Anyone think it might be nice to have a consolidated timeline thread covering when different aspects of the merger will be complete? I just read the info about "Sky Clubs" and the pasted article mentions several of the other integration goals. Wondering if we have soft or hard dates on other changes like uniforms, on-board catering (both upfront and in the back)...etc.

OK, editing to keep a list...I'll try to update this as people post...or every couple of days:


Official Announcements
January 29 - Members able to link SkyMiles and Worldperks accounts (500 mile bonus through March 15, 2009)
March 30 - Domestic equipment and product integration w/ minor modifications to FC/EY services
March 31 - Mainline Uniforms change
April 1 - New flying for pre-merger Northwest crews on Delta routes (cross fleeting... ie NWA 744 ATL-HNL etc.)
April 1 - CrownRooms and WorldClubs re-branding to Sky Clubs. Full integration/standardization by early 2010.
April 1 - WorldTraveller inflight magazine phased out...Hello "Sky Magazine"
June 1 - International service equip integration/re-branding of World Business Class (WBC) to BusinessElite (BE)
October 24 - Continental exits SkyTeam
Late '09 - WorldPerks will become fully integrated into SkyMiles
Late '09 - USBank Worlperks Visa phased out (Debit card reported to remain)


Flyertalk Reported
March - CUN integrated
March - MCO Integrated

Here's what I know, perhaps any NWA employees can share as well.

Mainline uniforms change March 31.

March 30, 2009: Domestic equipment and product integration with minor
modifications to FC/EY services

April 1, 2009: New flying for pre-merger Northwest crews on Delta routes
(cross fleeting... ie NWA 744 ATL-HNL etc...).

June 1, 2009: International service equipment integration with re-branding of
World Business Class (WBC) to BusinessElite (BE)
(only minor changes to service delivery processes at this time)

WorldPerks will become fully integrated into SkyMiles in "late 2009", but nothing more specific has been released. Also, on October 24th, Continental will leave SkyTeam and all NW codeshares, shared benefits, and reciprocities will be dissolved. (Previously booked reservations should still be honored)

That and what azj posted are the only publicly-announced dates/events I know about.

Not to forget the super duper new magazine next month.

As one who has used both NW and DL a lot in the past I'd say that you'll know the intergration is full swing when your NW itins start showing schedule changes like you've never seen before. Had award tix to FLL last year booked in January on DL. We saw at least 15 significant schedule changes with several requiring calls due to misconnects, 6 hour layovers, etc.

Are the interiors of the planes being redone when they are repainted? It would be weird to get on a Delta plane with a NW interior.

Cheers,
Pogopossum