I'm curious if anyone is in the know of any kind of schedule of the retirement of DL's remaining DC-9's. I was trying to dig up a thread on here where some sort of drawdown schedule was mentioned (example: 4 DC-9's leaving the fleet in 6/2012, 7 in 7/2012, etc.). I do know a few of these aircraft have already left service, with several lines of DC-9 flying (mainly from DTW & MSP) going away recently.
If I remember correctly seems that all will be gone sometime around the fall of 2012, with most of the remaining aircraft leaving the fleet in the coming spring & summer months (and perhaps a few leaving this winter)?
I'm likely going to fly DL early next month simply to fly on several "diesel niners," with a personal goal of 1 DC-9 trip per month up to when they're basically all gone (non-rev benefits are a good thing!).
I believe DL now has about 25-30 of these aircraft remaining, out of the 34.
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
I can't enlighten you on the retirement schedule, but I recently went out of my way to fly on one as part of a BWI-MEM-MSP-SJC routing, the MEM-MSP segment being on DC-9-50 N786NC. I must say, it was a great experience, and I had forgotten how nice a real METAL aircraft feels.
Overall it was a great ride, as they had been retrofitted with large overhead bins, and I must say the front galley area was big. Obviously this was a holdout from the days of meals served throughout the cabin. I upgraded and could not resist a Jack Daniels on the rocks before takeoff from MEM, just to get into the Tennessee mood. With MEM being such an integral part of DL DC-9s ops since 1965/66, it was well worth going out of my way to do it right. (All the while I wanted a time machine so I could conjure up some Braniff pastel 111s screaming down the runway, but you can't have everything).
I hope I put you in the mood for some good DC-9 hunting.
Overall it was a great ride, as they had been retrofitted with large overhead bins, and I must say the front galley area was big. Obviously this was a holdout from the days of meals served throughout the cabin. I upgraded and could not resist a Jack Daniels on the rocks before takeoff from MEM, just to get into the Tennessee mood. With MEM being such an integral part of DL DC-9s ops since 1965/66, it was well worth going out of my way to do it right. (All the while I wanted a time machine so I could conjure up some Braniff pastel 111s screaming down the runway, but you can't have everything).
I hope I put you in the mood for some good DC-9 hunting.
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- PSU.DTW.SCE
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
10 leaving the fleet in 2011
24 leaving in 2012.
They are leaving at a rate of about 1 a month, as they time out for heavy maintenance. This will increase to about 2 per month in 2012. No final end date officially anounced yet. Likely to phase-out in Q4 to 2012.
24 leaving in 2012.
They are leaving at a rate of about 1 a month, as they time out for heavy maintenance. This will increase to about 2 per month in 2012. No final end date officially anounced yet. Likely to phase-out in Q4 to 2012.
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- United_fan
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting PSU.DTW.SCE (Reply 2): They are leaving at a rate of about 1 a month, as they time out for heavy maintenance |
Which leads me believe they will be scrapped.
"Suspicion is a matter of opinion"
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting DTW.SCE" class="quote" target="_blank">PSU.DTW.SCE (Reply 2): |
Thanks, exactly the info I was looking for. About what I was expecting.
| Quoting United_fan (Reply 3): Which leads me believe they will be scrapped. |
This has been the fate of the retired -30's & -40's and I assume will be the same for the -50's. Some of the -50's are "newer" DC-9's (late '70's vintage, maybe 1980 for a few compared to many of the -30's & -40's being from the late '60's) but their time has likely come. The oldest of the remaining DC-9's are from 1975.
| Quoting CF-CPI (Reply 1): I can't enlighten you on the retirement schedule, but I recently went out of my way to fly on one as part of a BWI-MEM-MSP-SJC routing, the MEM-MSP segment being on DC-9-50 N786NC. I must say, it was a great experience, and I had forgotten how nice a real METAL aircraft feels. |
I flew SDF-DTW-EWR & back to fly on both a -30 & a -40, although it wasn't out of the way (plus it was a legit trip to see family)...but still, flying on those soon-to-be-retired "diesel nines" was the highlight.
| Quoting CF-CPI (Reply 1): I hope I put you in the mood for some good DC-9 hunting. |
Indeed you did. Hopefully I'll be flying on a few in about a month, with some good video footage of the JT8D's to add to it.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
I'm flying one of the old birds tomorrow (BNA->ATL). The DC-9 is still flown a lot out of Nashville although we've been seeing more A319s of late. Delta stopped flying larger jets like the 757 completely out of our city.
