Editing Northwest Airlines (section)

==History==
===Beginnings===
Northwest Airlines was founded on September 1, 1926, by Colonel Lewis Brittin, under the name '''Northwest Airways''',<ref name="MSNBCHistorystuff"/> a reference to the historical name for the [[Midwestern United States]] that derived from the [[Northwest Territory]].{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} Like other early airlines, Northwest's focus was not in hauling passengers, but in flying mail for the [[U.S. Postal Service|U.S. Post Office Department]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usps.com/history/his2_5.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120162651/http://www.usps.com/history/his2_5.htm|url-status=dead|title=Parcel Post|archive-date=January 20, 2008}}</ref> The airline was originally based in [[Detroit, Michigan]].<ref name="MSNBCHistorystuff">"[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna9344497 Significant events in Northwest's history] ." ''[[Associated Press]]'' at ''[[NBC News]]''. September 14, 2005. Retrieved on January 11, 2012.</ref> The fledgling airline established a mail route between [[Minneapolis]] and [[Chicago]], using open-cockpit biplanes such as the [[Curtiss Oriole]] and the [[Waco Aircraft Company|Waco JYM]]. From 1928 the enclosed cabin six-passenger [[Hamilton H-45]] and H-47 were used.

[[File:NW 1920s logo.png|left|thumb|150px|1920s [[roundel]] logo]]
[[File:Northwest Airlines Ticket.png|thumb|Northwest Airlines passenger ticket from 1951]]
[[File:Waco JYM NC991H N.W.Airlines HARM 10.06.06R.jpg|left|thumb|150px|1929 Northwest Airways Waco JYM used on the Minneapolis-Chicago mail route]]
[[File:Hamilton H-47 N879H Oshkosh 27.07.10R edited-3.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Rebuilt 1929 [[Hamilton H-47]] wearing Northwest Airways markings in 2010]]
[[File:Douglas DC-3 Northwest Airlines.jpg|thumb|Northwest [[Douglas DC-3]]]]
Northwest Airlines began carrying passengers in 1927; in 1928 Northwest started its first international route with service to [[Winnipeg]]. In 1929, a group headed by Richard Lilly, a businessman from [[St. Paul, Minnesota]], purchased the airline.<ref name="MSNBCHistorystuff"/>

In 1933 Northwest was selected to fly the "Northern Transcontinental Route" to [[Seattle]], Washington. It adopted the name '''Northwest Airlines''' the following year after the [[Air Mail scandal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airlinefiles.com/historical-events/historic-milestones-item/221-air-mail-scandal.html|title=Air Mail Scandal, April 29th 1930 - airlinefiles|website=airlinefiles.com|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220144/https://airlinefiles.com/historical-events/historic-milestones-item/221-air-mail-scandal.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>''Montana and the Sky: The Beginning of Aviation in the Land of the Shining Mountains'' {{ASIN|B0006BP8GE}} p. 223</ref> Northwest Airways, Inc. changed its name to Northwest Airlines, Inc.<ref>Ward, Paul W. "[https://archive.today/20130131183533/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1671611752.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+21,+1934&author=&pub=The+Sun+(1837-1985)&desc=BIG+AIR+LINES+PUT+IN+BIDS+FOR+CARRYING+MAIL&pqatl=google BIG AIR LINES PUT IN BIDS FOR CARRYING MAIL]." ''[[The Sun (Baltimore)|The Sun]]''. April 21, 1934. Start Page 1, 2 pages. Retrieved on January 11, 2012. "Northwest Airways, Inc., which had a 4.69 percent, slice of the 1933 airmail business, reorganized as the Northwest Airlines, Inc., and bid to- day to[...]"</ref> and the airline was incorporated under its new name in the State of Minnesota.<ref name="MSNBCHistorystuff"/>

