Document:

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                                                                EXHIBIT 4.(f)(1)

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                        ESCROW AND PAYING AGENT AGREEMENT
                                   (Class A-1)

                            Dated as of June 1, 2001

                                      among

                WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                as Escrow Agent,

                            SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.

                           J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

                     CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION

                         DUETSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC.

                        MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

                                       AND

                         U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY INC.

                                as Underwriters,

               STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT,
                              NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                         not in its individual capacity,
                       but solely as Pass Through Trustee
                              for and on behalf of
                 Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2001-1A-1
                            as Pass Through Trustee,

                                       AND

                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

                                 as Paying Agent

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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<S>               <C>                                                                     <C>
Section 1.        Escrow Agent..............................................................2

         Section 1.1       Appointment of Escrow Agent......................................2

         Section 1.2       Instruction, Etc.................................................2

         Section 1.3       Initial Escrow Amount; Issuance of Escrow Receipts...............4

         Section 1.4       Payments to Receiptholders.......................................4

         Section 1.5       Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Escrow Receipt..............4

         Section 1.6       Additional Escrow Amounts........................................5

         Section 1.7       Resignation or Removal of Escrow Agent...........................5

         Section 1.8       Persons Deemed Owners............................................5

         Section 1.9       Further Assurances...............................................6

Section 2.        Paying Agent..............................................................6

         Section 2.1       Appointment of Paying Agent......................................6

         Section 2.2       Establishment of Paying Agent Account............................6

         Section 2.3       Payments from Paying Agent Account...............................6

         Section 2.4       Withholding Taxes................................................7

         Section 2.5       Resignation or Removal of Paying Agent...........................8

         Section 2.6       Notice of Final Withdrawal.......................................8

Section 3.        Payments..................................................................8

Section 4.        Other Actions.............................................................9

Section 5.        Representations and Warranties of the Escrow Agent........................9

Section 6.        Representations and Warranties of the Paying Agent.......................10

Section 7.        Indemnification..........................................................11

Section 8.        Amendment, Etc...........................................................11

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Section 9.        Notices..................................................................12

Section 10.       Transfer.................................................................12

Section 11.       Entire Agreement.........................................................12

Section 12.       GOVERNING LAW............................................................12

Section 13.       WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL RIGHT...............................................12

Section 14.       Counterparts.............................................................13
</TABLE>

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EXHIBITS

Exhibit A         Escrow Receipt
Exhibit B         Withdrawal Certificate

                                      iii

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     This ESCROW AND PAYING AGENT AGREEMENT (Class A-1) dated as of June 1, 2001
(as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, this "Agreement") among
Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association, a national banking
association, as Escrow Agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in
such capacity, the "Escrow Agent"), Salomon Smith Barney Inc., J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Duetsche Banc Alex.
Brown Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray
Inc., as Underwriters of the Certificates referred to below (the "Underwriters"
and together with their respective transferees and assigns as registered owners
of the Certificates, the "Investors") under the Underwriting Agreement referred
to below, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National
Association, a national banking association, not in its individual capacity
except as otherwise expressly provided herein, but solely as trustee (in such
capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the "Pass Through
Trustee") under the Pass Through Trust Agreement referred to below, and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, as paying agent hereunder (in such capacity,
together with its successors in such capacity, the "Paying Agent").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, Northwest Airlines Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Guarantor"), Northwest Airlines, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Northwest")
and the Pass Through Trustee have entered into a Trust Supplement, dated as of
the date hereof (the "Trust Supplement"), to the Pass Through Trust Agreement,
dated as of June 3, 1999, by and among the Guarantor, Northwest and the Pass
Through Trustee, relating to Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2001-1A-1
(the "Pass Through Trust") pursuant to which the Northwest Airlines Pass Through
Trust, Series 2001-1A-1 Certificates referred to therein (the "Certificates")
are being issued;

     WHEREAS, Northwest and the Underwriters have entered into an Underwriting
Agreement dated May 22, 2001 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time in accordance with the terms thereof, the "Underwriting Agreement")
pursuant to which the Pass Through Trustee will issue and sell the Certificates
to the Underwriters;

