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DC-7 reaches Delta Flight Museum, restored to its former glory

Jan. 12, 2021
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2 min read
Delta DC-7
DC-7 reaches Delta Flight Museum, restored to its former glory
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It's been roughly a year and a half since I traveled out to the Arizona desert to watch Delta Air Lines pick up one of its former DC-7s, a piston aircraft that flew passengers for less than a decade before being replaced by far faster planes as the jet age took hold.

In July 2019, I flew out to Phoenix before making my way to a small airfield in a tiny town called Coolidge to catch the plane ahead of its final journey to Atlanta (ATL). That's where Woody Grantham, the aircraft's owner at the time, gave me a tour of his DC-7.

After its delivery in 1957, the four-engine plane flew Delta passengers throughout the U.S. and beyond, covering routes like Atlanta to Miami, New York to Dallas and even New Orleans to San Juan, and Caracas, Venezuela.

This particular aircraft featured a "Sky Lounge," including a circular sofa at the back of the plane.

What's left of this DC-7's "Sky Lounge." Photo by The Points Guy.

By 1968, roughly 10 years later, Delta had retired all of its DC-7s, at which point this plane was converted to fly as a tanker.

After a long career fighting fires and fertilizing crops, the DC-7 eventually made its way back to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), its final resting place.

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Learn more: Picking up a vintage Delta DC-7 in the 110-degree Arizona desert

Delta enthusiasts and frequent flyers gathered this weekend to witness this next leg of the aircraft's journey. After being restored to its former glory, with a fancy new coat of paint, the DC-7 was rolled out of the hangar to its new home a few feet away.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

For now, the DC-7 will remain in front of the doors to the Delta Flight Museum, which remains closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually, you'll be able to check out the aircraft's exterior when you visit the museum. However, the interior hasn't been restored, so it unfortunately isn't possible to take a tour.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.