“Orient” to our name. We became Northwest Orient Airlines. We were promoted with some great TV ads, such as Buster Keaton striking a big gong. This lasted until we began our European service in the 1970s.

As with other elements of the Company, our Food Service group did its best to promote our Asian service. From the beginning we boarded delicious Sushi in first class and Asian meals as an alternative choice in both first class and tourist trans-Pacific flights.

On our domestic food service we boarded “FUJIYAMA TRAYS”, attractive hors d’oeurve arrangements, in first class. This service consisted of a large pineapple cut flat on the bottom set on a decorative, lined meal tray. The following items were skewered onto the pineapple with Asian type picks – shrimp, cheese, ham, cherry tomatoes and various types of fruit cut into squares. Tray decorations included small wooden Asian dolls and other Oriental trinkets and ribbons. Many of our old-time passengers and employees remember the Fujiyama trays with fondness. To our knowledge, no other airline even came close to duplicating this effort.

A second “first” we originated was the OSHIBORI TOWEL. This idea, from Japan, consisted of an 8-inch-by-8-inch rolled facial towel scented and boarded 20 to a regular meal tray. Before serving with tongs the Cabin Attendant would pour seven or eight ounces of hot water evenly over each towel. They were well-received by passengers as a fragrant refresher.

Another well-received item were our colorful MEAL MENUS printed with Asian themes for both first class and tourist domestic and international flights. There are examples of them on display in the History Centre. And some Food Service silverware too. Did you know that before World War II, and perhaps shortly thereafter, Northwest’s knives, forks and spoons were silver-plated?

Thus, our talented Food Service people did their part in promoting our Orient Service throughout our domestic and international route system. We sincerely believe our food service was certainly as good as any and much better than most.

Truly, “You dined the best when you flew Northwest.”

In the Tough 1930s, Pay Day
Was a Great Day for Northwest Families

Year 1932 was one of the worst years in our Nation’s history. The full force of the Great Depression. Twenty-five percent of our working population was unemployed. No job? Tough patootie. No unemployment checks, no Social Security. No Medicare. No medicaid. No nothing, except soup lines. Wall Streeters were jumping out windows and selling five-cent apples, curbside. And much of the central section of the country was a “dust bowl” – one of the worst droughs ever. And no beer. It was still Prohibition.

But….If you were one of the 136 or so lucky people working for Northwest Airways, Inc. in 1932 you had a pretty good deal. At the very least you could confidently put meat and potatoes on the dinner table. In July, 1932, for instance, Northwest’s 136 employees split up, to various degrees, a $23,000 monthly payroll averaging about $175 each. What would that be in today’s wages, factoring in inflation? We don’t know. You figure it out.