Delta Air Lines had quite a few variations of the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar flying the skies in the 1980s, including this one and this one, and I’ve selected another version for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps.

Appearing below is Delta’s L-1011-250 seat map from 1987. It seated a total of 269 passengers across three classes of service. First Class seated 12 passengers in “Sleeper” seats – the old school style – in a 2x2x2 configuration. Business Class on this stretched version of the L-1011 offered 54 seats, 14 more than the shorter -500 series Delta flew during the same period, in a 2x4x2 layout. Coach had 203 seats in the usual 2x5x2 configuration.

In First Class, you’d find me in 1F. The first few rows of Business Class would be ideal and in coach I’d definitely try to get a window in row 21.

Where would you sit?

It’s time for another Vintage Airline Seat Map and I’ve selected an unusual one this week. World Airways – I know… they mislabeled it World Airlines – primarily flew (and currently flies) members of the military to war zones the world over along with other contracted business.

If Wikipedia is correct, they currently operate a couple of different configurations of the MD-11, the successor to the DC-10 – some with “premium” seating unlike the all coach 354-seater Douglas bird below.

It’s interesting that this seat map denotes row nine as having the most legroom. Perhaps it did, but if I were flying on this airplane, you’d find me in one of the exit row aisles or maybe seat 3D or 3G. I’d have to imagine the pitch was pretty tight. Also notice the bank of seven lavs in the back… whoa!

Where would you sit?

I previously posted the international configuration of a TWA L-1011-100 TriStar and I’ve selected the airline’s domestic version for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps.

This L-1011 also had three classes of service, but the business class – Ambassador Class – cabin was in a 2 x 4 x 2 layout versus the more spacious 2 x 2 x 2 found on the other bird. First Class also appears to have a tighter pitch, though the description still labels the seats as “Sleepers.”

Seating a total of 275 passengers, there were 28 seats in First, 48 in Ambassador Class and 199 in coach. Like the international configuration, there were no dedicated lavatories for Ambassador Class, which I find a bit odd.

In First Class you’d find me in row two or three, row eight or nine in the middle cabin, or row 17 or 18 in coach.

Where would you sit?

Last week I posted a pre-deregulation seat map of an American Airlines Boeing 727-100 and I thought it would be interesting to compare it against a version flying the skies eight years later for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps.

American pulled out one row of First Class, removed the coat compartment and bar from coach and likely tightened the seat pitch to offer 115 seats in this version versus the 100-seater I posted last week. First Class lost only four seats and economy gained 19 in the reconfiguration.

You’d find me sitting in 5A or 5F in First Class or in the first few rows of coach forward of the mid-cabin galley.

Where would you sit?

I’m sticking with a narrowbody again for this week’s Vintage Airline Seat Map and bring you the American Airlines Boeing 727-100 from 1977 appearing below. Seating a total of 100 passengers, this pre-deregulation configuration offered 14 first class seats and room for 86 in coach, which probably had nearly equivalent seat pitch as that found in first class.

A couple of interesting things to note are the carryon luggage racks, a coat compartment in coach and the bar across from the mid-cabin galley. Smoking was likely allowed plane-wide, so without that information, you’d find me in 3A in first class and 5A in coach if there was more legroom at that bulkhead, otherwise 6A.

Where would you sit?

It’s time again to feature a narrowbody aircraft for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps and I’ve selected one of Eastern Airlines’ Boeing 727-200s seen flying the skies in the late 1980s. The carrier had four different configurations of the -200 and this one was their highest density bird in 1987 seating 177 passengers in a single class of service.

What I find particularly interesting about this configuration is the rather punitive nature of having only two lavatories for its increased capacity. Perhaps it was flown on short-haul shuttle-style markets and I’d love to hear from any readers if they know more.

I’d prefer a seat near the forward part of the cabin with aisle seats 1D and 2D looking particularly attractive. Otherwise, I’d opt for a window in say… row three or four.

Where would you sit?

In the next couple of weeks, the Continental Airlines name will retire into the history books, so I’m devoting this week’s Vintage Airline Seat Map to one of the carrier’s DC-9-10s seen flying the skies in the 1980s.

