Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines merge to form largest carrier

[jetsetter]

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

http://www.nwa.com/features/mergerle...ervesV2.hplead

With this merger they will have around 860 aircraft in their fleet.

[Donington]

So this is the end of Northwest?

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by Donington

So this is the end of Northwest?

Well, it will now be known as Delta. If you count that as the end then there you go.

[phuckingduck]

Why's this in politics?

/not being a smart ass

[Blind_Io]

Business = Money
Money = Politics

When congress decides what is bought and sold, the first things to be bought are the congressmen.

Case in point.

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by phuckingduck

Why's this in politics?

/not being a smart ass

We can have slightly more serious conversation in here.

[_HighVoltage_]

It is in politics, because this merger is of great importance to American economy. The SEC (Security and Exchange Commision) has to review the case and say if the merger will be legitimate. They will have to look into what this means for the customers - will fare flight go down or will they sky-rocket?

[Whappeh]

This still has a long, long way to go before you see Delta paint being applied to Northwest aircraft.

Personally, I give it a great chance out of recent mergers, but I still think its a long shot.