     WHEREAS, Northwest, the Pass Through Trustee, certain other pass through
trustees and certain other persons concurrently herewith are entering into the
Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Note Purchase
Agreement"), pursuant to which the Pass Through Trustee has agreed to acquire
from time to time on or prior to the Delivery Period Termination Date (as
defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) equipment notes (the "Equipment Notes")
issued to finance the acquisition of aircraft by Northwest, as lessee or as
owner, utilizing a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Certificates
(the "Net Proceeds");

     WHEREAS, the Underwriters and the Pass Through Trustee intend that the Net
Proceeds be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent on behalf of the Investors,
subject to withdrawal upon request by the Pass Through Trustee and satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement for the purpose of
purchasing Equipment Notes, and that pending such withdrawal the Net Proceeds be
deposited on behalf of the Escrow Agent with ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through
a United States branch, as Depositary (the "Depositary") under the Deposit
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Depositary

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and the Escrow Agent relating to the Pass Through Trust (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the
"Deposit Agreement") pursuant to which, among other things, the Depositary will
pay interest for distribution to the Investors and establish accounts from which
the Escrow Agent shall make withdrawals upon request of and proper certification
by the Pass Through Trustee;

     WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent wishes to appoint the Paying Agent to pay amounts
required to be distributed to the Investors in accordance with this Agreement;
and

     WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth or incorporated by reference in the Pass Through
Trust Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the obligations contained herein, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     Section 1. ESCROW AGENT.

     Section 1.1 APPOINTMENT OF ESCROW AGENT. Each of the Underwriters, for and
on behalf of each of the Investors, hereby irrevocably appoints, authorizes and
directs the Escrow Agent to act as escrow agent and fiduciary hereunder and
under the Deposit Agreement for such specific purposes and with such powers as
are specifically delegated to the Escrow Agent by the terms of this Agreement,
together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Any and
all money received and held by the Escrow Agent under this Agreement or the
Deposit Agreement shall be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement is irrevocable and the Investors'
rights with respect to any monies received and held in escrow by the Escrow
Agent under this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement shall only be as provided
under the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement. The
Escrow Agent (which term as used in this sentence shall include reference to its
affiliates and its own and its affiliates' officers, directors, employees and
agents):

          (a) shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly
     set forth in this Agreement;

          (b) shall not be responsible to the Pass Through Trustee or the
     Investors for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties of
     any person other than itself contained in this Agreement or the Deposit
     Agreement or for the failure by the Pass Through Trustee, the Investors or
     any other person or entity (other than the Escrow Agent) to perform any of
     its obligations hereunder (whether or not the Escrow Agent shall have any
     knowledge thereof); and

          (c) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be
     taken by it hereunder or provided for herein or in connection herewith,
     except for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence (or simple
     negligence in connection with the handling of funds) or breach of its
     obligations hereunder.

     Section 1.2 INSTRUCTION, ETC. The Underwriters, for and on behalf of each
of the Investors, hereby irrevocably instruct the Escrow Agent, and the Escrow
Agent agrees: (a) to

