Is NW going to a no-charge change policy
on Trans-Atlantic flights (like USA +DL)in
case of war?
If not, think KLM would be more flexible?

THE FOLLOWIONG IS MY OPINION ONLY

The other major US carriers have all announced plans to be more flexible during the Iraq conflict. NWA has not announced what if anything will be waived during the Iraq conflict.

I suspect that an announcement will be made by Northwest in the next few days because uncertainty about what might happen during the conflict (Getting stranded overseas, changing flights, dates, penalties, etc.) is a valid reason for pax to not book Northwest.

Radiocycle

NW will waive the change fee, though all other rules will still apply; fare class, min/max stay, etc.

Northwest Offering Flexible Ticketing Policy for International Travel


http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030311/cgtu024_1.html

My own experience -- my MSP-LGW flight was cancelled because of CRAF. I was originally rebooked through DTW with a 5 hour layover. When I realized that MSP-LGW was still flying the day before, I called, asked for and got a change with no charge.
tom

Northwest Offering Flexible Ticketing
Policy For International Travel

Special policy provides customers traveling to Asia or Europe with
additional options

ST. PAUL, MINN. -- (March 11, 2003) � Northwest Airlines today
announced a flexible ticketing policy for international travel that provides
customers with additional travel and ticketing options in the event of
military action.

�Northwest�s flexible international ticketing policy allows our customers
to purchase travel at extremely attractive fares with the assurance that
they can change their travel plans in the event of military action in the
Middle East,� said Laura Liu, vice president of international revenue
management.

Should a military conflict commence, Northwest�s flexible ticketing
policy, which would apply to international tickets that have already been
issued, provides customers with the option of:

Changing travel scheduled within 90 days of when hostilities
commence to an earlier or later date one time without paying any
administrative change fees. All return travel must be concluded
by December 15, 2003.
Applying the full value of their original ticket towards the
purchase of another ticket on Northwest or KLM, provided that
travel is completed by December 15, 2003.

While Northwest will waive the change fee one time, customers will be
responsible for any difference in fare and must qualify for all of the
requirements of their new fare. Should the new fare be lower, refunds
will not be given.

The policy also applies to customers traveling on award tickets related
to Northwest�s WorldPerks frequent flyer program.

To take advantage of these options, customers must advise their travel
agent or Northwest international reservations before their scheduled
flight, or within 30 days of military action commencing, whichever
occurs first.

Northwest�s flexible international ticketing policy applies to
Northwest-issued tickets for travel between the U.S. and Asia, the U.S.
and Europe, and within Asia. (Northwest-issued ticket numbers begin
with the numbers 012.)

Unfortunately, the flip side of the coin is when NW/KLM cancels your flight and it totally disrupts your travel plans they do not give you much help (at least so far).

I have two trips to Europe in the next month and my return flights on both have been cancelled. I therefore have to leave much earlier in the day. Since both trips are only for two days, this causes me great inconvenience.

At this point, I am willing to travel in the event of a conflict but the airline has already caused me great inconvenience. On one flight from MUC, I will have to leave at 10:30 a.m. instead of my scheduled 4:30 pm. This means leaving for the airport at 7:30 a.m. instead of 1:30 p.m. and not having brunch with my friends. It would be great if they did something for us loyal flyers.

...what flights (#'s and cities) were cancelled?

Phil

Flight 8643 from AMS to JFK at 7:25 p.m.