Delta Postpones Final 747 Flight

While United Airlines went out of its way to make its final 747 flight a commemorative event, Delta appears to have taken the opposite approach. The Atlanta-based carrier just postponed its final scheduled service on the 747.

In a November 14, 2017 post entitled Seven things to know about Delta’s Big Goodbye to iconic 747, the carrier noted its last flight date would be December 17, 2017 on DL158 from Seoul (ICN) to Detroit (DTW).

Many passengers booked tickets in anticipation of this historic final event. But citing “operational need”, the carrier has opted to use its 747-400 for one more round-trip:

Delta’s Boeing 747 is being pressed into service for one more additional round trip between Detroit and Seoul-Incheon due to operational need.

The final 747 flights on Delta will now be:

December 17, 2017: Delta flight 159 departing Detroit at 12:31 p.m. and arriving Seoul-Incheon at 4:30 p.m. (Dec. 18)
December 19, 2017: Delta flight 158 departing Seoul-Incheon at 11:15 a.m. and arriving Detroit at 10:14 a.m.

There is no word yet whether passengers who booked the former “final flight” will receive a complimentary refund or date change upon request.

Upon checking delta.com, the 747-400 still does not show up as the aircraft operating the route on 12/19:

a screenshot of a flight schedule

I cannot help but to point out how odd it is that Delta would announce a final flight only to abandon it with only a few day’s notice. It also does not give me a lot of confidence concerning Delta’s new A350 (which will take over on the route).

Not Really the Last Flight

After United’s final 747 flight from SFO-HNL, which re-cereated its first flight on the 747, the plane was ferried to the Arizona desert.

While the last commercial service is scheduled for 12/19, Delta will likely continue to use the 747 for charter purposes for weeks to come. That makes the final scheduled flight a bit less dramatic.

CONCLUSION

Although just a couple days, the news must come as a blow for Delta enthusiasts who had carefully planned for final flight on 12/17. I hope Delta will make it right with them.