In 1939 Northwest had five daily flights from Chicago to [[Minneapolis]]; three continued west to Seattle through [[North Dakota]] and [[Montana]]. Northwest also served [[Winnipeg, Manitoba]], and [[Portland, Oregon]], by spurs from its transcontinental route.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airchive.com/html/timetable-and-route-maps/northwest/1939-august-1/6999# |title=1939 NWA timetable |publisher=Airchive.com |access-date=October 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320075219/http://airchive.com/html/timetable-and-route-maps/northwest/1939-august-1/6999 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 }}</ref>  By the spring of 1948, Northwest was operating three different aircraft types:  the 44-passenger seat [[Douglas DC-4]], the 21-passenger seat [[Douglas DC-3]] and the 36-passenger seat [[Martin 2-0-2]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Northwest Orient Airlines Schedule |date=March 15, 1948 |at=Coast-to-Coast - East Bound |website=Northwest Airlines History Center |url=https://northwestairlineshistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NW-schedule-1948-03-15.pdf |quote=page 3 Flights 402, 302, 208 and 416 under Equipment |access-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029131027/https://northwestairlineshistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NW-schedule-1948-03-15.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Transpacific network development===
In 1931, Northwest sponsored [[Charles Lindbergh|Charles and Anne Lindbergh]] on a pioneering test flight to Japan via Alaska, scouting what would become known as the Northwest Airlines' [[Great-circle navigation|Great Circle]] route that could save {{convert|2000|mi|km|-3}} on a New York to Tokyo flight.{{cn|date=November 2024}} Northwest began to bolster the infrastructure on the domestic leg of this route during [[World War II]] when it flew soldiers and supplies from the Northwestern United States to Alaska. It was at this point that Northwest began painting its airliners' tails bright red as a visual aid in the often harsh weather conditions.{{cn|date=November 2024}} The airline's experience with the sub-arctic climate led the U.S. government to designate Northwest as the main airline over the North Pacific following the war.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

In the spring of 1947, Northwest began stationing employees at [[Haneda Airport]] in Tokyo, flying them from the United States via Alaska on its Great Circle route. On July 15, 1947, Northwest was the first airline to begin direct service between the United States and Japan,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000604153559/http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/upclose/1940.shtml First Commercial Flight from U.S. to Japan: July 15, 1947] (Northwest Airlines Website) Archived June 4, 2000.</ref> using a [[Douglas DC-4]] airliner named ''The Manila''. (All pre-war airline service to [[East Asia]] had been via Hawaii and the Philippines.) The flight to Japan originated at [[Wold-Chamberlain Field]] in Minneapolis and stopped at [[Blatchford Field]] in [[Edmonton]], [[Elmendorf AFB]] in [[Anchorage]], and [[Shemya AAF]] in the western [[Aleutian Islands]]. The flight continued from Tokyo to [[Lunghwa Airport]] in [[Shanghai]] and then to [[Nichols Field]] at [[Manila]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/nw47/nw47-4.jpg |title=1947 timetable |access-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805192455/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/nw47/nw47-4.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref>

A flight between Tokyo and [[Seoul]] ([[Gimpo International Airport|Gimpo Airport]]) began on October 20, 1947, and [[Naha Airport]] in [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] began to be a stop on the Tokyo to Manila route on November 16, 1947.{{cn|date=November 2024}} Northwest service to Shanghai was suspended in May 1949 because of the civil war in China, with the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] on the verge of collapse, and its government evacuated to the island of [[Formosa]] ([[Taiwan]]). Northwest Airlines added [[Songshan Airport]] in [[Taipei]], the new capital city of the [[Republic of China]], as a stop on the Tokyo-Okinawa-Manila route on June 3, 1950, with ongoing interchange service to Hong Kong operated by [[Hong Kong Airways]].{{cn|date=November 2024}}

