ATLANTA, March 30, 2009 – Seattle-based flight attendant Christie Colegrove, a 25-year Northwest Airlines veteran, will hang up her Northwest uniform today in exchange for a new Delta Air Lines’ uniform. Colegrove is joining nearly 40,000 flight attendants, pilots, airport lounge representatives, ticket counter and gate agents who today will don Delta uniforms – one of the first outwardly visible signs that the two airlines are now one.

Delta’s $500 million investment to integrate the two airlines takes center stage this week in U.S. 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.

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.”

Delta and Northwest made aviation history last October in a merger that created the world’s largest airline with service to 379 destinations in 66 countries, more than 6,000 daily departures and more than 170 million customers served annually. Until now, significant post-merger changes – such as synchronizing flight schedules, aligning route maps, integrating technologies and workgroups – have largely taken place behind the scenes. “I’ve been wearing my uniform for 19 years. It was time for a fresh, new look,” said an excited Colegrove. “Delta is moving the industry forward with a great new uniform that shows our professionalism and pride in how we look, act and serve.”