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**rylan** · 23 August 2006, 19:26

I flew on them buisness class from Boston to Singapore a couple years ago. Connected in Detriot to Japan to Singapore. First class for domestic to detriot, and the long leg from Detriot to Japan was on a 747-400 with very comfortable seats with in-seat entertainment units... then another 5 hours to singapore in buisness class. I think NWA still does what they call "world buisness class" which means they don't have a first class on the flights, so all of the front of the plane is the buisness class section. I was pretty impressed back then with the flight and service on board. Yes they have a nice lounge in Detriot, as Detriot/Minneapolis are their home base hubs. If I'm recalling the correct airport, it has a pretty cool elevated train inside the airport for getting around.

My only reccomendation would be to make sure that you aren't in the last row of buisness class seats, as they don't recline as far due to the bulkheads. But that might've changed, since their website shows a almost 180 degree recline now with sleeper seats.

**schmosef** · 23 August 2006, 20:17

Thanks rylan,

btw, I asked the company that suggested Northwest what was so special about the Toronto/Detroit flight that they called it first class and they didn't have a good answer. Any thoughts on that?

What was different about the Boston/Detroit leg of your flight so as to justify calling it "first class"?

**TnT** · 23 August 2006, 20:42

Funny you should mention NW Airlines. They are in hot water right now because they are laying off a bunch of people and gave out a How to live frugally pamphlet. It was amusing and mostly practical until it got to the one that said, "don't be afraid to take what you want from someone else's trash." The company they contracted out to make the pamphlet apparently recommends dumpster diving and the NW Airlines people who reviewed it decided that was okay

**schmosef** · 23 August 2006, 21:14

yeah, i heard about that on Consumerist.com.

Anyone know if NWA is in hotwater financially?

If I buy the tickets now is there a chance that they'll be out of business before the winter holidays?

**lowlifecat** · 23 August 2006, 21:36

ok so it wasn't deja vu. they are in the news today: dutch flight had an fighter escorted turn around.

**schmosef** · 23 August 2006, 21:40

Originally posted by lowlifecat

northwest airlines is familiar. they are in the news today i think.

Northwest jet turns back; passengers arrested?

**Dr Mordrid** · 23 August 2006, 23:32

NWA is in a bit of financial trouble and is having trouble with one of the unions, but in terms of their flights etc. everythings pretty much on schedule at Detroit Metro. Most times Metro is fine as long as O'Hare in Chicago doesn't bottleneck.

In terms of safety they're pretty good. In the last 40 years I can only remember two incidents involving them in this area; a commuter flight that belly-flopped (problem with French built plane) and a big crash in ~1987 on the highway next to the airport where the pilot forgot to lower his flaps on takeoff. Spent half the night on the search team looking for & tagging pieces

**schmosef** · 23 August 2006, 23:51

I hadn't even considered the safety angle.

Thanks for that info Doc.

@rylan, still interested to know what the difference between "first" and "business" class was on your trip.

**Brian Ellis** · 24 August 2006, 04:20

Flew NWA Amsterdam>Seattle and back (they are partners with KLM) 3 or 4 years ago, business class. Was entirely satisfied, no problems,

Your short haul first class is probably because they have no business class on that flight. Many times, when flying business class, I've been put in first for this reason in hub to satellite flights, but first on short haul is often little better than cattle class. You may get your coffee in a proper cup and an extra 2 cm leg room.

**Fluff** · 24 August 2006, 04:24

They gave me a scone with processed cheese inside for breakfast after a 10 hour flight. Cabin staff werent much to look, bit moody, at and I had a bad seat, and it was an old plane (DC-10),. But the flight was cheap and I was in economy.

**rylan** · 24 August 2006, 06:53

Yeah the 'domestic' flights in the US/Canada are first class because there isn't any buisness class on those planes. When you pay for a buisness class ticket international, you they give you the upgrade to first class domestic for the same price. You'll get wider seats, several inches of more legroom, food if the flight is during mealtime, and free drinks. This is the normal first class in the US for 2 class cabin service (first/coach)

International buisness class has the big sleeper seats with tons of room and all the goodies of the personal tv/entertainment center in every seat, better food (they put out table with fruit and some interesting japanese snacks after dinner), and of course plenty of free drinks

PS. I wouldn't pay any attention to the NWA flight that turned back. Stuff like that can happen on any airline with crazy people getting on board since thats up to the wonderful TSA security people to screen them. As for financial stability, I gues I'm used to flying on bankrupt airlines, since most of the major carriers in the US have been in and out of bankruptcy and kept on flying.

Go check out their website and seat maps if you're interested. Most likely you'll be on the 747-400 for international.

Access Denied

http://www.nwa.com/travel/trave/seatm/

Access Denied

http://www.nwa.com/services/bustrav/wbc/

If you decicde to go with them, make sure you open a frequent flier account, or if you have one on another airline thats in the SkyTeam group be sure to get mileage credit since there is a bonus for buisness class.

**schmosef** · 24 August 2006, 09:23

Thanks rylan.

I've signed up for their WorldPerks program. It links to airmiles too so that's neat.

Announcement

Northwest Airlines any good?

Northwest Airlines any good?

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