===Northwest Orient Airlines===
{{Citations needed section|date=August 2023}}[[File:Northwest Orient DC-10-40 (6142354648).jpg|left|thumb|222x222px|Northwest Orient [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] at [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport]] in 1985.]]
With transpacific flights established, Northwest began branding as '''Northwest Orient Airlines''' between 1947 and 1986,<ref>{{cite web|title=Archives - Organization - Northwest Orient Airlines|website=[[Museum of Flight]]|url=https://archives.museumofflight.org/agents/corporate_entities/167|access-date=October 22, 2023|archive-date=December 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205050657/https://archives.museumofflight.org/agents/corporate_entities/167|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=lacfac>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hEEqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5k0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6411%2C249706 |work=Pittsburgh Press |title=Low air coach fares to all these cities |agency=(advertisement) |date=January 17, 1956 |page=15 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617202349/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hEEqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5k0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6411,249706 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=fb76spk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lSBOAAAAIBAJ&pg=4074%2C805050 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=(advertisement) |title=30% savings |date=February 18, 1976 |page=6 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025074450/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lSBOAAAAIBAJ&pg=4074%2C805050 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=pppgbmkr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L8daAAAAIBAJ&pg=6584%2C4728593 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |title=Birth mark |agency=(advertisement) |date=April 30, 1969 |page=5 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025074454/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L8daAAAAIBAJ&pg=6584%2C4728593 |url-status=live }}</ref> although its registered corporate name remained "Northwest Airlines."

NWA continuously upgraded equipment on the transpacific routes. On June 22, 1949, Northwest received its first double-decker [[Boeing 377|Boeing 377 "Stratocruiser"]], enabling more comfortable accommodations and faster transpacific flights.{{cn|date=November 2024}} The Stratocruiser began flying from the West Coast to Honolulu in 1950 and to Tokyo via [[Alaska]] on September 27, 1952.{{cn|date=November 2024}}　

In 1954, Northwest Orient purchased [[Douglas DC-6B]]s and started flying them to Tokyo and Manila. In January 1960, Northwest was operating transcontinental [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] turboprop service nonstop between New York City and Seattle with these flights being part of the airline's service between New York City and Asia with [[Douglas DC-7C]] aircraft being operated on the transpacific legs from Seattle and was also operating Electra propjet flights between Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago [[Midway Airport]] in the north and several destinations in Florida in the south including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa.<ref>http://northwestairlineshistory.org {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327010624/http://northwestairlineshistory.org/ |date=March 27, 2022 }}, Digital Archive, Timetables, January 1, 1960, Northwest Orient Airlines system timetable</ref>[[File:Boeing 707-351B N377US NWAL SFO 19.09.70 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Boeing 707-351B at [[San Francisco International Airport]] in 1970]]On July 8, 1960, Northwest placed the [[Douglas DC-8]] into service, offering the shortest flight times to East Asia, but within a year the airline was negotiating the sale of the five DC-8s. Northwest retired the last of its Boeing 377 Stratocruisers that September.{{cn|date=November 2024}} The airline purchased several [[Boeing 720]]Bs in 1961, and 1963 several new [[Boeing 707]]-320Bs; for a time it adopted the slogan "Northwest Orient: The Fan-Jet Airline". Nonstop transpacific flights became feasible with the introduction of the 707-320B/C. Northwest bought its first [[Boeing 747]]s in 1970 and soon began retiring its smaller 707s. In addition to operating the 747's on transpacific flights, Northwest briefly flew them on its busiest domestic routes as well.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

For years Northwest was the largest foreign airline serving Japan.{{cn|date=November 2024}} In 1951, Northwest became involved with the founding of [[Japan Air Lines]] (JAL) by leasing airliners and crewmembers to the new airline.{{cn|date=November 2024}} In 1952, United States and Japan ratified a regional bilateral aviation treaty, under which Northwest and [[Pan American World Airways]] became the two U.S. airlines in Tokyo.{{cn|date=November 2024}} These carriers also received [[freedoms of the air|fifth freedom rights]] to carry passengers from and via Tokyo to other Asian destinations such as [[Seoul]], [[Busan]], [[Taipei]], [[Kaohsiung]], [[Manila]], [[Beijing]], [[Shanghai]], [[Guangzhou]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Bangkok]], [[Kuala Lumpur]] and [[Singapore]]. Northwest also flew passenger routes from Japan to [[Guam]] and [[Saipan]], U.S. possessions in [[Micronesia]].{{cn|date=November 2024}}

