First Delta 737s Leased In December 1982, the airlines were feeling the effects of the U.S. economic recession and intense competition after airline deregulation in 1978. Delta wanted to resize its fleet to add cost-efficient and smaller planes to compete more effectively in domestic markets. Delta reached an agreement with Boeing to trade 11 older Lockheed L-1011 Tristars in exchange for 33 Boeing 737-232s over a two year period. Boeing would purchase the TriStars and lease the 737s to Delta. The airplane agreement was believed to be the largest industry deal of its kind up to that time. Model 232 This versatile short-range, twin-jet allowed Delta to compete more efficiently with regional carriers and expand short and medium-haul service in and out of its major hubs, such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Boston, Cincinnati and Atlanta. Delta also had the ability to overfly hubs and provide direct, nonstop service in smaller markets. The 737-232 could carry one-third more payload and fly more than twice the range of Boeing's original 737-100, which entered service in early 1968 with Lufthansa. It was six feet longer than the earlier model with a number of design improvements:
The 1,000th 737 produced by Boeing was delivered to Delta on December 9, 1983. It carried Delta fleet number Ship 306. Interior
Cabin space was expanded with flattened ceilings and enclosed overhead stowage bins that allowed for more headroom. The bins were increased in size and strength to hold 180-pound loads, with stowage space of 1.7 cubic feet per passenger. Galleys and lavatories were located at each end of the cabin, outside the flow of traffic. Lighting that washed ceiling and sidewall panels also enhanced the feeling of spaciousness. Panels were made of advanced composite materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio. They were light, easy to clean and to remove for maintenance of lighting fixtures, passenger service units and other equipment. Model 347 from Western Airlines Western Airlines officially merged with Delta on April 1, 1986, and brought 46 Boeing 737s to Delta: 33 of Model 232 and 13 of Model 347. Western, along with Lufthansa, was particularly influential in Boeing's design of the 737 as an airport-versatile plane. To learn more, see Western's "737 Special" issue of the company's magazine in 1968. Model 800
Delta introduced the Boeing 737-800 on its daily nonstop flight between Atlanta and Guatemala on April 4, 1999. Delta also announced that the -800s would eventually be used on all flights between the U.S. and Central America, as well as its daily, nonstop flight from Atlanta to Caracas, Venezuela. "We ordered the new Boeing 737-800 with Central America routes in mind…The use of a brand-new aircraft in Latin America underlines Delta's strong commitment to success in the market. The Boeing 737-800 is the perfect aircraft for shorter international flights, such as Delta's flight from Atlanta to Guatemala City." Delta Managing Director-Latin America Rudi Forster In 2003, the 737-800s completely replaced Delta's Boeing 727 jets. In 2006, Delta operating under bankruptcy protection, announced plans to reduce domestic flights and increase international flights. With these schedule changes, Delta announced plans to sell 38 of its 737-800 that were on order from Boeing and acquire other Boeing aircraft, including the smaller 737-700. Model 700
Delta's 737-700 had a cabin configured with 124 seats, smaller than its 150-seat Boeing 737-800s, to serve smaller and developing markets. Boeing 737-700s replaced older MD-80s in the Delta fleet. "The 737-700 is a better fit for the current needs of our network, providing flexibility in our fleet to fly longer, thinner domestic routes while at the same time supporting our international expansion to Latin America and the Caribbean," Delta Managing Director of Fleet Planning and Acquisition Mel Fauscett. Model 700 started flying with Delta in August 2008, over mostly domestic routes. On December 18, it inaugurated a new Delta route between Atlanta and the Honduras capital of Tegucigalpa. The 737-700 allowed Delta to add service to unique airports, such as Toncontin International Airport at Tegucigalpa, with short runways, extreme temperatures and high altitudes. Video & Pics
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Delta's 737-232s were the first with a new 737 interior from Boeing. It was the "advanced-technology interior design," introduced on the 757. The interior gave passengers both improved headroom and larger bag bins. New light-weight materials cut maintenance costs and reduced the weight of the airplane by over 600 pounds.
In 1999, Delta acquired new 737-800s. The 800 model held 154 passengers in a two-class configuration: business and coach class. Powered by two CFM56-7B engines and equipped with a new wing design, it had higher cruising speed than any earlier Boeing 737 model. Cabin improvements included newly designed business-class seats with footrests and larger overhead compartments for carry-on baggage.
In 2008 (starting in August), Delta received ten Boeing 737-700s. They were fitted with carbon brakes, which weighed 700 pounds less than steel brakes. According to Boeing, "Delta coupled the lighter-weight carbon brakes with drag- and emissions-reducing Blended Winglets (wing tip extensions) to improve operating and fuel efficiency simultaneously on its Next-Generation 737s."