JulieVikmanis

My apologies if this is asked all the time. Couldn't find answers in a search.

We are longtime, loyal NWA flyers who are sick of going through DTW with two stops to get to places in europe from Ft. Lauderdale and we're thinking of flying Delta on our next flight into Malpensa/Milan and out of Fiumicino/Rome. We're a little leary of giving up the perks of Platinum status on NWA for the unknown of Delta service. For those of you who fly Delta:
How is their service overall? Delays?
Current fiscal and labor status? Strikes pending? Bankruptcy?
Thanks for any light you can shed and again my apologies if this is repetitive.

wally34949

Are you in business or coach? and when are you flying?

gail

Husband flies Delta 10-20 times/year - not enough to get him any enahnced FF status. He finds it no better, no worse than any other airline on which he flies coach.

If you can get a business class or first class seat on NWA and would be flying coach on Delta, I would stick with NWA.

bhsnyder

Since Delta is a SkyTeam partner with Northwest, your platinum status may entitle you to some benefits on Delta. I'm not positive, but check with NW for info. At the very least, you'll earn NW elite qualifying miles, so that's good.

As for Delta's status, it's certainly not in the best shape right now, but that shouldn't affect your travel plans. They are currently operating in bankruptcy under Chapter 11 protection. This is the same as what NW is doing right now. Delta has lost a great deal of money and is facing a fight about wage reduction from its pilots group, but to be honest, these fights appear to be much more benign than the looming NW fight with its employees.

I like Delta's service overall, but I have not flown them internationally in some time. I imagine that is where the most senior cabin crew is flying, and that could be good or bad. They generally fly 767s across the pond, a much more aisle-friendly aircraft than NW's - the 767s are only 2-3-2 configuration whereas NW is either 2-5-2 on the DC10 or 2-4-2 on the A330.

JulieVikmanis

Thanks very much for the responses. We'd be flying coach. I checked with NWA and they informed me that my husband's NWA platinum status will get us no help with Delta flights. So, it looks like, if the flights go as scheduled, Delta will be just fine. If there are any problems, we'll be much worse off with Delta than had we stayed with NWA even though it means one more stop. Tough decision. Thanks for your help in making it.

Patty

As Skyteam Elite Plus, you should at least get priority check-in (first/business/Medallion counter) and pre-boarding privileges. See http://www.skyteam.com/EN/benefits/s..._eliteplus.jsp and http://www.nwa.com/freqfly/elite/benguide06.pdf

In flight service can be the luck of the draw depending on the crew you get, but I've found Delta's service to be very good overall.

bhuty

Shouldn;t you be able to get some preferred seating on NWA? those two exit rows have a how extra inch or two leg room that you might be able to bag because of your NWA status?

I said this on another place that delta and NWA have very old planes and for that reason I would prefer to fly on other airlines. Service is very good quality as you'd expect on delta.

I mentioned to an NWA pilot that NWA landings are almost always smoother than delta and thanked him for the flight then he told me that smoother doesn't always mean better but appreciated the praise. That said, i still thikn NWA pilots land planes better than delta (based on my 4 flights on each).

wally34949

Northworst has replaced many of their DC 10's with Airbus A-330's. These planes sit 2 4 2 and are getting excellent reviews. Check the website for the type of plane. Last I knew, Memphis to Europe is still using the DC 10.