NWA to merge with Delta

[SOB]

Link to Announcement

Dear Northwest Customer: 

As a valued customer, I wanted you to be among the first to hear that we have announced an agreement to merge with Delta Air Lines. Subject to regulatory review, our two airlines are joining forces to create America's premier global airline which will be called Delta Air Lines.

By combining Northwest and Delta, we are building a stronger, more resilient airline that will be a leader in providing customer service and value. The combined airline will offer unprecedented access to the world, enabling you to fly to more destinations and have more flight choices.

You can be assured that your WorldPerks miles and Elite program status will be unaffected by this news. In addition, you can continue to earn miles with confidence on Northwest and all of our mileage partners.

The combined Delta Air Lines will serve more U.S. communities and connect to more worldwide destinations than any global airline. We will be the only U.S. airline to offer direct service from the United States to all of the world's major business centers in Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and around North America.

Both airlines bring tremendous strengths to this new partnership. Our complementary service networks form an end-to-end system that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. This is a merger by addition, not subtraction, which means all of our hubs - both Delta's and Northwest's - will be retained. In addition, building on both airlines' proud, decades-long history of serving small communities, we plan to enhance global connections to small towns and cities across the U.S.

All of these positive benefits of our combination mean that we can:

    * Offer a true global network where our customers will be able to fly to more destinations, have more schedule options and more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles in what will become the world's largest frequent flyer program.
    * Continue to serve our current roster of destinations and to maintain our hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Salt Lake City, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
    * Improve the customers' travel experience through new products and services including enhanced self-service tools, better bag-tracking technology, more onboard meal options, new seats and refurbished cabins

While we work to secure approval of our merger, which is expected to take 6 to 8 months, it will be business-as-usual at both airlines. We will continue to operate as independent airlines and the people of Northwest will remain focused on providing you with the very best in safe, reliable and convenient air travel. At the same time, both airlines will be planning for a seamless integration of our two airlines, one that delivers to you the enhanced benefits that will earn - and retain - your preference.

As we work through this process, we will keep you informed at every step along the way. Thank you for your business and we look forward to serving you on your next Northwest flight.

Sincerely,
Doug Steenland
President and CEO
Northwest Airlines

It'll be weird not to have a Northwest around, though I guess I don't care much as long as ticket prices don't jump because of this.  More info in an AP story... http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvT6NX4k_YVkVtwqeij5T_qaczpwD901V9L80

[Sikboy]

It's Just not the same Since E-Z left.


-Sik

[SOB]

Strait outta Compton, who could ask for anything more...

[Toad]

I predict the merged companies will experience even worse on-time figures and lower customer satisfaction scores for at least 5 years.

Neither managment could find their axes with both hands and an axe map.

[SOB]

Ouch.  Well, I hope Frontier keeps on going, as I already ditched NWA for them several years ago for PDX > MSP.  They're friendlier, more comfortable, have the DirecTV, with the only concession being PDX > DEN > MSP, instead of being nonstop.

I'm going to Japan in September though, and I imagine I'll be flying NWA.

[C(Sea)Bass]

Well thats one fewer airline that I will fly on. I've been on NWA and liked it, but I refuse to ever fly Delta agin.

A few years back my parents booked a family trip to florida. My dad asked for reservations on a saturday and was told we wold leave on a saturday. Then we pick up the tickets, at least we tried to, on saturday only to find out the morons at delta put us on a flight that left the day before. so we get put on stand-by, meanwhile our luggage, in plain view from the gate at the terminal, sits on the tarmac during pouring rain, and they never brought it out of the rain. We end up not leaving unitll tuesday and having to spend 3 days running our soaking wet clothes from the suitcases through the dryer. Bastages charged us for the second flight too, even though they screwed up and admitted that they screwed up.

SO I am never flying Delta, even the new one, ever.

[Sikboy]

+

???

-Sik

[mg1942]

NWA - I guess we want eazy way out

[Spikes]

Took these on Sunday at ALB Airport...before flying to Florida.

Just for the Delta haters...

[Trell]

More $$ per ticket less options for flight at major airports. 

Betting Delta will be the most Hated Airelines for customer service. for a long while..