You heard it right, the world's largest airline will be serving HIA!

Per the 10/29 News Release from Delta, "the new airline, called Delta and headquartered in Atlanta, will begin it's first day as a combined company with a commitment to delivering excellent service to customers in 66 countries and more than 375 worldwide cities - more than any other airline; with a dedicated base of approximately 75,000 worldwide employees; and with a best-in-class cost structure and strong liquidity balance that better positions the company to adapt to the weakening global economy. " Click here to read more of the release.

We don't expect the merger to affect service, at least not over the next three-six months. Delta has cut flights at other airports, but HIA has not lost any. Combined Delta and Northwest would serve about one in three flights at HIA. The merged airline would at least match growth and possibly surpass US Airways - the long dominant carrier at HIA- in the number of flights at HIA.

Both airlines are growing at HIA. Delta's passenger count is up 3% over 2007 and Northwest has grown by 23%. Delta offers daily nonstop service to Atlanta and Cincinnati from HIA. Northwest serves Minneapolis and Detroit from the airport.

Do you fly on Delta or Northwest? If so, where do you fly? How have your past experiences in flying with the carriers faired? Thoughts on the merger? 

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