• Northwest Airlines was the fourth largest airline in the world until it was acquired by Delta Air Lines in October 2008. The merger with Delta created the world's largest air carrier. NWA has three major hubs around the country in Detroit at Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, in Minneapolis, at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, and in Memphis, at Memphis International Airport.USA Today: Delta, Northwest to consolidate airport gates

• Fast Facts:

  1. Year Established: 1926
  2. Annual sales (2007): $12.528 billion
  3. Merged with Delta Air Lines in 2008
  4. Industry: Aviation
  5. Frequent Flyer Program: WorldPerks
  6. Alliance affiliation: SkyTeam
  7. Reservations: 1-800-800-1504
  8. Phone: 612-726-2111
  9. Fax: 612-726-7123
  10. HQ: Eagan, Minnesota
  11. Subsidiaries: Compass Airlines and Mesaba Airlines

• Key Dates

  • 1926: Northwest Airways founded
  • 1928: Makes first international flight, to Winnipeg, Canada
  • 1938: Company develops first aviation oxygen mask, to allow flying over Rocky Mountains
  • 1945: Begins service to New York City
  • 1947: Begins service to Asia
  • 1993: Began alliance with KLM
  • April 14, 2008: Announces merger with Delta Air Lines, pending approval
  • October 29, 2008: Acquired by Delta Air LinesUSA Today: Delta, Northwest to consolidate airport gates

• Northwest's Snack Switch

  In February 2009, Northwest Airlines resumed giving out peanuts to passengers as snacks. The decision came just four months after Northwest merged with Delta Air Lines. Delta has been distributing peanuts to passengers "for years." Families of passengers with potentially-deadly peanut allergies voiced concerns for the safety of their loved ones.CNN: Peanuts on Northwest Airlines prompt protests (February 16, 2009)

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