EASTERN AIR LINES AT ATL IN 1976
The photos on this page are part of the Eastern Air Lines Digital Collection and were taken in 1976. The first four show the seldom photographed north side of concourse A where Eastern added a second level and double jetways to accommodate widebody L-1011s. The new Airbus A-300s would also use these gates. This first view was taken from the roof of Eastern's hangar and shows concourse A in the foreground. The area in the immediate foreground was previously the Eastern ramp at the temporary terminal used from 1948 to 1961. Concourse A was the last remaining section of this terminal and stood until 1990.
Another view from the Eastern hangar showing an L-1011 at gate 2. Eastern's fleet sported special Bicentennial stickers during 1976 and one can be seen on the forward fuselage of this L-1011. Through the haze in the distance is Delta's Jet Base. Delta had begun to retire their DC-8-51 fleet and several of them can be seen parked on the maintenance ramp. At right you can see a United Airlines 727 in the old red, white and blue "stars and bars" colors and a 737 in the new blue, red and orange Saul Bass "tulip" livery. To the left of the L-1011 tail is gate 1, the common holding area for Eastern's remote gates.
A ground level view of gate 2 with one of Eastern's mobile lounges partially visible at left. You can read more about Eastern's remote gates and the mobile lounges on this page.
A view from Eastern's maintenance ramp showing gates 2 and 3 at concourse A.
This is the view along the south side of Eastern's concourse B. These gates were used exclusively by 727s and DC-9s during the 1970s and 1980.
Eastern never added jetways to concourse B and the airline used minimal ground equipment at these gates. Aircraft departed under their own power as opposed to using pushback tugs and, at least in this photo, every plane is using built-in airstairs.
A close up of an Eastern DC-9 at gate 12 with a good view of the 1776-1976 sticker. Delta and Piedmont Airlines also added Bicentennial stickers to their aircraft during 1976.
An Eastern 727-100 lifts off from Hartsfield International.