And the youngest I've seen of the DC-9-50s from the plate inside the door is 1980.
And the youngest I've seen of the DC-9-50s from the plate inside the door is 1980.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
The DC-9-50s don't appear to be headed for the shredder just yet. So far, all of them have been sent to MZJ. The DC-9-30s and -40s that were to be scrapped were sent directly to SFB. I know there were quite a few -30s already at MZJ before the final group was retired, but I'm not sure if any of those have been scrapped on site or if they're still just sitting in storage. Many of them are still actively registered to Delta (unlike the scrapped ones which had their regs cancelled), so I would guess they are still intact.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
N787NC Delta Air Lines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 - cn 48149 / ln 990
Date of Manufactur 02-12-1980
Age 30.9 Years
Did a quick search and I believe this is the newest in Delta service
Out of interest I also found what I think is the oldest 9 in service
N191US USA Jet Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 - cn 45718 / ln 17
Airframe Details
Construction Number (MSN) 45718
Line Number 17
Aircraft Type McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15
First Flight 09-12-1965
Age 45.9 Years
Date of Manufactur 02-12-1980
Age 30.9 Years
Did a quick search and I believe this is the newest in Delta service
Out of interest I also found what I think is the oldest 9 in service
N191US USA Jet Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 - cn 45718 / ln 17
Airframe Details
Construction Number (MSN) 45718
Line Number 17
Aircraft Type McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15
First Flight 09-12-1965
Age 45.9 Years
 Photo © Chris Starnes |  Photo © Bill Armstrong |
Where's the passion gone out of the airline industry? The smell of jetfuel and the romance of taking a flight....
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
DL flies them into MLB 4-5x daily.
KH
KH
Never be afraid to stand up for who you are.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting timf (Reply 6): The DC-9-50s don't appear to be headed for the shredder just yet. So far, all of them have been sent to MZJ. The DC-9-30s and -40s that were to be scrapped were sent directly to SFB. I know there were quite a few -30s already at MZJ before the final group was retired, but I'm not sure if any of those have been scrapped on site or if they're still just sitting in storage. Many of them are still actively registered to Delta (unlike the scrapped ones which had their regs cancelled), so I would guess they are still intact. |
That's interesting, thanks for the info. I too have noticed an occasional DC95 ferry flight out of MSP to MZJ on Flightaware now that I think about it.
| Quoting jetfuel (Reply 7): N787NC Delta Air Lines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 - cn 48149 / ln 990 Date of Manufactur 02-12-1980 Age 30.9 Years Did a quick search and I believe this is the newest in Delta service |
Yes I do know that's the newest of these aircraft (and newest DC-9 that was in the former NW fleet). The N7**NC aircraft were originally from North Central, with the N78*NC airplanes being 1979-1980 builds.
| Quoting MCOflyer (Reply 8): DL flies them into MLB 4-5x daily. |
I assume these regional flights out of ATL such as MLB, PNS, CHS, SAV, etc. will be among the last to see DC-9 service before they're gone for good. That's where they're the most common these days, with MSP & DTW probably getting no more than 10-15 daily now and MEM getting maybe 8-10 (compared to around 50 for ATL). My station SDF typically gets 2 daily (although we got 4 this past Friday), but looks like we might lose them in January & February before they return for the spring schedule.
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- beefstew25
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
Was just going through my records from my September trip to ATL/MSP/ORD. I managed to get all that were in service at the time except N762NC/N773NC/N783NC.
Since I photographed them 9-11 September N766NC/N781NC/N761NC have been retired to Marana, however both DC9s that I flew N676NC/N770NC are still operational. I hope this shows the rate at which they are going quite well..
Since I photographed them 9-11 September N766NC/N781NC/N761NC have been retired to Marana, however both DC9s that I flew N676NC/N770NC are still operational. I hope this shows the rate at which they are going quite well..
Flown to 147 Airports in 62 Countries on 83 Operators and counting. Wanderlust is like Syphilis, once you have the itch it's too late for treatment.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting beefstew25 (Reply 10): Man are they loud. |
Poor boy. You obviously never heard the 707 / DC8 / 727 etc from the 1970's. Those were the days
Where's the passion gone out of the airline industry? The smell of jetfuel and the romance of taking a flight....
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
Whatever the final date of withdrawal the DC9 has been an amazing airframe, to think there are 30-35 year old frames still flying regular US airline service is a testimony to the original design. I doubt we'll be tracking a 35 year old DL 737/320 in the years ahead!