Delta Air Lines took delivery of the first -10 variant in 1965 and it was designed to serve smaller airports on short- to medium-haul routes. Continental’s version appearing below seated a mere 83 passengers across two classes of service. The airline operated a total of 36 DC-9-10s during its tenure and sadly, experienced a fatal accident with one on November 15, 1987. Continental flight 1713 crashed after takeoff from Denver’s Stapleton Airport due to a combination of pilot error and improper deicing.

Continental’s row numbering in coach on this version is intriguing with a break from 16 to 21. Other DC-9s from the carrier at that time didn’t have a similar disparity. In First Class, you’d find me in 3A or 3F and in coach, I’d be keen on sitting forward of the wing on the two-seater side, probably away from the bulkhead in 6A or 7A.

Where would you sit?

Here’s an American Airlines Boeing 767-200 from 1987 for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. Seating a total of 184 passengers, First Class seated 14 people in a 2 x 1 x 2 configuration, Business Class offered 30 seats in the common 2 x 2 x 2 layout and economy sat 140 passengers in the typical 2 x 3 x 2 format.

The current version flying American’s premium routes today from JFK-LAX/SFO have a slightly different configuration for 168 passengers (10/30/128). A combination of a smaller First cabin and enhanced pitch of about 34” in economy account for the difference in seating capacity.

On the version appearing below, you’d find me in 3A in First, 9A or 9J in Business and 17A in coach.

Where would you sit?

When I launched this blog in November 2010, my very first Vintage Airline Seat Map was a United Airlines DC-10-10, my second favorite aircraft after the 747. It was the configuration I flew most frequently, but the one appearing below was seen flying in the 1970s and included a First Class lounge with swivel seats.

Seating a total of 254 passengers, First Class offered accommodation for 40 passengers (lounge seats included) in the common 2 x 2 x 2 layout. Coach had a total of 214 seats in the 2 x 5 x 2 configuration. The amazing thing about coach “back in the day” (pre-deregulation) was the seat pitch… 36” throughout!

In First Class you’d find me in 3A or 3F and in coach, my favorite seat was 10A for a great view forward and that of the engine.

Where would you sit?

The Boeing 727 remains one of my favorite aircraft types and I’ve selected an Eastern Air Lines 727-100 from 1987 for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps.

To me, the 727 has a design as unique and iconic as the 747. From the S-shaped number two engine duct to the deeply swept back wings, she’s just one sexy aircraft. Eastern was the launch customer for the 727 and the carrier flew their first passenger service with the -100 on February 1, 1964. While not with Eastern, I’m happy to have flown on many 727-100s in the 1980s with United Airlines.

Seating a total of 119 passengers, 12 seats are found in First Class in the typical 2 x 2 layout, and 107 seats in the 3 x 3 configuration were present in coach. Row two is always my preference in a three-row First Class section, so you’d find me in 2A or 2D. In coach, I’d probably vie for a window in row 16 or 17 for a great view of the wing in coach.

Where would you sit?

[Sorry for the bleed-through of the other visible aircraft... new scanner.]

It’s time for some narrowbody love for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. Not to be confused with the Jet America that planned to begin service in 2009, but never got off the ground, Jet America Airlines was a Long Beach, California-based carrier that operated from 1981 until 1987.

The carrier had eight of the MD-82 aircraft shown below and if Wikipedia is correct, served 12 destinations at its peak – LGB, SNA, OAK, ORD, MSP, STL, PDX, DFW, DTW, DCA, SEA and LAS. It’s also interesting to note they operated a pair of Boeing 707s briefly in 1984 out of Philadelphia for charters.

In 1986, the carrier received buyout offers from both Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines, the latter of which they accepted. Jet America continued to operate independently until October 1987, at which time it was fully absorbed into Alaska.

Seating a total of 147 passengers, First Class had the typical 2 x 2 layout with 12 seats and coach was configured 2 x 3 to hold 135. Flying near the front on MD-80s is always enjoyable due to the distance from the engines and quiet slipstream, so I’d be in 2A in First Class and 5A in coach.

Where would you sit?