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Confusion Alert! Northwest Changing Flight Numbers This Weekend

October 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM | by | Comments (0)

The sometimes schizophrenic, sometimes awkward, and sometimes plain silly consequences of the Delta / Northwest merger continue over the next two weekends, with plans to summarily change Northwest's flight numbers and match them to Delta's. Both airlines promise that customers will shortly be informed of the changes via email, which is kind of like the time the federal government promised Katrina victims "hold on - we'll be right there!" It might be true in theory, but in practice it's going to confusing and dismal for everyone.

Well, except for us. Since we're not flying Northwest this weekend, for us it's mostly just entertainment:

In preparation for the takeover of its rival, Delta Air Lines is changing nearly every Northwest Airlines flight number this week. Changes go into effect Saturday for international flights and Nov. 1 for domestic flights. That means, for example, if you have a reservation for Detroit to Tokyo on NW 11, it suddenly becomes NW 341. Detroit to Amsterdam on NW 68? It'll be NW 242. The flight number changes bring the numbering system in line with Delta's.

At least Delta isn't also simultaneously revamping their international offerings while all this is going on. Think of what a logistical headache that would be for travelers trying to juggle itineraries in anticipation of, say, overseas connections for summer vacation.

We're not really sure why they decided to do this now. They should have waited until Thanksgiving weekend; now that would have been funny. In the meantime, our sympathies go out to Northwest customer service and airport personnel. You guys are in for an absolutely exquisite next couple of weeks.

[Photo: planephotoman / Wiki Commons]

Related Stories:
· Merger progress: Northwest flight numbers to change [USA Today]
· Delta Coverage [Jaunted]
· Northwest Airlines Coverage [Jaunted]

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