Delta, Northwest to create largest airline

[DarkFury]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24116154/



Delta, Northwest to create largest airline
Northwest shareholders paid in stock; its pilots will fight deal

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp., squeezed by record high fuel prices and a slowing economy, are combining in a stock-swap deal that would create the world’s biggest carrier.

The boards of both companies gave the deal the go-ahead Monday.

The announcement could spur other airline combinations. The most likely scenario that has been talked about is a potential deal between United and Continental airlines.



So what do you guys think this is going to do for ticket prices? Yeah, fuel prices squeeze us currently, but now... will they really put the squeeze on us by limiting the amount of travel choices?

Honestly, the last few flights I've taken were on completely sold out flights... not an empty seat on the plane. Airlines are putting less routes and more connections it seems... with even longer layovers waiting for a connecting flight (to fill planes I'd assume.)

Either way, I just wonder what effect this is gonna have on our future travel plans.

[SteveB]

I just hope my Delta stock will go back up following the announcement.

[uncledaddy]

I don't fly as much as I used to but if this will help with some of the problems that the airlines have been having then I'm all for it. Hopefully the merger will improve the destination choices, not hinder it. I think it will improve overall travel experiences.

[DarkFury]

I don't fly as much as I used to but if this will help with some of the problems that the airlines have been having then I'm all for it. Hopefully the merger will improve the destination choices, not hinder it. I think it will improve overall travel experiences.
Honestly, I hope so too... however I seriously doubt that it will benefit most of us as customers.

Delta traditionally is one of the more expensive airlines to fly (at least from my own personal experience flying around the Eastern/Southern region of the country).

Whenever I'm looking for an airline ticked, I usually end up on NWA, US Airways, or Airtran for the low price tickets... and it's not like Delta serves meals or whatnot for they additional prices that they charge.

Being based out of Atlanta (their main hub), you'd think that a flight to ATL on Delta would be pretty cheap... but unfortunately, it usually isn't. With them taking over NWA, I pretty much see it as one more "affordable" alternative being taken off the shelf... Hopefully I'm wrong on that, but honestly, I don't think that I am.

I'll keep my fingers crossed either way...

[gear02]

I try to not fly on Delta, US Air, Northwest, United and American these days. I think they all suck. I mostly try to take Continental, Alaska, Jetblue, and maybe now I'll take Virgin America more.

[VTGreg]

I can't imagine this merger impacting their flight schedules too much. Many of their flights are already co-chaired and their hubs are setup to service different parts of the country. Personally, I like the service I receive from Delta much more than that received when flying NWA. Hopefully Delta imparts some of their expectations/culture in that respect.

[uncledaddy]

Honestly, I hope so too... however I seriously doubt that it will benefit most of us as customers.

Delta traditionally is one of the more expensive airlines to fly (at least from my own personal experience flying around the Eastern/Southern region of the country).

Whenever I'm looking for an airline ticked, I usually end up on NWA, US Airways, or Airtran for the low price tickets... and it's not like Delta serves meals or whatnot for they additional prices that they charge.

Being based out of Atlanta (their main hub), you'd think that a flight to ATL on Delta would be pretty cheap... but unfortunately, it usually isn't. With them taking over NWA, I pretty much see it as one more "affordable" alternative being taken off the shelf... Hopefully I'm wrong on that, but honestly, I don't think that I am.

I'll keep my fingers crossed either way...

I do agree. Though, after my last experience with Southwest, I was more than willing to pay the higher price of any one of the other airlines, and it made my experience with US well worth it. I'd still be willing to pay the higher price of the merged airline.

[DarkFury]

But how much more are you guys willing to pay...

For me, the difference in flying Delta versus Airtain (I just bought a ticket to fly home over Memorial Day weekend) is about $60.

Delta was asking about $320 for a ticket and Airtran's best price was $260. I don't know about you guys, but $60 is a tank of gas, the cost of parking at the airport for the duration of the trip, or half a week's groceries for my household.

I guess it makes a difference to me... but to other, not as much I suppose. :shrug:

[cheapie]

i like that my status will transfer and i'll be able to get FF tickets on delta as well now.