With the Northwest Airlines merger official this week, we add an impressive airline experience to Delta’s heritage. Northwest’s many contributions range from the first closed-cabin plane for passengers (in 1926) to the first global airline alliance (with KLM). To find out more Northwest “firsts,” see their timeline.
Here is a colorful timetable cover from April 1, 1930, shared by collector Bill Rosenbloom. You see Northwest’s first logo, its original name “Northwest Airways” and a list of railroads that coordinated with their flights.
As this flight schedule cover indicates, Northwest is the oldest U.S. airline with a continuous name dating from its founding as Northwest Airways in 1926. It became ”Northwest Airlines” in 1934.
Looking forward to sharing more Northwest images and stories with you as I continue to learn about the airline.
Marie Force
Archives Manager
October 31st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Congratulations on the merger; of course travelers are taking pause no doubt, thinking what will this mean? One thing for certain, that’s one impressive route system with little overlap.
Tom | Overheardbin.com
October 31st, 2008 at 5:25 pm
According to email from Delta, it will take some time before the merger actually changes anything.
I would like to know:
1. How long until we will be able to search NWA flights on the Delta web site.
a. I use a Delta only airport and would love to be able to include NWA flights on links from ATL.
b. If I use the NWA site, it refuses to search for flights from my Delta only airport. I get a no connection error.
2. Will number of miles earned on NWA site be the same as the number earned on Delta for Delta Skymiles users? I booked a flight on a partner airline and received half the miles. The flight was 4078 partner miles and I received 2040 Delta Miles
3. Can you change the system so Skymile/World Perks accounts work the same on both sites. For example, can it be set up so a medallion level customer can use both sites using one account?
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I’m really happy the merger went through… but I have a couple questions. Since I like to travel out of DTW, I would like to know this:
1) Will Delta keep the “WorldGateway” nameplate on the terminal?
2) When will the signage be changed?
3) Will the WorldClubs be transformed into Crown Room Clubs?
4) Will the frequent flyer program be called WorldPerks or Skymiles?
5) What will the in-flight magazine be, Sky or WorldTraveler?
It would be great if some of these questions can be answered! Thanks.