Northwest finally retiring the 747-251Bs

[Northwestdc9]

After 30 years of service, the last two remaining 747-251Bs currently operating charters with Northwest will finally be retired on Saturday, Nov 28th.
They will be operating a few more charters this week and will then be flown to Marana, AZ to be stored and likely scrapped.
6623 (Old colors) is currently in Minneapolis/St. Paul and will be flown to MZJ on the 25th.
6624 (New colors) is currently in Colorado Springs operating a military charter and is scheduled to be flown to MZJ on the 28th.

It's a sad day for Northwest as their last old colors widebody is retired, for some this is the real end of Northwest Airlines. Within months the remainder of the fleet will be completely painted (exception DC9-30/40) and Northwest officially retired.

I was fortunate enough to fly on 6624's final scheduled passenger service in 2007, SEA-MSP, you can see the pictures and trip report here: http://www.simairline.net/messageboards ... f=7&t=7819
I also hope to be able to run at least one of the last flights in FS this week, we'll have to see how the schedule works out. (I did the DC9-10, DC-10, this would be appropriate)

Anet is of course following the situation closely: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forum ... n/4614710/
And Delta fansite, Widgetheads is also covering the retirement: http://www.widgetheads.net/fleet/news.php

[DMM200]

Hmm, is it just me or are the pictures not there?

It is a very sad day indeed hearing this news, but we all new it was coming anyway.

Those bowling shoe colors were really photogenic; it's a shame we won't be seeing them anymore. Maybe Aaron can clarify but I don't believe there are anymore jets in the old livery currently in service. The last one I remember was an A320 that was repainted before the summer season (June?) from the bowling shoe to the new Delta colors.

[Dennis]

Wow, talk about a flashback. I re-read your entire trip report Nick. Hahaha, wow!

Indeed, NW will finally disappear forever. Sad day. On the plus side, Delta planes never looked so good until Airbus aircraft came into the picture.

[Northwestdc9]

Pictures are linked at the top of the Trip Report.
Embarking on my Northwest 747 classic farewell tour, screenshots of course to come, perhaps a tribute to Northwest.

[DMM200]

Pictures are linked at the top of the Trip Report.

Sorry, I mean to say that the pictures are not visible on that link. Regarding a post on that topic about the long loading times, the bottom of my browser says "Done". I'm using firefox.

And I'm definitely looking forward to screenshots of that classic farewell tour.

[Northwestdc9]

I've updated the page and it appears to be working in Firefox now, thanks.
http://and1.dnsalias.com:666/Hosting/Seattle Trip Report/Seattle.html

A preview of what's to come: http://and1.dnsalias.com:666/Screenshot ... W74213.jpg

[NWADC9]

Maybe Aaron can clarify but I don't believe there are anymore jets in the old livery currently in service.

Pinnacle's yet to finish the job; several CRJs are flying around with the Greatest Livery in the History of Airline Liveries.

[Northwestdc9]

Along with the great majority of the Mesaba Saab 340s.

[Delta320]

Along with the great majority of the Mesaba Saab 340s.

Yeah some of them look pink now not red

[Northwestdc9]

Haha, so true! Those babies really need some serious work.

Enroute to Minneapolis/St. Paul on 6623 as Northwest 9814, her last flight home. Very sad.