747 – “Queen of the Skies”
Anyone who follows us knows that we are big fans of all things Delta. They have been a big part of our travel journeys for many years now. A couple weeks ago we had an opportunity to take part in a Delta Road Warrior experience at the Delta Air Lines Training Center in Atlanta, GA. We can’t wait to share all about that amazing experience next week. But first, we want to take you on a tour thru probably my favorite plane of all time, the Delta 747-400.
Keep Climbing
747 History
Although the flight museum was closed for renovations while we were there, we were fortunate enough to take a tour of the first 747-400 ever built. Ship 6301 was delivered to Northwest Airlines on December 8, 1989.
Having only flown the 747 one time when traveling to Australia back in 1996, I can’t help but wonder if this was the plane that took me to the land down under.
It joined the Delta fleet when Northwest merged with Delta in 2008. Ship 6301 flew its final flight on September 9, 2015: Flight 836, from Honolulu to Atlanta. After logging more than 61 million miles it was retired from the fleet and moved to the Delta Flight Museum on April 30,2016.
After almost a year of work, the 747-400 was opened as an exhibition on March 28, 2017. The plane is opened on days the Museum is open between 11 am and 3 pm and admission is included in the cost of the Museum ticket. Since the Museum was closed we were able to tour this four engine jumbo jet for only $6.89.
Before heading into the plane we were able to walk around it and get some great pictures. If you think these things look big from a distance, you should see it yourself close.
What a Beauty!
No Boarding Pass Needed
After the one story elevator ride up to the lobby we had our tickets quickly checked and passed thru security before entering this beautiful “Queen of the Skies”! Once inside we were able to explore the main deck and sit in the aircraft seats. It was hard to tell the difference between these seats and some of the more recent Delta Jets we have been on.
Delta One – How Bougie!
After ascending the stairway to the upper deck, we got a look at the Delta One Suites as we worked our way forward to the cockpit. Having had the pleasure of flying some long haul flights in Delta One, we can attest to how comfortable it is to travel this way.
Stepping in to the cockpit, we were amazed at the number of buttons, dials, and screens that the pilots use to get us safely from one place to another.
In addition to the pilot and copilot seat, there was also a chair for a third crew member to sit in. Jill quickly made herself at home here.
Directly behind the cockpit was the forward crew rest area. There were two bunks that the three or four pilots on intercontinental flights would share.
The Swinging Lounges
They had a few picture hanging that showed some of the glamorous lounges that used to occupy some of the 747 upper decks. I so wish I would have had the opportunity to experience this.
As we headed toward the back of the plane we were able to step out and walk on the wing. I’m not sure if I said this before but this thing is much bigger than it looks.
History Lesson
Once we stepped back into the plane we continued on reading about the design and development of the 747 and history specific to Ship 6301 as well as the 747’s role in Delta’s History.
Gift Shop and Final Stop
After stopping to drop a few bucks at the pop up shop (I may have bought a new Delta umbrella and some new socks), we made our way to the rear of the plane to climb the stairs and explore the larger crew rest area in the “attic” of the main deck. I was a little disappointed it was closed off with plexiglass but I did manage to snap one picture to try and capture what it looked like.
Although Delta no longer flies the 747, four airlines still do: Lufthansa, Korean Airlines, Air China and Russian Rossiya Airlines. Not sure if I’ll have a chance to fly the “Queen of the Skies” again but I’m thankful to Delta for allowing me to take this stroll down memory lane.
We hope you enjoyed our little tour of the Delta 747 Experience. Join us next week as we take you to the Delta Training Center and share our Delta Road Warrior Experience with you. Also, we have lots of exciting adventures in store for 2025. If you haven’t already please subscribe today for free!!
