Just over nine decades ago, Delta Air Lines performed its first-ever passenger flight. The plane that conducted this milestone service was the Travel Air S-6000-B propellor plane, which the carrier took on in 1929. Here is a look at the veteran aircraft.
Plenty to offer
The monoplane was recognizable with its high wings. It could hold six people altogether, and the Wichita, Kansas-based Travel Air expected airlines to place two pilots at the front and four passengers behind. However, according to the Delta Flight Museum, Delta only deployed a single pilot. Therefore, another passenger could sit beside the aviator to allow for five customers on board.
A Wright J6 Whirlwind engine powered the plane to offer a range of 500 miles at a speed of up to 90 mph. However, it wasn’t the only the technical capabilities of the Travel Air S-6000-B that appealed to the airline and its customers.
The aircraft was billed as a flying limousine when it was introduced. It was painted in black and international orange livery while passengers inside were kept warm in the insulated, wood-paneled cabin.
Moreover, passengers sat in woven wicker seats and relied on hand holds instead of seatbelts. They could even roll down the windows for a breath of fresh air.
Best for business
A brochure titled Fly for Business and Why promoted flights on these planes for those looking to travel for business purposes. The company highlighted the comfortable experience that could be had if passengers would hit the skies on the aircraft.
The brochure said the following, according to the Delta Flight Museum.
“Delta Air Service ships are the safe, swift Travel Air enclosed cabin planes, equipped with 300 horsepower Wright Whirlwind motors. They bring a new luxury and comfort to air travel, undreamed of even five years ago,”
Delta legend C.E. Woolman, who was the company’s general manager at the time, spoke highly of the abilities of the plane. There was undoubtedly plenty on offer for those on board the aircraft.
Woolman said the following, as shared by the museum.
“[The planes have] accommodations for five passengers and pilot, toilet facilities, and space for hand luggage. In cold weather the cabins are warm and comfortable and with the interesting feature of scenic observation of the surrounding country, afford the ideal means of modern travel.”
Time to hit the skies
Altogether, Delta flew with three S-6000-Bs. Two units were acquired from Fox Flying Service, while one was purchased directly from the manufacturer. The cost of buying a new edition of the plane was $13,500, which is approximately $205,200 today. Registrations C8878 (MSN 988), C9905 (MSN 1072), and C9930 (MSN 1081) all subsequently joined the operator’s fleet.
It was C8878 that conducted the first-ever passenger flight for Delta. Previously, the airline was focused on crop-dusting operations to help protect the cotton fields of the southern states in the US against the boll weevil insect. This creature was proving to be a significant pest.
Nonetheless, the operator was now ready to take services to the next level. The first route was a flight between Dallas, Texas and Jackson with stops in Shreveport and Monroe, Mississippi. Operations started on June 17th, 1929.
The 427-mile flight took five hours to complete, including stoppage and lunch breaks. Subsequently, the S-6000-B helped Delta become the first carrier to offer an air service between Dallas and Jackson.
J. D. “Johnny” Howe was the pilot of this inaugural flight, and he was the perfect person for the job. He had six years of experience in the skies and previously worked as an agent for the Travel Air Company. Notably, he was also one of the first people in the US to gain a commercial pilot’s license.
There was only one passenger on this first trip, Delta’s operations manager, John S. Fox. However, he was welcomed with joy from Jackson Mayor Walter A. Scott on his arrival to the city.
On the way back, there were more passengers on the plane. As Cox returned after an overnight stay in Jackson, he was joined by a group of Jackson officials.
Return on investment
Notably, this return trip saw Delta’s first-ever paying passenger. While the fliers took a break in Monroe, they picked up W.C. Walsh, a factory representative for the motor car powerhouse, Dodge Brothers. He joined the traveling party to head to Dallas.
Fares on the route between Dallas and Jackson were $47.25 ($708 today) one away. The price was $90.00 ($1,349 today) for a return. The aircraft made the round trip three times a week. It headed to Jackson on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and traveled west on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
During the same year that Delta first purchased S-6000-B, it also took on the Travel Air 2000. However, this biplane was in use for flying lessons, charter operations, and company travel.
Delta installed radio sets on the S-6000-B at the beginning of 1930, with a test flight on January 8th. The operation departed Monroe and circled the city while receiving messages from as far as New York. This move was a significant achievement for the time.
Despite the groundbreaking adventures of the S-6000-B, Delta only flew it for just over a year. With tight competition and the arrival of the Great Depression, the carrier suspended passenger operations until 1934. Therefore the plane was retired by the end of October 1930. Nonetheless, this aircraft helped the airline on its way to becoming one of the most recognizable brands in aviation.
What are your thoughts about the Travel Air S-6000-B? What do you imagine it was like to fly on such an aircraft? Let us know what you think of the plane in the comment section.