Delta 757: The Backbone of the Fleet

MotoArt has created the first official Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 PlaneTags in 2022, but the history goes back further between MotoArt and a Delta 757. Let’s take a closer look at Delta’s 757s and two in particular: N627DL and one from the past.

Boeing 757

The Boeing 757 is a twin-engine, narrow body airliner produced between 1981–2004. It was designed as a successor to the Boeing 727. The 757 made sense for many reasons, including its fuel efficiency and capabilities. Its modern wing design and engines provided better fuel mileage and allowed it to cruise at higher altitudes and take advantage of even better fuel economy. The 757 in some configurations could fit almost 40 more passengers than the 727s they were replacing and only required two pilots instead of three. The 757 and 767 shared common systems and had similar flight decks. Pilots trained on either type could fly the other and Delta Air Lines became the first carrier to fly both.

The 757 became the backbone of Delta’s short to mid-range routes for many years, launching them through the competitive 1980s and 90s, into the millennium and beyond.

Flying with Delta: 757

Delta’s original order of 116 of 757-232s included N627DL (see the entire 757 fleet list). Delta was also the launch customer for the more efficient Pratt & Whitney 2037 engine. With the PW 2037 and the “new technology wing”, as well a reduction in crew from 3 pilots to 2, the 757 was more fuel efficient and had lower operating costs than the 727 it replaced. Delta’s first 757 (check out the story on ship 602 below) was delivered in November 1984 and its inaugural flight took place soon after in December 1984. Eventually, as of July 2007, Delta would operate the largest 757 fleet in the world.

Here’s some of what you could expect on your flight:

Delta Air Lines Narrow Body Boeing 757-200 In-flight amenities Information

• Audio. There are 12 channels of audio entertainment on this plane. This aircraft requires two-prong headphones, so you can purchase an adaptor or purchase headphones onboard for $2.
• Video. There are video monitors located on the ceiling throughout the cabin. Movies are played on flights longer than 4 hours. This aircraft requires two-prong headphones, so you can purchase an adaptor or purchase headphones onboard for $2.
• Internet. Delta Airlines offers access to the internet using Gogo service. Connectivity is available for laptops and mobile devices. Access is available once the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet cruising altitude.
• Non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased for $7 in economy and are free of charge in First and Delta Comfort+.
• International flights and select flights to Alaska and Hawaii longer than five hours: All passengers are offered complimentary meal service. Economy passengers receive one complimentary alcoholic drink with meal.

See what it was like for N627DL to land in Las Vegas

Boeing 757-200 Specs

Characteristics:

• Manufacturer: Boeing
• Tail #: N627dl
• Crew: 6 (2 Pilots, 4 Flight Attendants)
• Seats: 199 Passengers
• Wing Span: 124 Ft 6 In
• Length: 155 Ft 2 In
• Height: 44 Ft 6 In

Performance:

• Range: 2,302 Nm
• Cruise Speed: 460 Kts
• Ceiling: 42,000 Ft
• Empty Weight: 127,520 Lbs
• Max Takeoff Weight: 230,000 Lbs
• Rate Of Climb: 3,500 Ft / Minute
• Engine: 2x Pratt And Whitney Pw2037 Turbofans Delta Air Lines

First Delta 757 PlaneTag

In 2017, MotoArt released a 757 PlaneTag, made from a Boeing 757 that was made for Delta Air Lines. “How could we not?” asks MotoArt owner Dave Hall. “Delta was a great client of ours. We made numerous MotoArt pieces for them, helped launch several projects, and we had developed several new close friends in the process.” The team secured sections of a Boeing 757-200, which turned out to be S/N 22809, tail number N602DL. N602DL was Delta’s very first Boeing 757. “We couldn’t believe our luck,” says Hall.

When the new PlaneTag launched in June 2017 under the tail number N602DL, it was a huge success until Delta’s legal team heard about it. “Have you ever heard the saying don’t bite the hand that feeds you?” Dave Hall recalls with a laugh. “We learned a valuable lesson that week.” Effective immediately, MotoArt was requested to stop using all Delta images and tail number from the product and packaging. “We couldn't apologize enough to the Delta legal team and to the friends that we had there. Delta did allow us to continue to sell the historic 757 PlaneTag, but only if we used the serial number of the aircraft instead of the tail number. What lucky few hundred people received the 757 Tail number? Honestly I am not even sure what series number we stopped at, as I was distracted trying to repair the damage.”

Hall turned what could have been a major problem into an opportunity to build a relationship with the airline. Today, MotoArt and Delta Air Lines continue the trusted teamwork they have built, with the introduction of an official Delta 757 PlaneTags collection.

N627DL

N627DL - Boeing 757-232 - Delta Air Lines flickr photo by Colin Brown Photography shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license 

The latest 757-200 is s/n 22917, with the tail number N627DL. It was delivered to Delta Air Lines in April 1987 and flew exclusively for the airline until retirement in 2017. It was part of a fleet of 189 757-200s, many of which are still in service.

Special Livery “Hank Aaron 755”

Photo by David Lebron

In 2007 Delta honored MLB Hall of Famer and Home Run King Hank Aaron with a special branded Boeing 757 dedicated to his home run record of 755. N627DL depicted Hank Aaron’s larger than life image and “Hank Aaron 755”. Aaron, a member of the Atlanta Braves, broke the home run record on April 8, 1974 with a 715th home run in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He then went on to hit his 755th and final home run on July 20, 1976, in a game against the Brewers. His record held tough for decades until it was broken by Barry Bonds in 2007. Hank Aaron still holds the second place record for home runs.

Making PlaneTags: Delta 757

Take a look at some behind-the-scenes photos the team took during the making of the new 757 PlaneTags.

Delta 757-200 PlaneTags

The official Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 PlaneTags arrive in the planetags.com shop in January 2022. The series is numbered to 7,500 and the original run of colors will be White, Delta Blue, Delta Light Red, and Delta Dark Red. PlaneTags collectors will want to get the whole set for the collection. But these will also make a thoughtful and appreciated gift for travelers, pilots, baseball fans and any aviation enthusiast.

Delta PlaneTags

You won’t want to miss the Delta Mad Dogs in your collection. The MD-88 and MD-90 are available now. You can read more about them here: MD-88 and MD-90: Celebrating Delta's Mad Dogs