Having made plans to spend an extra day in Atlanta after touring the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, I was anxious to see all I could at the Delta Flight Museum. Here, visitors can explore rare aviation artifacts and airplanes, enjoy interactive exhibits, and even pilot a real flight simulator! The complex didn’t open until 10:00 AM, so I had ample time on that Thursday morning to enjoy a good breakfast in The Café at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. There were no difficulties with my Uber ride that day as I didn’t make the request untilI I had walked up to the nearby Hard Rock Cafe. It only took about fifteen minutes for us to arrive at the museum which is located at the Atlanta headquarters of Delta Air Lines, just minutes away from the world’s busiest airport. The adult entrance fee was a very reasonable $15.00 and discounts are available for seniors and those aged 5 to 17. (Children up to 4 years of age are admitted free of charge.)
Delta’s history began with the world's first aerial crop dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters Inc., founded on March 2, 1925 in Macon, Georgia to combat the boll weevil infestation of cotton crops. The company moved to Monroe, Louisiana a few months later. Huff Daland Dusters was the first commercial agricultural flying company, and Huff Daland's eighteen planes became the largest privately owned fleet in the world. In 1928, C.E. Woolman, the principal founder of what would become Delta Air Lines, led a movement to buy Huff Daland Dusters. Renamed Delta Air Service for the Mississippi Delta region it served, the new airline was incorporated on Dec. 3, 1928. Delta operated its first passenger flight from Dallas, TX, to Jackson, MS, with stops in Shreveport and Monroe, LA. Service soon expanded to Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, AL and Meridian, MS. The first museum exhibits detailed Delta’s early years and the propellor-driven aircraft they flew.
The only Delta passenger Douglas DC-3 in existence is on display in Hanger One. What a majestic airplane! It was carefully restored by team of volunteers and Delta employees in the mid to late 1990s and the museum claims that no other DC-3 in the world has been restored with such attention to detail.The introduction of the DC-3 in 1936 revolutionized commercial aviation. The plane was very sturdy, dependable and stable in flight so that air travel became more comfortable and commonplace. The capacity, speed and economical operation of the DC-3 made passenger service profitable for the airlines, without their relying on mail subsidies. The aircraft boasted day and sleeper models, enhancing passenger comfort on cross-country trips. Its cabin was soundproofed, had upholstered seats, padded armrests and a food galley built especially for meal service. In the tradition of Southern hospitality, Delta “stewardesses” served fried chicken, ham and yams in flight!
Once I had finished touring Hager One, it was time for my lunch. A very kind employee named Mae Smith suggested I try Hammer’s Beach Bar and next offered to escort me in a shortcut through the maze of Delta Headquarters buildings. Mae was a retired twenty-nine year veteran Delta marketing employee who is now on staff at the museum. I was very grateful for her kindness which saved me some time. When I arrived at Hammer’s, the sign on the entrance door read “Smoking Permitted” which I found very hard to believe in this day and age. Sure enough, there were several bar flies puffing away so I requested a seat as far away as possible. The waitress was very accommodating and, I soon discovered, she was also a fourteen-year Delta flight attendant and only helps out at the restaurant when needed. I was hungry for a turkey sandwich on rye but was told, “We’re not a fancy place. We only have white bread.” So, I went with a Philly cheesesteak but couldn’t help wondering if she was this direct with her passengers after donning her uniform! Lunch was good and I walked the half mile back to the museum in anticipation of what awaited me next in Hangar Two.
Dominating this hanger was a Boeing B767 aircraft named “The Spirit of Delta and a number of displays are cleverly located around the jetliner housed in a series of baggage carts. Now, for a bit of history about this bird. In the spring of 1982, the airline industry was troubled by a weak economy, high fuel prices and still adjusting to the effects of deregulation. After 35 consecutively profitable years, Delta posted a net loss. As a way of expressing their appreciation during what was a trying time, Delta employees raised money to pay for the airline’s first Boeing B767. Led by three flight attendants, the project was an inspiring effort to raise $30 million through the combined donations of employees, retirees and friends.
They did it and on December 15, 1982, over 7,000 persons gathered at Delta’s Technical Operations Center, as the airline was presented with Ship 102, its first B767, christened “The Spirit of Delta.” Directly after the dedication ceremony, Spirit departed Atlanta on its inaugural service flight to Tampa, Florida. The aircraft flew as an ambassador of Delta pride and culture for over 23 years. It was retired on February 12, 2006, after flying 70,697 hours and 34,389 trip cycles, a record in which the company takes great pride. I was able to walk inside this historic aircraft and saw that the first half of the plane had been left as it was, with Business and Coach seating intact, along with service galleys while the back half had been turned into an exhibit area highlighting the aircraft's unique story and Delta's jet history.
The most exciting part of my visit was seeing the very first Boeing B747-400 ever built on display outside the two hangers. It was delivered to Northwest Airlines in December of 1989 and joined Delta’s fleet when the two carriers merged in 2008. As background, the Boeing B747 is known as the “Queen of the Skies” and is surely one of the most popular and recognizable aircraft in the world today. When it made its first commercial flight 45 years ago, critics thought it would soon become obsolete as designers believed that supersonic aircraft would be taking over the skies. However, the four-engine jumbo jet revolutionized the industry with its exceptional long-haul flight capability and sheer size. At nearly three times bigger than the largest jet of its day, the jetliner was capable of carrying hundreds of passengers at one time.
The improved 747-400, which is on display at the museum, featured a new glass cockpit, tail fuel tanks, advanced engines and a new interior. The 747-400 model is called a “high-tech” jumbo to distinguish its advanced features from its predecessors, the “classic jumbo” of the -100 to -300 series. After logging more than 61 million miles, this one flew its final flight on September 9, 2015 operating as Flight #836, from Honolulu to Atlanta. It moved to the Delta Flight Museum on April 30, 2016. After almost a year of work, this famous 747-400 opened as an exhibition on March 28 of the following year. It’s so impressive to walk around this airplane and realize just how huge it really is. Once inside, I was able to sit in aircraft seats, check out the upper deck, walk out on a wing, examine what went on behind the walls of these large aircraft, and learn all about the history of the 747 and its role in Delta's history. It was a real treat for me to have an opportunity to get up close and personal with my favorite aircraft of all time!
A visit to the Delta Flight Museum should be on any AvGeek’s bucket list. It was worth spending the extra day in Atlanta to learn more about one of the world’s most storied airlines. I made my way back to Raleigh the next morning, breezing through security at the Atlanta Airport, thanks to my brand new CLEAR membership, which I would heartily recommend to anyone who travels on a frequent basis.
Until next time…safe travels.
"...we ain't a fancy place, we only have white bread !"... Love that comment!
Sounds like you truly enjoyed your visit!!