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting beefstew25 (Reply 10): Man are they loud. |
Not where I sit. Very quiet.
These planes are remarkable. I get them out of MKE all the time and will really miss their passing.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
They are a great ride. I flew one on EWR-ATL in July of this year and man, what a fine piece of machinery.
"KEEP CLIMBING" -- DELTA
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- mke717spotter
- Posts: 2168
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting TVNWZ (Reply 16): These planes are remarkable. I get them out of MKE all the time and will really miss their passing. |
Yep, I've been doin quite a bit of DC-9 flyin the past few years in anticipation of their eventual retirement. Hopefully I'll still be able to get on a few more this summer, but even at MKE they're not as common anymore as they used to be.
Will you watch the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions on Sunday? Only if coach Eric Mangini resigned after a loss.
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- PSU.DTW.SCE
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
25 aircraft active:
N762NC
N764NC
N765NC may be out of service?
N766NC
N767NC
N769NC
N770NC
N773NC
N774NC
N775NC
N777NC
N778NC
N779NC
N780NC
N782NC
N783NC
N784NC
N786NC
N787NC
N675MC
N676MC
N670MC
N671MC
N677MC
N401EA
N600TR
9 removed from service:
N760NC last revenue flight 7/8/11 DL 959 MCI-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 7/9/11
N761NC last revenue flight 10/7/11 DL 1732 ORD-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 10/8/11
N768NC last revenue flight 6/1/11 DL 1069 DTW-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 6/2/11
N770NC last revenue flight 11/1/11 DL 1476 DTW-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on xxx
N771NC last revenue flight 6/14/11 DL 2107 ORD-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 6/15/11
N772NC last revenue flight 8/29/11 DL 798 MEM-MSP, ferried MSP-MZH on 8/30/11
N776NC last revenue flight 8/19/11 DL 798 MEM-MSP, ferreid MSP-MZJ on 8/20/11
N781NC last revenue flight 9/30/11 DL 1142 GRR-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 10/1/11
N785NC last revenue flight 7/21/11 DL 1732 ORD-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 7/23/11
1 written-off:
N763NC hydraulic failure and ground collision with NW A319 N368NB in MSP 5/05, now used as ARFF trainer
N762NC
N764NC
N765NC may be out of service?
N766NC
N767NC
N769NC
N770NC
N773NC
N774NC
N775NC
N777NC
N778NC
N779NC
N780NC
N782NC
N783NC
N784NC
N786NC
N787NC
N675MC
N676MC
N670MC
N671MC
N677MC
N401EA
N600TR
9 removed from service:
N760NC last revenue flight 7/8/11 DL 959 MCI-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 7/9/11
N761NC last revenue flight 10/7/11 DL 1732 ORD-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 10/8/11
N768NC last revenue flight 6/1/11 DL 1069 DTW-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 6/2/11
N770NC last revenue flight 11/1/11 DL 1476 DTW-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on xxx
N771NC last revenue flight 6/14/11 DL 2107 ORD-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 6/15/11
N772NC last revenue flight 8/29/11 DL 798 MEM-MSP, ferried MSP-MZH on 8/30/11
N776NC last revenue flight 8/19/11 DL 798 MEM-MSP, ferreid MSP-MZJ on 8/20/11
N781NC last revenue flight 9/30/11 DL 1142 GRR-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 10/1/11
N785NC last revenue flight 7/21/11 DL 1732 ORD-MSP, ferried MSP-MZJ on 7/23/11
1 written-off:
N763NC hydraulic failure and ground collision with NW A319 N368NB in MSP 5/05, now used as ARFF trainer
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting PSU.DTW.SCE (Reply 19): |
Thanks very much for this list! Looks like a pretty consistent retirement rate of 1-2 monthly. If this rate keeps up it looks like they'll all be gone by next November or December.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
Last DC-9 flight I took was a DC-9-41 (N759NW) from MEM to DFW back on 6/13/2008. I sure loved that plane. I see it is scrapped now. Shame to see that happen to all of the DC's.
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- September11
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting PSU.DTW.SCE (Reply 19): N401EA |
Wow, that former Eastern Airlines bird... I think that's first DC-9-51 for EA.
Photo © Chris E. Novak
Airliners.net of the Future
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
I LOVE working on these birds. I'm going to miss them. LOVE the galley...
My comments/opinions are my own and are not to be construed as the opinion(s) of my employer.
