right before the route switched over to 767s. I flew JFK-CVG-LGW r/t over one of the JFK-LHR nonstops j
34 MSYtristar: LAX-ANC-HKG was started with a L1011-500 operating once weekly. It was scheduled nonstop once the M11's arrived.[Edited 2010-05-04 04:21:05]
35 DL_Mech: And TPE usually got N805DE and N807DE. All four planes had Aux Fuel tanks in the forward cargo hold and Phase III 4460 engines.
36 DLPMMM: I flew on the MD- 11 more than once ATL-GRU. Two aborted take offs in one night due to an engine O2 sensor light. Overnight delay in Sao Paulo.
37 cokepopper: Which ship # had the fire and is it still in sevice?
38 MSYtristar: Pretty sure it was 803 that had the fire. Not sure where she went.
39 mayor: I remember the rumor floating around at the time the decision was being made on a/c type to purchase. Supposedly the choice was the 747-400 or the MD-
40 xtoler: I forgot DL had those. I didn't even think about it until now, but I usually see a World MD11 or DC10 parked by the DL MX hangars in ATL. Of course my
41 KU747: I remember very well seeing DL MD-11 at DXB before Sep 11th, it was ATL-DXB-ATL.
42 TYCOON: Yes, DL flew the MD11 down to GRU. One time they had to switch take-off direction since the plane was too heavy... once at take off position, we had t
43 STT757: I remember MCO-LAX-NRT, back when DL was still the "Official Airline" of Walt Disney World.
44 panamair: No, back then the routing was JFK-CAI-DXB (3x weekly) Yes, the M11 also did JFK-CDG-BOM back when DL actually had double daily JFK-CDG (one on the M1
45 nycbjr: I had the pleasure of Flying a DL MD-11 in BE JFK-CDG
47 DL1011: And TPE usually got N805DE and N807DE. All four planes had Aux Fuel tanks in the forward cargo hold. Yes, ANC was a fuel stop for the L1011 on the LA
48 B727LVR: I heard from a boeing AOG team member that is was N802DE, which is now with UPS as N293UP. I was told that he was on the team that was sent to ATL fo
49 ocracoke: It was non-stop. Flight 57/58. At first, an L-1011. Then it went to an MD-11. Then continued on to BOM. LAX-FRA-BOM. Then when the FRA hub was pulled
50 Istanbuler83: ATL-IST-ATL was also operated by MD 11s for a certain period of time. I don't know exatly how long. It was like in 2000 or 2001. JFK-IST-JFK was B767-
51 N92R03: I flew from MIA to LHR on an MD-11 back in 1998 or 1999. I thought is was on DL, but could it have been AA?
52 MSY772LR: DL never had the rights to serve LHR until open-skies. Even when PA used its aircraft, the M11 was not among them.
53 MLD9S: Here is a random sampling of Delta MD-11 routes and flights. I am sure I missed some of the domestic flights, but this should at least give you a good
54 flflyer: And TPE usually got N805DE and N807DE. All four planes had Aux Fuel tanks in the forward cargo hold. Yes, ANC was a fuel stop for the L1011 on the LA
55 flflyer: Flew numerous times from LAX-MCO and return. Great flights with three classes of services
56 aerdingus: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Delta...McDonnell-Douglas-MD-11/0217135/M/ I remember hearing about a DL MD11 that ran off the runway here at DUB in hi
57 FlyNWA727: This really miss the days when DC-10s, L-1011s, MD-11s, A300s, 747s, and other widebodies were major staples in the fleets and domestics routes of U.S
58 skyliner747: I was a F/A on it and really loved that plane, until one of the world's worst cabin mods took one of the most impressive cabins (of the time) and turn
59 eicvd: Yeah I look out for the 2 DL flights every day & id love to see an A330 or 744 or 77E/77L subbed in
61 JT8DJET: I worked on her the other day, and yes, she was the one that had the #3 engine fire.
62 dairbus: I worked the International ramp for DL during 2001-2002. One route which has not been mentioned yet was ATL-FCO. The MD-11 was a great plane to fly on
63 n901wa: Hi skyliner747. The 10 abreast MD-11's were 891 and 892. They were the Leased Mutsui birds. Everyone thought it was for a Japanese Airline because of
64 mayor: Correct, in a way. The interchange with PA included both LHR and FRA, using DC-8s and 747-100s.
