At one time, American had over 300 MD80's, but they're now down to about 250. Some of them were acquired in the TWA takeover. These airplanes were built in the Douglas plant in Long Beach, and despite the wire bundle inspection debacle of 2008, have been reliable members of the fleet.
New B737-800's are replacing the MD80's. Besides seating 20 additional passengers, the Boeings also burn about 25% less fuel. I've lately noticed B738's on the routes to San Francisco and San Jose del Cabo, both of which have traditionally been 'Mad Dog' destinations from LAX.Speaking of aircraft traditionally used on routes, I've also observed the next phase of the Delta - Northwest merger. First, the planes started getting repainted. Then, Northwest moved into the Delta terminal. Northwest cargo went away entirely. After that, the flight numbers changed (for example, Northwest 1 became Northwest 283); then the Northwest callsign went away (now it's Delta 283). Now, the latest development: Delta airplanes have started going to Northwest destinations, and vice versa. This just started a few days ago, maybe on the first of the month - I didn't think about that until later. I have several examples:
The first one I noticed was a B763 going to Minneapolis-St. Paul. The B767's were Delta airplanes, but MSP was a Northwest destination.
The Airbuses and B738's have traded routes as well; Delta had the Boeings, while Northwest went with Airbus. I've now seen B738's going to Detroit and Memphis, both NWA hubs; and A320's going to Cincinatti and Cancun, which were Delta routes.
Skywest is also flying more routes for Delta out of LAX; for instance we now have two Skywest planes going to San Diego: one for United, the other for Delta. The former Northwest flight to Las Vegas is also now covered by Skywest. This is a CRJ9.
Mutt and Jeff: a Skywest CRJ2 next to a Delta B763. The 'Skyteam' B752 started life at TWA, then went to American before ending up in Delta paint; I'll bet it's been repainted a half-dozen times!
Alright, where's the fan belt on this thing?
Besides American, Delta is the other big operator of MD80's, although Delta has the MD-88, while American uses MD-82's and MD-83's. Unlike American, however, Delta's MD80's aren't regularly seen at LAX. Also unlike American, Delta flies the follow-on MD90, which we do see at LAX, although less frequently as of late. This is the last one I took a photo of, some months ago, although I know I've seen one since then. Out of LAX, the MD90's are used almost exclusively on the Salt Lake City route, which is now often flown by Skywest CRJ's (which look kinda like mini Mad Dogs)
Continental has been using B737-800's (seen here) and B737-900's on the route to Honolulu for a few months now, in place of B752's, and has recently also added B738 service to Maui. While Continental is the first carrier to operate B737's from LAX to Hawaii, Aloha used to and Alaska still does fly 737's to Hawaii - just not from here. For a short time last summer, Continental was flying B738's from LAX to Havana, Cuba. Flight time was about four and a half hours (shorter than the five-plus hour flights to Hawaii). Wonder if they'll do it again?
Here's a Continental B737-900, about to depart off Runway 24 Left. The -900 is the biggest (so far) model in the 737 family. Alaska also operates B739's at LAX.
We still see Continental B752's (and B753's), although it's been quite some time since I've seen this one, wearing Star Alliance livery. For that matter, it's been quite some time since we've had enough rain to give the concrete a good wash down.
The first one I noticed was a B763 going to Minneapolis-St. Paul. The B767's were Delta airplanes, but MSP was a Northwest destination.
The Airbuses and B738's have traded routes as well; Delta had the Boeings, while Northwest went with Airbus. I've now seen B738's going to Detroit and Memphis, both NWA hubs; and A320's going to Cincinatti and Cancun, which were Delta routes.
Skywest is also flying more routes for Delta out of LAX; for instance we now have two Skywest planes going to San Diego: one for United, the other for Delta. The former Northwest flight to Las Vegas is also now covered by Skywest. This is a CRJ9.
Mutt and Jeff: a Skywest CRJ2 next to a Delta B763. The 'Skyteam' B752 started life at TWA, then went to American before ending up in Delta paint; I'll bet it's been repainted a half-dozen times!
Alright, where's the fan belt on this thing?Besides American, Delta is the other big operator of MD80's, although Delta has the MD-88, while American uses MD-82's and MD-83's. Unlike American, however, Delta's MD80's aren't regularly seen at LAX. Also unlike American, Delta flies the follow-on MD90, which we do see at LAX, although less frequently as of late. This is the last one I took a photo of, some months ago, although I know I've seen one since then. Out of LAX, the MD90's are used almost exclusively on the Salt Lake City route, which is now often flown by Skywest CRJ's (which look kinda like mini Mad Dogs)
Continental has been using B737-800's (seen here) and B737-900's on the route to Honolulu for a few months now, in place of B752's, and has recently also added B738 service to Maui. While Continental is the first carrier to operate B737's from LAX to Hawaii, Aloha used to and Alaska still does fly 737's to Hawaii - just not from here. For a short time last summer, Continental was flying B738's from LAX to Havana, Cuba. Flight time was about four and a half hours (shorter than the five-plus hour flights to Hawaii). Wonder if they'll do it again?
Here's a Continental B737-900, about to depart off Runway 24 Left. The -900 is the biggest (so far) model in the 737 family. Alaska also operates B739's at LAX.
We still see Continental B752's (and B753's), although it's been quite some time since I've seen this one, wearing Star Alliance livery. For that matter, it's been quite some time since we've had enough rain to give the concrete a good wash down.
Do ALL air traffic controllers keep track of exactly which planes go where?
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Back in the 80's and 90's, it was rare to be on a 737 for longer than 3 hrs. Funny how an airplane designed for short legs transformed to a 5+ hour airplane. I rode on CO EWR-SFO. Over 6 hours gate to gate. Too long on a 737-800 IMO! Another informative post Capt.
ReplyDeleteB
N:
ReplyDeleteNo, they don't, actually, and it's a regular source of amusement for my coworkers.
B:
The longest B737 flight I've seen out of LAX so far has been a Continental B737-900 to Honolulu: 6 hours, 20 minutes! Boeing is now marketing the B738's and B739's as replacements for B752's, some of which are now getting pretty long in the tooth.