Was just out in Wild Rose Country from Ottawa on matters familial. My wife and I flew from Calgary and back within Alberta with these people:
The Esso Avitat terminal in Calgary was a delight, leather chairs and sofas, free coffee. A Northwestern person (the co-pilot) checked us in while sitting in the terminal, then later had a chat with us outside. Rather like commercial flying over five decades ago when rather younger. One understands current realities but it sure is nice that the good old days are not all gone.
And on our return flight to Calgary, with a bit of a glitch with the hotel shuttle bus, Northwestern Air without a thought drove us on their own one. Fast and not furious.
A delightful airline experience, an exemplar of free enterprise. Our co-pilot will soon get his fourth stripe. The aircraft, which does have its comfort limits:
Update: Read the August 17 Slave River Journal for a major piece on the airline (see first comment).
Mark
Ottawa




Hello Mark from Ottawa!
My name is Samantha Stokell. I’m a reporter with the Slave River Journal, in Fort Smith, where Northwestern is based. We’re putting together a 45th anniversary celebration edition for Northwestern and we’re collecting stories of people’s flights with the company.
Can we use this story? Please feel free to email me at sam@srj.ca.
Thanks!
I’ve had a similar experience with Porter – although it’s a much larger airline.