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
N401EA had an inflight engine fire on me back in January...She will always hold a special place in my heart....I heard the circuit breakers popping in the flight deck...either automatic or manual shedding. No pressure and limited electrics....
I too will miss working these puppies.
I too will miss working these puppies.
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- United_fan
- Posts: 6691
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
I'm hoping DL will sub one up here to ROC one more time. I was thankful to get a picture of one last September .
"Suspicion is a matter of opinion"
RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting catiii (Reply 27): How much different could it have been from an MD-88? |
I kinda know what they mean. They look and feel more solid from being built in a time when it things were built to last out of quality materials - from memory the wall linings had like a woven carpet lining you could see through the edges of the window shades that I didn't spot on my MD88 sector.. plus the 2-3 config vs 3-2 does change the look onboard a little. I was impressed at how good the DC9s looked onboard for their age. Newer looking than the 763,MD88 that I also flew on.
Yes it could be rose tinted glasses, but still.
Flown to 147 Airports in 62 Countries on 83 Operators and counting. Wanderlust is like Syphilis, once you have the itch it's too late for treatment.
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- PSU.DTW.SCE
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 28): I was impressed at how good the DC9s looked onboard for their age. Newer looking than the 763,MD88 that I also flew on. |
NW put all-new interiors - overhead bins, sidewalls, seats, lavs, galleys on the DC-9 when they overhauled them in the 1995-2000 timeperiod as a part of the DC-9-2000 program. Hence the appearance of a newer interior than what is found on some of the MD88 & 763 fleet.
DL put in new carpet, leather seat covers, and installed wifi when they integrated them into the DL fleet in 2009.
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- 1337Delta764
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting PSU.DTW.SCE (Reply 29): DL put in new carpet, leather seat covers, and installed wifi when they integrated them into the DL fleet in 2009. |
In addition, on the MD-88 fleet, DL installed modernized extended overhead bins in the early 2000s, however, unlike the NW DC-9 mods, the MD-88 mods were just a modification to the existing bin structure, rather than a complete replacement.
Also, DL has replaced the factory black PSUs on their MD-88s with white/gray PSUs with adjustable LED reading lights and softer fluorescent No Smoking/Fasten Seat Belt signs. These PSUs were designed to fit in the existing cutouts that the old black PSUs used. Also, the text-based lavatory signs were replaced by new symbolic signs that show a red X when occupied.
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- twal1011727
- Posts: 449
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting MCOflyer (Reply 8): DL flies them into MLB 4-5x daily. |
| Quoting 727LOVER (Reply 26): Quoting MCOflyer (Reply 8): I think you are mistaken, because I only see MD-80s into MLB. |
Delta used to fly the DC9 into MLB for the summer but changed to the MD88s on 6NOV11
Looking to the future......17Dec - Delta flies the B757 into MLB until 03JAN but only on the 7am flight.
On 04JAN Delta goes back to DC9s occasionally mixed with CRJ70 and MD88s
KD
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- HermansCVR580
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
Hey Delta how about when the last one retires paint one side in North Central's colors offer a photo op and fly it off into the sunset give the DC-9 the true retirement it deserves. PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON TOP 
Heck you could use water colors like some of the military jets use for special paint jobs, it has to be cheap and it will wash off. It would also be neat if they made a video like NWA did when they retired the Convair 580 called Top Duck.
Heck you could use water colors like some of the military jets use for special paint jobs, it has to be cheap and it will wash off. It would also be neat if they made a video like NWA did when they retired the Convair 580 called Top Duck.The right decision at the wrong time, is still a wrong decision. "Hal Carr"
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- Viscount724
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RE: Final Drawdown Of Delta's DC-9-50's
| Quoting PSU.DTW.SCE (Reply 29): Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 28): I was impressed at how good the DC9s looked onboard for their age. Newer looking than the 763,MD88 that I also flew on. NW put all-new interiors - overhead bins, sidewalls, seats, lavs, galleys on the DC-9 when they overhauled them in the 1995-2000 timeperiod as a part of the DC-9-2000 program. Hence the appearance of a newer interior than what is found on some of the MD88 & 763 fleet. |
They also installed a lavatory in the F class cabin which many of the DC-9s inherited by NW from their multiple original owners did not have, especially those operated by US regional carriers with one-class service. I remember a NW trip involving 2 DC-9-30s in the early '90s and being surprised that the F class passengers had to push their way the length of the cabin and compete with all the Y passengers for the 2 lavatories at the rear.
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