Northwest's meteorologists, led by Dan Sowa, pioneered the first [[clear-air turbulence]] forecasting system in 1957, important since the airline flew many northern routes over turbulence-prone mountain areas. Northwest remained a leader in turbulence prediction, providing TPAWS (turbulence prediction and warning services) to other airlines.<ref>"McCartney, Scott. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05123/498351.stm Airline passenger injuries from turbulence decline]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151016195056/http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/05123/498351.stm Archive]) (''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' at the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'': May 3, 2005) "But the improvement comes from more than just buckling up. Northwest Airlines has been a pioneer in developing forecasting for turbulence and wind shear, and today Northwest sell its daily "turbulence plot" to several other airlines. Northwest is particularly interested in the issue because it flies so much in mountainous areas."</ref>

{{pax
| note = (scheduled flights only, domestic plus international)
| footnote = <ref>Handbook of Airline Statistics (biannual CAB publication)</ref>
| 1951 | 602
| 1955 | 1017
| 1960 | 1654
| 1965 | 3304
| 1970 | 4506
| 1975 | 9471
}}

===Transatlantic and domestic expansion===
[[File:Boeing 727-251 N256US NWAL MIA 07.02.71 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-200]] at [[Miami Airport]] in February 1971]]
[[File:Northwest Orient Boeing 747-100 at London Gatwick Airport in June 1983.jpg|thumb|[[Boeing 747]] at [[London Gatwick Airport]] in 1983, in pre-merger Northwest Orient livery]]
[[File:Northwest Airlines Boeing 747-100 at Osaka.jpg|thumb|Boeing 747-100 at [[Osaka International Airport|Osaka Itami Airport]] ca. 1990, in post-merger Northwest livery]]
During the regulated era, Northwest's domestic network was mainly along the northern transcontinental route through Chicago, Minneapolis, and Seattle; New York and Detroit were added in 1945. Northwest also served [[Hawaii]] from the West Coast, and, starting in 1958–59, [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[Florida]] from Chicago.<ref>[http://airchive.com/html/timetable-and-route-maps/northwest/1961-april-30/7005 1961 map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320075317/http://airchive.com/html/timetable-and-route-maps/northwest/1961-april-30/7005 |date=March 20, 2012 }} and [http://airchive.com/html/timetable-and-route-maps/northwest/1974-february-1/7010 1974 map]</ref> On June 1, 1959, Northwest accepted its first [[turboprop]], the [[L-188 Electra]], from the [[Lockheed Corporation]]. Northwest Airlines started flying the three-engine [[Boeing 727-100]] in November 1964;<ref>Roach and Eastwood, 2003, p. 66</ref> many stretched B727-251s followed.

After [[airline deregulation]] in 1978 Northwest began nonstop flights to other Asian cities, returned to China in 1984 after a 34-year hiatus, and strengthened its presence in the southwestern United States. It also began flying to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavia. On May 21, 1984, shareholders in Northwest approved the creation of NWA Inc., a [[Delaware corporation]] that became the holding company of Northwest.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20000619144142/http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/upclose/1980.shtml Northwest Historical Timeline 1980's]." Northwest Airlines. Archived June 19, 2000.</ref>