65 Alias1024: So which airplanes went to TPE and had Aux Fuel tanks?
66 DL1011: Remember that really nice etched artwork/world map on the f/c galley wall? It was fantastic.
67 swabrian: My wife and I along with a few other nonrevs and one paying passenger flew on Delta's first revenue MD-11 Flight. It used N892DL and it was Flight #40
68 LipeGIG: I remember seeing some times them in GIG. It was a nice vision replaced by Varig M11 fleet.
69 skyliner747: I loved the "wowie wall" as we called in CVG. It was so impresssive. Couldn't believe they took it out when they did the mod. Remember also the extra
70 cokepopper: - Yes the "wowie wall" ! and I almost forgot the "testing" of the espresso makers. Didn't last long We also had the built in bottle openers.
71 sparky35805: N813DE was the only MD11 painted in the 2000 colors.It became N526FE with Fed Ex and was lost in a landing accident at NRT last year. Sparky
72 WesternA318: ATL-ATH was also an MD-11 route for a long time as well.
73 DL1011: Weren't they cappuccino machines? I seem to recall a lot of write-ups that the milk wasn't frothy enough. Being diligent maintenance technicians, hav
74 n901wa: I wish they would put that Wowie wall at the Delta Muesum in ATL. Im sure its in storage somewhere. That carpet was nice and thick I still mis working
75 N707PA: There are at least two at the TOC in ATL, but most ended up in Cambridge, England where the BizElite mods were done. Blame JAMCO for that one.....
77 EMB170: Didn't they also do ATL-EZE (DL 101/DL 110) back in 2001 when the route first started?
78 DL1011: Great photo Tama! I usually wouldn't run from work EXCEPT when it came to those faucets. I'd take just about any other job! I know a lot of people did
79 n901wa: Thanks. I miss the MD-11 too. I learned a lot and had fun. You know, I am the only one left in the photo. I still see my fellow Junkyard Wars Warrior
81 cokepopper: Not quite sure how to find it, but I worked that flight just prior to 9/11 One of the few MD-11 flights that we had out of NYC. TLV,NRT,CAI-DBI,CDG
82 TOMMY767: Anybody found that one in a timetable? I remember seeing an M11 on JFK-NRT in 1999. I believe they also flew JFK-TLV with the M11 between 1999-2001 (
83 cokepopper: I could be wrong (going on memory) but the following are all I believed we had (intl) out of NYC. The MD-11's were flying around for almost 10 years
84 EMB170: I want to say that I remember the JFK-NRT M11s as DL 24/DL 25 (or was it 25/26?) JFK-CAI-DXB was DL 120/DL 121 IIRC.
85 rwSEA: Yep. In September of 2000, I distinctly remember flying ATL-AMS.
86 airtechy: I flew the PDX to BKK flight many times. AH...memories of the old airport in Bangkok. We once were delayed out of BKK because the captain said the com
87 mayor: As I recall, this was the second time we had a route to TLV, after the original PA route was discontinued. This particular route in the late 90s didn
88 timz: It's not in the 11/00, and it is in the 4/01-- flights 25/26.
89 dairbus: I flew JFK-NRT-JFK as a non-rev in April 2001. I remember this trip in particular because I first tried the ATL-NRT flight and got bumped because of
90 c5load: Wow! I haven't been on here for a few days, but holy crap! I didn't expect nearly this many replies about DL's MD-11s. I take it they were (and still
91 DL1011: I hear you. It's a sign that we are no longer spring chickens!! http://www.westernairlines.org/breakfast2.html There were some nice people working th
92 n901wa: I was on that day. It was the other guys, and it started with a chattering brake. They wanted to mco the ctr gear and tried to stow it without droppin
93 m11stephen: Do you have any pictures of the Wowie wall? Thanks!
