In addition to a number of bloggers and dignitaries, Delta Points reader and contributor Lars-Erik Olson was there to cover the grand opening yesterday. Here is his telling of the day!
The entrance to the Delta Flight Museum is on Rainey Ave (Woolman Place). Shuttle service from the South Domestic terminal is planned, but for now, you’ll need a car or taxi. On an overcast day, you could possibly take the Renaissance Concourse Hotel shuttle and then walk for about 10 minutes.
These hangars, which include the company’s original on the right, house the museum.
The newly constructed entrance building, which also houses the museum’s gift shop, uses three sets of landing gear to prop up the overhang.
Signage from Delta’s Terminal 3 at JFK (the former Pan Am Worldport) was taken down and transported to ATL to be on permanent display just above the museum store.
Frontline employees in current and vintage uniforms were present throughout the museum, and then assembled on stage during the program. The museum has an extensive collection, including uniforms from the companies that became part of Delta Air Lines.
Richard Anderson, Delta’s CEO, spoke about why the museum is an important initiative for the company: it highlights Delta’s unique culture, advances the exploration of aviation history and the future of flight, and celebrates the perseverance, resilience, and accomplishments of Delta people.
Behind him is “The Spirit of Delta,” a Boeing 767 purchased for the company by employees in 1982 when the company was in financial jeopardy.
Interactive touchscreens allow visitors to do such things as explore the Delta “family tree” and, as shown here, attempt to place the various Delta logotypes in the correct historical order.
As the principal founder of Delta Air Lines, C.E. Woolman led its steady growth from the world’s first crop dusting company to a firm place of leadership among the nation’s scheduled airlines. This item is from his office.
DL Ship 41, Delta’s first Douglas DC-3 to carry passengers, was painstakingly restored to its original 1940s condition by volunteer active and retired mechanics.
In a series of exhibits that juxtaposed old and new in a “that was then — this is now” fashion, the very first front cabin amenity kit (used on the Atlanta > London route) was on display with the current Tumi BusinessElite kit. By the way, a selection of Tumi products are for sale in the gift shop.
Left: Terminals used for boarding have changed. Does anyone remember the stickers that were used for seat assignments? Middle: The original Red Coat uniform, and today’s stylish edition. Frequent flyer material is also shown. Right: Famous film and theatrical costume designer Edith Head designed this uniform in 1959. The nose cone and cockpit from the Convair 880 that was used as a prop in this photo with all the stewardesses is on display in the museum.
Thank you so much, Lars-Erik for sharing with us. I know it was a HUGE day for Delta and for #AVgeeks like me. I cannot wait to visit the Museum and I am sure many readers are just as excited as me! – René
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