On October 1, [[1986 in aviation|1986]], Northwest merged with [[Republic Airlines (1979-1986)|Republic Airlines]], also based in Minneapolis-St. Paul. It was the largest airline merger at the time and caused operational issues which led the combined carrier to have an on-time performance of just 42 percent in its early days.<ref name="mpr">Moylan, Martin (October 30, 2008) [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/01/09/nwa_history/ Northwest Airlines – a look back at its long history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629023208/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/01/09/nwa_history |date=June 29, 2011 }}. Minnesota Public Radio.</ref> Through the merger, NWA adopted Republic's three-hub domestic network centered around Detroit, Memphis, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The combined airline became particularly strong in the first two cities, with a market share of over 80% in each.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/05/11/airlines-merger-economy-opinions-contributors-lee-ohanian.html | work=Forbes | first=Lee E. | last=Ohanian | title=Another Too Big To Fail Firm | date=May 11, 2010 | access-date=September 6, 2017 | archive-date=July 29, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729205509/https://www.forbes.com/2010/05/11/airlines-merger-economy-opinions-contributors-lee-ohanian.html | url-status=live }}</ref> After the merger, the airline dropped ''Orient'' from its branding.<ref name=ttmots>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WVlaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6663,4661687 |newspaper=Waycross Journal-Herald |last=Walters |first=Robert |title=Trend toward monopolizing of the skies |date=October 2, 1986 |page=P-3 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025074452/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WVlaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6663%2C4661687 |url-status=live }}</ref><!--{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}--> One major reason for the merger was that Northwest's unique position as a domestic and transpacific carrier had been challenged in 1985 when [[United Airlines]] acquired the Pacific Division of [[Pan Am]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-19-fi-9662-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Robert E. | last=Dallos | title=Proposed Northwest-Republic Deal : Justice Dept. Cites 'Concern' Over Air Merger | date=February 19, 1986 | access-date=July 14, 2011 | archive-date=November 7, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107135119/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-02-19/business/fi-9662_1_seniority-lists | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:N240NW (21071862742).jpg|thumb|left|Northwest was one of the last passenger airlines to fly the [[DC-10]] when its last one was retired on January 8, 2007]]
[[File:Boeing 747-251B, Northwest Airlines AN1371024.jpg|thumb|left|Northwest was also the last major US passenger airline to fly the original series [[Boeing 747]] (pre-400 models)]]
Northwest continued to use the pre-merger Northwest Orient livery (minus the word "Orient") until a new livery and identity (designed by [[Landor Associates]]) were adopted in 1989. The new livery, nicknamed the "bowling shoe" by employees, featured colors of red, white, gray, and very dark blue.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

Also in 1989, Northwest became the launch customer of the [[Boeing 747-400]] and became one of only two airlines in the United States to operate it until its merger with [[Delta Air Lines|Delta]] in [[Delta Air Lines–Northwest Airlines merger|2009]]. The first aircraft it purchased was the first 747-400 to be built; it was later involved in a [[Northwest Airlines Flight 85|loss-of-control incident]] in 2002 and placed on display at the [[Delta Flight Museum]] following its retirement by Delta in 2015.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

Northwest was purchased in a 1989 [[leveraged buyout]] by an investment group headed by [[Al Checchi]], [[Fred Malek]] and [[Gary L. Wilson|Gary Wilson]], with KLM, and many others. To pay off the debt incurred, the new management sold many of the airline's aircraft to leasing companies, and sold property around the world, including land in central Tokyo. The expense of the buyout was so great that in 1993, following several years of losses due to industry overcapacity and a traffic downturn following the [[Gulf War]], Northwest threatened bankruptcy to force three years of wage cuts upon its employee groups. Northwest subsequently made its first profit since 1989 on the backs of its workers.{{Citation needed|reason=Loaded language that reads more like opinion without any citations. Suggest rewrite and supporting citations|date=April 2024}}

[[File:Northwest Airlines-KLM DC-10 hybrid livery Spijkers.jpg|thumb|This Northwest [[DC-10]], [[Aircraft registration|Registration]] N237NW, was painted in a hybrid Northwest-[[KLM]] livery to advertise the alliance between the two airlines  ]]
Also in 1993, Northwest began its strategic alliance with [[KLM]], which was the largest airline partnership at that time. This partnership eventually became the [[Wings Alliance]], but the alliance never grew beyond the two airlines. Northwest gradually pulled out of its minor European destinations and focused on domestic and Asian markets.

