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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 3d+3JbMl8xzEHIHQ+Dp2lA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-08-012462.txt : 20080618
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-08-012462.hdr.sgml : 20080618
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080618185428
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-08-012462
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080616
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080618
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080618

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:			COHEN NEAL S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001243463

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15285
		FILM NUMBER:		08906574

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		USAIRWAYS
		STREET 2:		2345 CRYSTAL DRIVE
		CITY:			ARLINGTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22227
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7038727384

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2345 CRYSTAL DRIVE
		CITY:			ARLINGTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22227
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001058033</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NWA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001243463</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COHEN NEAL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2700 LONE OAK PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EAGAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55121</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP-Strategy,Int'l&amp;CEO-Reg Air</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>51517</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.60</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>238414</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Payment of tax liability by withholding of shares upon vesting of restricted stock units.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Cathy R. Sams, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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