Delta, NWA employees fly free

The two airlines share travel benefits as they prepare for a proposed merger
As Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. try to woo regulators and shareholders to support their proposed combination, they are courting employees, too, with new travel privileges.

The companies said Tuesday that, starting May 6, more than 100,000 employees and retirees of Atlanta-based Delta and Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest will get reciprocal access to both airlines' route systems for free standby travel.

Many airlines allow employees and their immediate family members free flights on their respective carrier provided there is a seat available. Some retirees also have such travel privileges.

Currently, if a Delta employee wanted to fly in the main cabin on a Northwest flight, he or she would have to pay a small fee, Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton said.