Airlines

Uncovering the History of Delta Airlines: From Air Mail to the World's Largest Airline





Delta Airlines, formerly known as Delta Air Lines, Inc., is a major American airline headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1924, Delta is one of the oldest airlines in the world and has grown to become the largest airline in the world by fleet size, number of destinations served, and passenger-miles flown. Delta is also a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, and has a large global network that serves nearly 350 destinations in over 60 countries on six continents.

Delta's history dates back to the 1920s, when the company was founded in Macon, Georgia as an airmail and passenger service. In 1928, the company moved to Monroe, Louisiana and changed its name to Delta Air Lines. The name was chosen to reflect the company's status as the "delta" or final link between the Midwest and the West Coast. The airline's first flight was from Dallas to Jackson, Mississippi.

Over the years, Delta has grown to become a major international airline. In 1953, Delta acquired Chicago and Southern Air Lines, giving it access to a number of new destinations. In 1979, Delta acquired Western Airlines, and in 1987, it acquired Pan Am's Pacific routes. In 2008, Delta merged with Northwest Airlines, creating the world's largest airline.

Delta operates a large fleet of aircraft, including the Boeing 717, 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787, as well as the Airbus A220, A320, and A330. The airline's fleet is one of the most modern and fuel-efficient in the world, with an average age of just 11.3 years.





Delta has achieved many milestones throughout its history. Here are five of the most important:

1. In 1952, Delta became the first U.S. airline to offer jet service with the introduction of the de Havilland Comet.

2. In 1971, Delta became the first U.S. carrier to offer a frequent flyer program.

3. In 1984, Delta became the first major U.S. airline to fly to Tokyo.





4. In 1998, Delta became the first major U.S. carrier to offer a code-sharing agreement with another airline.

5. In 2014, Delta became the first airline to offer in-flight Wi-Fi across its entire fleet.

Unfortunately, Delta has also been involved in a number of incidents over the years. In 1985, a Delta L-1011 crashed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, killing 137 people. In 1996, a Delta MD-88 crash-landed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, killing 14 people. In 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration fined Delta $2.4 million for safety violations.

Despite its history of incidents, Delta has come a long way since its early days. It is now the world's largest airline, with an extensive network and a modern fleet of aircraft. It continues to innovate and set industry standards, and is committed to providing safe, reliable, and convenient air travel.