Delta Boeing 737 Livery History (1983-present)

JJ Skippy

Well-known member
Hello everyone! Welcome back to another livery history. Today we’re looking at the Delta 737s, all the way from their beginnings to today.

1 - Delivery (1983)
N301DL was the first 737 to be delivered to Delta, having been delivered in October of 1983. Maybe some slight bias here but this is my favorite on the 737s for Delta.
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2 - Western Merger (1986-1987)
Following the merger with Western in 1986, being completed the next year, hybrids existed where the main Western livery remained but Delta titles were added. Some had the white background, others did not.
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It was also at this time Delta got their first 733s.
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3 - Delta Express (1996-2003)
In 1996, Delta started one of their own “airline-within-an-airline” with Delta Express. The primary livery from mainline would be used with the addition of Delta Express titles. This would use the newer typeface that appeared on the Ron Allen livery, which would be introduced around this time also.
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Into the 2000s, Ron Allen and Deltaflot liveries existed. Note the “WA” suffix on the Ron Allen airframe.
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4 - Ron Allen (1997-2000)
With a new CEO came a new livery for Delta, replacing the Widget that had been around for several decades. This livery always appears unique to me as I typically don’t see this when googling images of old Delta aircraft.
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Some Ron Allen 733s were chosen to wear Delta Shuttle titles:
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Part 2 on next post.
 
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Continuing on, in 1998 Delta took delivery of their first 738.
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5 - Deltaflot (2000-2007)
In 2000, my favorite overall livery personally, Deltaflot, was introduced. Some also call it Wavy Gravy or Colors in Motion. By this point, Delta had the 732, 733, and 738 in their fleet. Not pictured here are Delta Shuttle 732s and 738s.
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Note the winglets on the 738. A few lucky airframes got them equipped with the Deltaflot livery still applied to them.


6 - Onward and Upward (2007-present)
In 2008, Delta retried their last 732s and 733s, leaving just the 738s. None would wear the new livery for Delta.
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That same year, Delta got their first 737-700s. These would be retired in 2020.
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In 2013, Delta took delivery of their first 737-900ER (top photo). Around 2016, -900s would be equipped with spilt scimitar winglets (bottom photo)
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Today, Delta has 204 737s in service, with 77 738s, and 127 739s. They are also planning on getting some 737 MAXes in the future. I hope you enjoyed this post.
 
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Thank you for sharing! The Widget looks stunning on the 737s as always! Hopefully that Aeroclassics widget 732 surfaces at some point so all who don't have the GJ and SMA releases can own one of the stunning models! :D
 
Thank you for sharing! The Widget looks stunning on the 737s as always! Hopefully that Aeroclassics widget 732 surfaces at some point so all who don't have the GJ and SMA releases can own one of the stunning models! :D
I had the SMA version, it had Zinc Rot, would welcome the AC Widget 732.
 
Two more I can add. First is the quirky Powder puff girl livery. Never got that myself. 2nd is that 737-800s also wore Deltaflot Shuttle livery. Uniquely, at the time Delta flew several LGA/BOS/DCA-ATL turns on Friday nights and used the all coach aircraft throughout the system on weekends. They would reverse back Sunday nights. I flew one ATL-MCI r/t circa 2004 a/c 3732 and 3733. I believe they also operated weekend turns LGA-PBI/FLL/MCO.
 

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