On May 1, 1996, Northwest inaugurated the first-ever nonstop service from North America to China, [[Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport|Detroit]]–[[Beijing Capital International Airport|Beijing]].<ref name="Detroit Airport History">{{cite web|title=Detroit Airport History|url=http://www.metroairport.com/TravelerInfo/GeneralInfo/AboutDTW/AirportHistory.aspx|website=metroairport.com|access-date=September 8, 2016|archive-date=September 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916001939/http://www.metroairport.com/TravelerInfo/GeneralInfo/AboutDTW/AirportHistory.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nonstop Detroit–Shanghai service followed in April 2000. These nonstop services were suspended in 2002 due to the outbreak of [[severe acute respiratory syndrome]] (SARS).{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} Northwest then served these routes via Tokyo. The airline sought government approval to restore nonstop Detroit–Shanghai service in March 2007 but lost its bid to [[United Airlines|United]]'s [[Washington Dulles International Airport|Washington]]–Beijing route; however, before their merger with [[Delta Air Lines]], Northwest received tentative authority to restart nonstop Detroit–Shanghai service starting March 25, 2009.

Through the late 1990s and early 2000s, Northwest enjoyed profits and focused on improving technology to increase convenience and reduce costs. The airline offered airport self-service check-in kiosks starting in 1997 and had more than any other airline. Northwest was the first large U.S. airline to offer internet check-in to passengers, with service from December 2000.{{cn|date=November 2024}} During the early 2000s decade, Northwest acquired a reputation for refusing to adopt industry-wide fare increases that had been accepted by other airlines. This changed in March 2005, when Northwest adopted fare hikes in response to rising oil prices.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

[[File:Northwest Airlines 1989-2003.svg|thumb|150px|NWA logo, 1989–2003]]
[[File:Boeing 757-300 (Northwest Airlines) (292516996).jpg|thumb|250px|757-351 in the "Bowling Shoe" livery, used from 1989 until 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aerotime.aero/rytis.beresnevicius/22870-most-beautiful-liveries|title=Top 10 Most Beautiful Airline Liveries Of All Time|publisher=Aerotime Hub|last=Beresnevicius|first=Rytis|date=January 21, 2019|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717000506/https://www.aerotime.aero/rytis.beresnevicius/22870-most-beautiful-liveries|url-status=dead}}</ref>]]
Due to competition from [[low-cost carrier]]s such as [[Southwest Airlines]] and the impact of paying living wages in a new contract with employees represented by the [[Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association]] (AMFA) [[labor union]], Northwest began to make cutbacks in early 2001 to preserve profits and executive salaries. Two small rounds of employee layoffs and other cutbacks were implemented in the months before the [[September 11 attacks]]. Following the attacks, Northwest was forced to make dramatic changes to its business structure through major employee layoffs and other cost-cutting measures. The retirement of costly and aging aircraft such as the [[Boeing 727]] and [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40]] were accelerated as new aircraft went into service. In addition, the airline pursued options to reduce costs across the board, including removing pillows, peanuts, pretzels, [[in-flight entertainment]] on domestic flights, and newspapers and magazines. Over 50 [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9]], [[Boeing 757]], [[Boeing 747]], and [[Airbus A320 family]] aircraft were withdrawn from use in an attempt to lower overall capacity and save money. Some of these aircraft were returned to service.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}

Following many years of a pioneering and close partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest, along with partners KLM and [[Continental Airlines]], joined [[SkyTeam]], an [[airline alliance|alliance]] of ten airlines from around the world, on September 15, 2004. This was partially a result of [[Air France]] merging with KLM, forming the [[Air France-KLM]] group. Northwest continued to hemorrhage money, however.