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enter into the Deposit Agreement and, if requested by the Company pursuant to
Section 5(a)(vi) of the Note Purchase Agreement, to enter into a Replacement
Deposit Agreement with the Replacement Depositary specified by the Company; (b)
to appoint the Paying Agent as provided in this Agreement; (c) upon receipt at
any time and from time to time prior to the Termination Date (as defined below)
of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (a "Withdrawal
Certificate") executed by the Pass Through Trustee, together with an attached
Notice of Purchase Withdrawal in substantially the form of Exhibit A to the
Deposit Agreement duly completed by the Pass Through Trustee (the "Applicable
Notice of Purchase Withdrawal" and the withdrawal to which it relates, a
"Purchase Withdrawal"), immediately to execute the Applicable Notice of Purchase
Withdrawal as Escrow Agent and transmit it to the Depositary by facsimile
transmission in accordance with the Deposit Agreement; provided that, upon the
request of the Pass Through Trustee after such transmission, the Escrow Agent
shall cancel such Applicable Notice of Purchase Withdrawal; (d) upon receipt of
a Withdrawal Certificate executed by the Pass Through Trustee, together with an
attached Notice of Replacement Withdrawal in substantially the form of Exhibit C
to the Deposit Agreement (a "Notice of Replacement Withdrawal") duly completed
by the Pass Through Trustee, to (X) give such Notice of Replacement Withdrawal
to the Depositary requesting a withdrawal, on the date specified in such notice,
which shall not be less than 15 days after such notice is given (the
"Replacement Withdrawal Date"), of all Deposits then held by the Depositary
together with, if the Replacement Withdrawal Date occurs on a Regular
Distribution Date, all accrued and unpaid interest on such Deposits to but
excluding the Replacement Withdrawal Date, and (Y) direct the Depositary to
transfer such Deposits on behalf of the Escrow Agent to the Replacement
Depositary in accordance with the Replacement Deposit Agreement; (e) upon
receipt at any time and from time to time of a Withdrawal Certificate executed
by the Pass Through Trustee, together with an attached Notice of Series D
Non-Issuance Withdrawal in substantially the form of Exhibit D to the Deposit
Agreement duly completed by the Pass Through Trustee (the "Applicable Notice of
Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal" and the withdrawal to which it relates, a
"Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal"), immediately to execute the Applicable
Notice of Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal as Escrow Agent and transmit it to
the Depositary by facsimile transmission in accordance with the Deposit
Agreement; provided that, upon the request of the Pass Through Trustee after
such transmission, the Escrow Agent shall cancel with Applicable Notice of
Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal; and (f) if there are any undrawn Deposits (as
defined in the Deposit Agreement) on the "Termination Date", which shall mean
the earlier of (i) March 31, 2003 and (ii) the day on which the Escrow Agent
receives notice from the Pass Through Trustee that the Pass Through Trustee's
obligation to purchase Equipment Notes under the Note Purchase Agreement has
terminated, to give notice to the Depositary (with a copy to the Paying Agent)
substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement requesting a
withdrawal of all of the remaining Deposits, together with accrued and unpaid
interest on such Deposits to the date of withdrawal, on the 15th day after the
date that such notice of withdrawal is given to the Depositary (or, if not a
Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) (a "Final Withdrawal"),
provided that if the day scheduled for the Final Withdrawal in accordance with
the foregoing is within ten (10) days before or after a Regular Distribution
Date, then the Escrow Agent shall request that such requested Final Withdrawal
be made on such Regular Distribution Date (the date of such requested
withdrawal, the "Final Withdrawal Date"). If for any reason the Escrow Agent
shall have failed to give the Final Withdrawal Notice to the Depositary on or

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before March 31, 2003, and there are unwithdrawn Deposits on such date, the
Final Withdrawal Date shall be deemed to be April 15, 2003.

     Section 1.3 INITIAL ESCROW AMOUNT; ISSUANCE OF ESCROW RECEIPTS. The Escrow
Agent hereby directs the Underwriters to, and the Underwriters hereby
acknowledge that on the date hereof they shall, irrevocably deliver to the
Depositary on behalf of the Escrow Agent, an amount in U.S. dollars ("Dollars")
and immediately available funds equal to $201,112,000 for deposit on behalf of
the Escrow Agent with the Depositary in accordance with Section 2.1 of the
Deposit Agreement. The Underwriters hereby instruct the Escrow Agent, upon
receipt of such sum from the Underwriters, to confirm such receipt by executing
(by manual or facsimile signature) and delivering to the Pass Through Trustee an
Escrow Receipt in the form of Exhibit A hereto (an "Escrow Receipt"), (a) to be
affixed by the Pass Through Trustee to each Certificate and (b) to evidence the
same percentage interest ("Escrow Interest") in the Account Amounts (as defined
below) as the Fractional Undivided Interest in the Pass Through Trust evidenced
by the Certificate to which it is to be affixed. The Escrow Agent shall provide
to the Pass Through Trustee for attachment to each Certificate newly issued
under and in accordance with the Pass Through Trust Agreement an executed Escrow
Receipt as the Pass Through Trustee may from time to time request of the Escrow
Agent. Each Escrow Receipt shall be registered by the Escrow Agent in a register
(the "Register") maintained by the Escrow Agent in the same name and same manner
as the Certificate to which it is attached and may not thereafter be detached
from such Certificate to which it is to be affixed prior to the distribution of
the Final Withdrawal pursuant to clause (d) of Section 1.2 hereof (the "Final
Distribution"). After the Final Distribution, no additional Escrow Receipts
shall be issued and the Pass Through Trustee shall request the return to the
Escrow Agent for cancellation of all outstanding Escrow Receipts.

