Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Delta takes delivery of first Boeing 777-200LR

Delta B777-200LRDelta Air Lines recently took delivery of a Boeing 777-200LR (longer range) aircraft -- the first of its type delivered to a U.S.-based carrier. The official delivery ceremony took place at Boeing Field on February 29, 2008, with 150 Delta employees in attendance.

According to a Boeing news release, this is the first of eight aircraft of this type ordered by Delta.
In tribute to employees and to the original "Spirit of Delta" - a Boeing 767-200 given to the airline in 1982 by employees, retirees and friends - the new Boeing 777-200LR, Ship 7101, will be called "The Delta Spirit" in gratitude to the many accomplishments of Delta's employees worldwide. The aircraft will be officially dedicated to Delta employees in a celebration March 6 in Atlanta.
A Delta Airlines news release about the new aircraft designates the new Boeing 777-200LR as "the flagship aircraft for Delta’s new global product, including fully horizontal personal sleeper suites in BusinessElite®, next-generation, more comfortable seats in coach, and Delta’s on-demand entertainment system on larger screens at every seat."

It was announced that the aircraft is scheduled to enter scheduled service March 8 flying between Atlanta and Los Angeles, and will fly on March 9 from Atlanta to Tokyo.

[Photo Source]