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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AcrqgNtcXr9DcOtipXUO/ics9qA0JxF0pYCMM0N0y7Ph3owDgrbF3iuedeAO7H7h
 QPNfk7nbQ1WDzz38FyMv0g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000938775-03-000055.txt : 20030715
<SEC-HEADER>0000938775-03-000055.hdr.sgml : 20030715
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030714175038
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000938775-03-000055
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030714
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030715

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001058033
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AIR TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED [4512]
		IRS NUMBER:				411905580
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2700 LONE OAK PKWY
		CITY:			EAGAN
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55121
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6127262111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5101 NORTHWEST DR
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55111-3034

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000938775
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15285
		FILM NUMBER:		03785985

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		909 MONTGOMERY STREET # 400
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4154341111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		909 MONTGOMERY STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BLUM RICHARD C & ASSOCIATES L P
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970219
</SEC-HEADER>
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<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-07-14</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001058033</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NWAC</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000938775</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock </value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-07-14</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>G</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>22222</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>342578</value><footnoteId id="F2"/><footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwn
ership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Represents a charitable donation for which no consideration was given.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Includes 316,274 shares owned directly by Blum Capital Partners, L.P. and other entities controlled by Richard C. Blum.  They may be deemed to be owned indirectly by Richard C. Blum and Associates, Inc.  (&quot;RCBA Inc.&quot;) and Richard C. Blum, a significant stockholder and Chairman of RCBA Inc. and a director of the Issuer.  Mr. Blum disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.  The reported holdings also include 26,304 shares that are owned directly by RCBA Inc.  The shares may be deemed to be owned indirectly by Richard C. Blum, as described above.  The reported holdings include 27,267 shares representing Mr. Blum's pro rata share of 146,887 shares previously reported as indirectly owned through Richard C. Blum &amp; Associates-NWA Partners, L.P.  </footnote><footnote i
d="F3">This Form 4 does not include shares owned by The Benefits Connection Group Pension Fund, The Common Fund for its Multi-Strategy Equity Fund and The Carpenters Pension Trust for Southern California, managed accounts in which the reporting person has no pecuniary interest.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Murray A. Indick, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-14</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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