     Section 1.4 PAYMENTS TO RECEIPTHOLDERS. All payments and distributions made
to holders of an Escrow Receipt (collectively, "Receiptholders") in respect of
the Escrow Receipt shall be made only from amounts deposited in the Paying Agent
Account (as defined below) ("Account Amounts"). Each Receiptholder, by its
acceptance of an Escrow Receipt, agrees that (a) it will look solely to the
Account Amounts for any payment or distribution due to such Receiptholder
pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Receipt and this Agreement and (b) it will
have no recourse to Northwest, the Pass Through Trustee, the Paying Agent or the
Escrow Agent, except as expressly provided herein or in the Pass Through Trust
Agreement. No Receiptholder shall have any right to vote or in any manner
otherwise control the operation and management of the Paying Agent Account or
the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything set forth herein, or
contained in the terms of the Escrow Receipt, be construed so as to constitute
the Receiptholders from time to time as partners or members of an association.

     Section 1.5 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN ESCROW RECEIPT. If (a) any
mutilated Escrow Receipt is surrendered to the Escrow Agent or the Escrow Agent
receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any
Escrow Receipt and (b) there is delivered to the Escrow Agent and the Pass
Through Trustee such security, indemnity or bond, as may be required by them to
hold each of them harmless, then, absent notice to the Escrow Agent or the Pass
Through Trustee that such destroyed, lost or stolen Escrow Receipt has been
acquired by a bona fide purchaser, and provided that the requirements of Section
8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any applicable jurisdiction
are met, the Escrow Agent shall execute and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu
of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or

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stolen Escrow Receipt, a new Escrow Receipt or Escrow Receipts and of like
Escrow Interest in the Account Amounts and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding.

     In connection with the issuance of any new Escrow Receipt under this
Section 1.5, the Escrow Agent may require the payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Pass
Through Trustee and the Escrow Agent) connected therewith.

     Any duplicate Escrow Receipt issued pursuant to this Section 1.5 shall
constitute conclusive evidence of the appropriate Escrow Interest in the Account
Amounts, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed
Escrow Receipt shall be found at any time.

     The provisions of this Section 1.5 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Escrow Receipts.

     Section 1.6 ADDITIONAL ESCROW AMOUNTS. On the date of any Purchase
Withdrawal, the Pass Through Trustee may re-deposit with the Depositary some or
all of the amounts so withdrawn in accordance with Section 2.4 of the Deposit
Agreement.

     Section 1.7 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF ESCROW AGENT. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Escrow Agent as provided below, the
Escrow Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days' prior written
notice thereof to the Investors, but may not otherwise be removed except for
cause by the written consent of the Investors with respect to Investors
representing Escrow Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest
in the Account Amounts (an "Action of Investors"). Upon any such resignation or
removal, the Investors, by an Action of Investors, shall have the right to
appoint a successor Escrow Agent. If no successor Escrow Agent shall have been
so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days
after the retiring Escrow Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the removal
of the retiring Escrow Agent, then the retiring Escrow Agent may appoint a
successor Escrow Agent. Any successor Escrow Agent shall be a bank which has an
office in the United States with a combined capital and surplus of at least
$100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Escrow Agent hereunder
by a successor Escrow Agent, such successor Escrow Agent shall enter into such
documents as the Pass Through Trustee shall require and shall thereupon succeed
to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Escrow Agent, and the retiring Escrow Agent shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations hereunder. No resignation or removal of the Escrow
Agent shall be effective unless a written confirmation shall have been obtained
from each of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services, a Division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., that the replacement of
the Escrow Agent with the successor Escrow Agent will not result in (a) a
reduction of the rating for the Certificates below the then current rating for
the Certificates or (b) a withdrawal or suspension of the rating of the
Certificates.