===Bankruptcy===
Northwest filed for [[Chapter 11]] bankruptcy protection for the first time in its 79-year history on September 14, 2005, a day before a scheduled $65 million pension payment, and during a strike by its mechanics' union. With Northwest's filing, four of the six largest U.S. carriers were operating under bankruptcy protection: Northwest joined [[Delta Air Lines]] (which filed just minutes before), [[United Airlines]], and [[US Airways]] in bankruptcy. Northwest CEO Doug Steenland said that high fuel prices forced the airline to seek court protection; the relatively high age of Northwest's fleet exacerbated the impact of fuel prices on its finances.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carey |first1=Susan |title=Northwest Airlines Files for Chapter 11 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112672434522540703 |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=14 September 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Evan |title=Delta, Northwest See Bankruptcy As Key to Revival |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112671083630940483 |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=15 September 2005}}</ref>

In the following weeks, Northwest Airlink carriers [[Mesaba Airlines]] and [[Pinnacle Airlines]] both announced that Northwest Airlines had missed payments to them for their Airlink flying. Northwest also announced plans to shrink its Airlink fleet by over 45 aircraft. Mesaba Aviation filed for [[Chapter 11 Bankruptcy]] on October 13, 2005.<ref>{{cite news|title=Northwest Partner Files for Protection|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9502E0D6173FF937A25753C1A9639C8B63&scp=2&sq=Mesaba%20Aviation%20bankruptcy%20%20october&st=cse|work=The New York Times|date=October 14, 2005|access-date=February 9, 2010|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604145405/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9502E0D6173FF937A25753C1A9639C8B63&scp=2&sq=Mesaba%20Aviation%20bankruptcy%20%20october&st=cse|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Northwest Airlines A320 upon takeoff at San Jose International Airport.jpg|thumb|left|A320-212 at [[San Jose International Airport|San Jose]] in Northwest's final livery (2004-2010) before its closure.]] Following its bankruptcy filing, Northwest renegotiated its labor contracts, lowering its highest level of flight attendant pay from $44,190 to $35,400.<ref>{{cite news |title=Northwest exits Chapter 11, enters new era |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18946406 |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=NBC News |agency=AP |date=31 May 2007}}</ref> Northwest stock resumed trading on a "when-issued" basis on May 21, 2007, and regular trading began on May 31, 2007. On May 18, 2007, Northwest Airlines was cleared by a federal bankruptcy judge to emerge from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection on May 31, 2007, ending Northwest's 20 months of difficulty trying to slash costs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/535/story/1192189.html |title=Northwest clear to exit Chapter 11 |publisher=Startribune.com |date=May 19, 2007 |access-date=October 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020111833/http://www.startribune.com/535/story/1192189.html |archive-date=October 20, 2007  }}</ref>

On July 16, 2007, Northwest Airlines applied to the [[United States Department of Transportation]] for nonstop service between its WorldGateway hub in Detroit to Shanghai (beginning in 2007 on [[Boeing 747-400]]s) and to Beijing (beginning in 2010 on [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]]s).{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} The airline faced off against [[Delta Air Lines]] (which proposed Atlanta to Shanghai and Beijing), [[American Airlines]] (Chicago/O'Hare–Beijing), [[Continental Airlines]] (Newark–Shanghai), [[US Airways]] (Philadelphia–Beijing), [[United Airlines]] (Los Angeles–Shanghai and San Francisco–Guangzhou), and [[MAXjet]] (Seattle–Shanghai) in the route competition.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}

On August 12, 2007, Northwest Airlines became a passive investor in the purchase of [[Midwest Airlines]] by [[TPG Capital]]. The airline stated that while it was an investor, it would not participate in any management or control of [[Midwest Airlines]].<ref>[http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/newsc/2007/pr081320071878.html Northwest Airlines To Become Passive Investor of Midwest Airlines] (Official Press Release: August 13, 2007)</ref> However, on August 14, 2007, [[AirTran Airways]] raised their offer for Midwest to $16.25 a share, 25 cents more than the TPG offer.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-08-14-airtran-midwest_N.htm Northwest Airlines and TPG Bid Now In Competition with AirTran Airways] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523162543/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-08-14-airtran-midwest_N.htm |date=May 23, 2011 }} (USA Today: August 14, 2007)</ref> But soon after on August 17, 2007, [[TPG Capital]] raised their offer to $17.00 a share which sealed the deal. Northwest Airlines became a minority owner of [[Midwest Airlines]] in the fourth quarter of 2007.<ref name="phx.corporate-ir.net"/>

