Quantcast

Delta Air Lines was the largest operator of the Lockheed TriStar L-1011

VAS Aero Services to Acquire an Additional 17 Airbus A320 Airframes, Bringing to 23 the Total Number of A320s Slated for Teardown and Harvested Parts Redistribution
United Airlines says flight attendant in Terrell Davis incident is no longer employed and NFL legend’s ‘no fly’ ban is lifted | CNN
Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18 After Takeoff - Airline Ratings
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of open seating | CNN Business
CrowdStrike Outage Caused 10% Spike in Air Charter
Aircraft Engine Maintenance and Repair to Peak in 2026, Worsening Capacity Shortage for Commercial Aviation, Says Bain & Company
Joby’s Electric Air Taxi Makes European Debut
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announces NLRB-scheduled vote to remove union officials
Families recount the horror of MH17 ten years on - Airline Ratings
777-9 Enters Certification Flight Testing - AVweb
Kompass Kapital Sets New Course with Airshare Investment
SATS, SIA Engineering Company and Changi Airport Group to Trial Autonomous Buses at Changi Airport
Qatar Airways Landing An A350 In Hamburg Makes A Powerful Statement - Airline Ratings
EBAA Backs Dassault's Sustainability Lawsuit against European Commission | AIN
American Airlines Now Lets You Earn And Spend Miles On Concerts And Events
Boeing agrees to plead guilty to defrauding the FAA but escapes punishment sought by victims’ families | CNN Business
IATA partners with Aviation Sustainability Forum to tackle cabin waste
Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings
Boeing Will Buy Spirit AeroSystems For $4.7 Billion In Stock & Airbus Enters $559 Million Agreement For Its Parts
Bombardier Global Jet Production Stops in Toronto as Union Workers Strike | AIN
Justice Department To Offer Boeing a Plea Deal Related to Max Crashes
Plane diverted to Brazil after turbulence injures 30
As air taxi services make progress in U.S., no timeline set for liftoff over L.A. traffic
Delta Air Lines was the largest operator of the Lockheed TriStar L-1011
Policy
Webp received 1133005955262244
Delta Air Lines | Official Website

Delta Air Lines was the largest operator of the Lockheed TriStar L-1011, a visually distinct aircraft distinguished by its third engine integrated into the fuselage. The L-1011 marked Delta's development and transformation, particularly on transatlantic routes.

The history of this aircraft began in the 1960s as airlines sought new long-range models. Lockheed developed the TriStar L-1011, a widebody aircraft, entering service in 1972, overcoming engine-related setbacks. Eastern Air Lines debuted the L-1011, and Delta acquired many of their planes following Eastern's dissolution in 1991.

Delta initially launched L-1011 services on December 15, 1973, from Atlanta to Philadelphia, gradually increasing its flights. The aircraft's long-range capabilities facilitated Delta's transatlantic reach, starting with flights to London Gatwick in 1978. In 1979, Delta became the first U.S. carrier to operate the L-1011-500 version, extending services to Hawaii and new European destinations.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The L-1011 also played a role in Delta's transpacific operations. In the late 1980s, services were launched to Seoul, Taipei, and Bangkok. The current Delta hub for transpacific routes is in Los Angeles, with contemporary destinations including Sydney, Auckland, and Tokyo.

The L-1011's configuration on Delta ranged from high-capacity domestic arrangements to transatlantic layouts accommodating 241 passengers in three classes. Its onboard comfort was highlighted in promotional materials, emphasizing quietness and spacious interiors.

Delta retired its last L-1011 on July 31, 2001, concluding an era of extensive use of the aircraft, which it had deployed as recently as 1998 for transoceanic flights. Throughout its service, Delta operated 70 L-1011s, outpacing Eastern's 44 and securing its position as the predominant operator.

Lockheed produced 250 L-1011s, favored by several airlines. Notably, Delta, Eastern, Trans World Airlines, and ATA Airlines collectively operated significant numbers in North America. Despite the cessation of production in 1984 and a record of several tragic incidents, the L-1011 remains iconic in aviation history.

Various carriers worldwide adopted the L-1011; however, North American operations, especially Delta's, highlighted the aircraft's regional success. Delta Air Lines' name remains closely associated with the L-1011's legacy, owing to the impacts the aircraft had on its international service expansion.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group has announced the retirement of Armando de Santiago after 11 years of service at its Denver facility, as said in a LinkedIn post.

Aug 4, 2025

Emirates will introduce a fourth daily flight between Dubai and London Gatwick starting 8 February 2026.

Aug 4, 2025

UPS has operated one of the longest direct air cargo routes in the United States since 2018, connecting Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky with Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest version of the 737 family, designed to compete with the Airbus A321neo.

Aug 2, 2025

Russian airline Aeroflot reported significant flight disruptions on Monday, July 28, due to a failure in its information systems.

Aug 2, 2025

After more than four years, American Airlines will reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) route starting October 6.

Aug 2, 2025