94 Cessna172RG: Ok, Delta needs to bring back PDX-FUK ASAP...that city needs a west coast connection pronto.
95 slcpdxatl: There is also one in the ATL international flight attendant lounge in E concourse
96 mayor: Quick, someone take a photo and post it on here!!
97 DL1011: I knew about Roy but not Tom. Thats too bad. Yes, there were some great folks working there. I liked working at LAX because there was ALWAYS somethin
98 jr: 16 and 17 also did the short lived JFK-CDG-MAA /MAA-CDG-JFK flights. I flew the CDG-MAA leg a few times. Too bad it did not last. There were at least
99 TOLtommy: DL never flew PDX-HKG. HKG always originated from LAX. Original routing was LAX-ANC-HKG, then went nonstop LAX-HKG once the Mighty Dogs came into the
100 mayor: Heard a rumor, once, that the pilots on this route had some "unofficial" alternates within Communist China that they were willing to use and just wal
101 DesertAir: In the mid 80s I flew on a Delta MD-11 from SFO to LAX. It was an early morning departure. Also a night flight from SFO to Atlanta in 1986 and then fr
102 TOLtommy: No you didn't. The MD-11 didn't enter the fleet until 1991. You may be thinking of the L1011. SFO-LAX on DL in 1986 is also highly unlikely since DL
103 MLD9S: Don't be so quick to tell someone they are wrong when you are also not 100% correct. You are correct one your first point. The MD-11 did not begin se
104 mayor: I don't believe that DL was allowed to carry revenue pax between SFO-LAX-SFO (unless it was thru traffic) and so most of those were tags on the end of
105 MLD9S: I have never heard of a domestic carrier not allowed to carry revenue passengers between two domestic points in the post-deregulation era. I know thi
106 Viscount724: Why not? That was several years after deregulation and there no restrictions on where US carriers could operate on domestic routes.
107 mayor: Well, that's what I remember at the time. Perhaps California put a restriction on it. I'm just going by what I can remember. Perhaps there was a restr
108 L1011Lover: I don't think California as a state was allowed to make such restrictions. Post de-regulation any US carrier was allowed to fly between any two point
109 Viscount724: Don't think there would have been any legal basis for that kind of restriction.
110 timz: Okay, how about pre-1978? TWA and Pan Am wouldn't have been able to carry domestic passengers on some/all domestic legs of their international flight
111 DeltaRules: Wasn't there an instance where a DL MD-11 had to divert to Wright-Patterson AFB (Dayton, OH) due to weather & a medical emergency, causing quite a
112 MLD9S: Actually, no....TWA never had any major restrictions on where they could fly passengers. TWA was just as much as domestic carrier as they were an int
113 TOLtommy: That's why I said it was "highly unlikely", instead of wrong. Okay, they operated it as a tag, not on the MD-11.
114 MLD9S: I wasn't referring to your comment that DesertAir didn't fly on an MD-11 in the mid-80s. I was referring to your comment that there was no intra-west
115 mayor: I don't think the DOT had any control over INTRASTATE travel. Just my recollection. I do know that we, as employees thought it was a non-rev special
116 N864DA: Flew N802DE ZRH-ATL in March 2002. They only flew the MD-11s there for a short time period; I remember they switched back to the 763 less than a year
117 DL1011: It was a jammed horizontal stab. I believe that weather at the original destination was an issue and with stab issues, they decided to go to Wright.
118 DL1011: I thought the MD-11 going into Wright AFB was due to a rag jamming the stab but I found this: THIS NTSB MONTHLY REPORT DATABASE ADDED THE FOLLOWING; S
119 mayor: Ok, here's a clarification of what I was alluding to about the DL service between LAX and SFO. I was sort of right....sort of wrong. This is from a fr
120 MLD9S: Based on the original topic at hand...no....you were simply wrong. The question being debated was whether a poster could have flown on a Delta intra-
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From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 917 posts, 
How many MD-11s did DL have and what kind of routes were they run on? Were they the standard European runs, aka: FRA, LGW, CDG, etc plus the daily ATL-NRT? Did they do any Hawaii routes, South Africa, S. America, Asia? Did they do a lot of domestic routes more than int'l, or was it vice-versa?
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