On September 25, 2007, Northwest Airlines received DOT approval to begin service to Shanghai from its Detroit hub beginning March 25, 2009. American, Continental, Delta, and US Airways also received new or additional China route authority to Shanghai or Beijing, and United received authority to serve Guangzhou.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/delta-united-airlines-crack-china-routes/story?id=3649633|title=Delta, United airlines get first crack at new China routes|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|last=Mutzabaugh|first=Ben|date=September 25, 2007|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717051328/https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/delta-united-airlines-crack-china-routes/story?id=3649633|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Merger with Delta Air Lines===
{{main|Merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines}}
[[File:DL-NW Tails.svg|thumb|Most common symbol for the merger]]
On April 14, 2008, Northwest Airlines announced that it would be merging with [[Delta Air Lines]] to form the world's largest airline. The merger was approved on October 29, 2008. The CEO during the merger of Delta and Northwest was [[Richard H. Anderson (businessman)|Richard Anderson]] who was Northwest Airlines CEO from 2001 to 2004. The combined airline uses the Delta name and branding. On October 1, 2009, Northwest WorldPerks merged into [[SkyMiles]]. On January 31, 2010, Delta completed the merge of the reservation systems and discontinued using the Northwest name for flights. The official final flight was Northwest Airlines Flight 2470 from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.delta.com/2010/02/05/employees-celebrate-another-merger-milestone/ |title=Delta Air Lines Blog &#124; Employees Celebrate Another Merger Milestone |publisher=Blog.delta.com |date=February 5, 2010 |access-date=March 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214064229/http://blog.delta.com/2010/02/05/employees-celebrate-another-merger-milestone/ |archive-date=February 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=19255|title=ATW Daily News|date=February 2, 2010|publisher=Atwonline.com|access-date=March 5, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} <!-- Remove this comment when fixing the dead link: http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=19255 -->{{Dead link|date=December 2013|bot=Theo's Little Bot}}</ref>

===NWA Cargo===
As of 2006, Northwest Airlines Cargo was the largest cargo carrier among U.S. combination passenger and cargo airlines. NWA Cargo's fleet of dedicated {{Nowrap|Boeing 747}} freighter aircraft flew from some key cities in the United States and East Asia, as well as Amsterdam, connecting with the carrier's cargo hub in Anchorage, Alaska ([[Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport]]), facilitating the quick transfer of cargo between large cities on both sides of the Pacific. NWA Cargo also transports freight aboard the passenger fleet of Northwest Airlines to more than 250 cities worldwide. Delta announced that the NWA Cargo hub will be shut down by the end of 2009. As of early 2008, NWA's largest cargo client was DHL International. In December 2007, NWA announced that DHL International would terminate its cargo agreement with the airline effective late 2008. According to NWA Chief Financial Officer Dave Davis, the loss of its largest cargo client would bring significant changes to the division. Further changes to the NWA Cargo division continued into 2009 as it was merged into the Delta Cargo service. NWA Cargo ended all operations on December 28, 2009. On July 30, 2010, Northwest pleaded guilty to one count of felony [[price fixing]] for fixing prices for cargo shipping via NWA Cargo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Delta's Northwest pleading guilty to price fixing|first=Diane|last=Bartz|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSTRE66T47D20100730|work=[[Reuters]]|publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]|date=July 30, 2010|access-date=July 30, 2010|archive-date=April 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422013623/https://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSTRE66T47D20100730|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Northwest Airlines Cargo, Boeing 747.jpg|thumb|Northwest Cargo Boeing 747]]