The following article from Richard Anderson, CEO of Northwest Airlines, was published in the December 2001 issue of Northwest's onboard publication, the WorldTraveler.

Reliability and convenience: Northwest's WorldGateway and e-services

Northwest Airlines has made great strides in increasing security at airports and on board our aircraft, while restoring much of the convenience that our customers experienced before Sept. 11.

The new terminal facility that we plan to open in Detroit next month will be a showcase of customer convenience. The new two million square foot Northwest WorldGateway also will be the finest hub connecting facility in the world.

Among the features at the new terminal:

Hassle-free connections. International and domestic passengers will arrive and depart from the same terminal, with 97 gates – a 50 percent increase from the present facility.

Quick and easy access to gates. Two express trams and 1.5 miles of moving walkways will help customers reach their gate destinations.

Convenient, state-of-the-art check-in. One-hundred six ticket counter positions, more than 80 e-service centers and an increase in SkyCap luggage check-in locations will offer customers more options.

Double the luggage carousels. Eighteen carousels will speed luggage claims with an average domestic claim time of 15 minutes.

More retail and restaurants. The new terminal will feature 125,000 square feet of retail and more than 80 shops and restaurants, plus four WorldClubs.

A new hotel connected to the terminal. A new upscale, 404-room Westin Hotel will open in fall 2002 and be connected to the terminal. It will feature a fine-dining atrium restaurant, an executive conference center, a health club, pool and spa facilities.

Increased parking. A 10-level, 11,500 space parking garage is nearly double the previously available parking.

Other Northwest convenience features have come about due to innovations in technology, for which we have become well known.

Northwest is the only major network air carrier to offer Internet Check-In – enabling e-ticketed passengers to print a boarding pass from the comfort of home or office before checking through security and going to the gate. To encourage more travelers to use this fast option, Northwest is offering a one-time award of 2,000 bonus-miles to WorldPerks members who use Internet Check-In on nwa.com through the end of December.

Northwest also offers the convenience of more than 260 e-service centers located at more than 40 airports around the United States. In addition to checking-in at one of these computer terminals, you can even check your own luggage at select locations. Others may take advantage of the expediency of curbside check-in. It’s all up to you.

Northwest Airlines is proud of its world-class airport facilities and the convenient check-in options we continue to offer our customers. We look forward to serving you around our system – especially when our new terminal opens in Detroit.

Thank you for flying with Northwest Airlines.

Richard Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
Northwest Airlines