Crews Now Dressed In Delta Uniforms

Seattle-based flight attendant Christie Colegrove, a 25-year Northwest Airlines veteran, hung up her Northwest uniform Monday in exchange for a new Delta Air Lines uniform. Colegrove joined nearly 40,000 flight attendants, pilots, airport lounge representatives, ticket counter and gate agents who donned Delta uniforms Monday -- one of the first outwardly visible signs the two airlines are now one.

Delta's $500 million efforts to integrate the two airlines will take center stage this week at former Northwest hubs -- including Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis-St. Paul -- with new Delta signage appearing at more than 400 ticket counters, gates and baggage claim areas within the three airports. Delta has already rebranded 119 airports worldwide. The airline expects to have all domestic airports transformed by year's end, with all international locations scheduled for completion in 2010.

By the end of next year, nearly 250 pre-merger Northwest mainline aircraft will be painted in Delta's red, white and blue flagship colors. To date, 33 Northwest-branded aircraft have already been repainted, including a Boeing 747. Also by year's end, all Delta- and Northwest-operated mainline aircraft will feature similar interiors, including Delta's standard blue leather seats and carpet.

"In just five months, Delta has made significant strides to bring together the best of both airlines for the benefit of our customers, employees and the communities we serve," said Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer. "We're working hard to integrate every aspect of the travel experience - from onboard products, to aircraft exteriors and cabin interiors, to frequent flyer programs - so that all Delta customers worldwide enjoy one best-in-class experience."

As ANN reported, Delta and Northwest received merger approval in October 2008 that created the world's largest airline. Until now, significant post-merger changes -- synchronizing flight schedules, aligning route maps, integrating technologies and workgroups -- have largely taken place behind the scenes.

Other post-merger differences to be rolled out this year will include expanded First Class and Economy meal offerings, a greater selection of inflight entertainment programming, and a revamped inflight magazine.

FMI: www.delta.com