     Section 1.8 PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. Prior to due presentment of a
Certificate for registration of transfer, the Escrow Agent and the Paying Agent
may treat the Person in whose name any Escrow Receipt is registered (as of the
day of determination) as the owner of such Escrow Receipt for the purpose of
receiving distributions pursuant to this Agreement and

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for all other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Escrow Agent nor the Paying
Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

     Section 1.9 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Escrow Agent agrees to take such
actions, and execute such other documents, as may be reasonably requested by the
Pass Through Trustee in order to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement and
the performance by the Escrow Agent of its obligations hereunder.

     Section 2. PAYING AGENT.

     Section 2.1 APPOINTMENT OF PAYING AGENT. The Escrow Agent hereby
irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Paying Agent to act as its paying agent
hereunder, for the benefit of the Investors, for such specific purposes and with
such powers as are specifically delegated to the Paying Agent by the terms of
this Agreement, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Any and all money received and held by the Paying Agent under this
Agreement or the Deposit Agreement shall be held in the Paying Agent Account for
the benefit of the Investors. The Paying Agent (which term as used in this
sentence shall include reference to its affiliates and its own and its
affiliates' officers, directors, employees and agents):

          (a) shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly
     set forth in this Agreement, and shall not by reason of this Agreement be a
     trustee for the Escrow Agent;

          (b) shall not be responsible to the Escrow Agent for any recitals,
     statements, representations or warranties of any person other then itself
     contained in this Agreement or for the failure by the Escrow Agent or any
     other person or entity (other than the Paying Agent) to perform any of its
     obligations hereunder (whether or not the Paying Agent shall have any
     knowledge thereof); and

          (c) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be
     taken by it hereunder or provided for herein or in connection herewith,
     except for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence (or simple
     negligence in connection with the handling of funds).

     Section 2.2 ESTABLISHMENT OF PAYING AGENT ACCOUNT. The Paying Agent shall
establish a deposit account (the "Paying Agent Account") at State Street Bank
and Trust Company in the name of the Escrow Agent. It is expressly understood by
the parties hereto that the Paying Agent is acting as the paying agent of the
Escrow Agent hereunder and that no amounts on deposit in the Paying Agent
Account constitute part of the Trust Property.

     Section 2.3 PAYMENTS FROM PAYING AGENT ACCOUNT. The Escrow Agent hereby
irrevocably instructs the Paying Agent, and the Paying Agent agrees to act, as
follows:

          (a) On each Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Deposit
     Agreement) or as soon thereafter as the Paying Agent has confirmed receipt
     in the Paying Agent Account from the Depositary of any amount in respect of
     accrued interest on the Deposits, the Paying Agent shall distribute out of
     the Paying Agent Account the entire amount deposited therein by the
     Depositary. There shall be so distributed to each Receiptholder of record
     on the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Interest
     Payment Date by check mailed to such Receiptholder, at the address
     appearing in the Register, such Receiptholder's pro rata share

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     (based on the Escrow Interest in the Account Amounts held by such
     Receiptholder) of the total amount of interest deposited by the Depositary
     in the Paying Agent Account on such date, except that, with respect to
     Escrow Receipts registered on the Record Date in the name of The Depository
     Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), such distribution shall be
     made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account
     designated by DTC.

          (b) Upon the confirmation by the Paying Agent of receipt in the Paying
     Agent Account from the Depositary of any amount in respect of the Final
     Withdrawal or any Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, the Paying Agent shall
     forthwith distribute the entire amount of the Final Withdrawal or such
     Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, deposited therein by
     the Depositary. There shall be so distributed to each Receiptholder of
     record on the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding the Final
     Withdrawal Date or, in the case of a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, on
     the date specified for payment thereof by the Pass Through Trustee in the
     Applicable Notice of Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal by check mailed to
     such Receiptholder, at the address appearing in the Register, such
     Receiptholder's pro rata share (based on the Escrow Interest in the Account
     Amounts held by such Receiptholder) of the total amount in the Paying Agent
     Account on account of such Final Withdrawal or such Series D Non-Issuance
     Withdrawal, as the case may be, except that, with respect to Escrow
     Receipts registered on the Record Date in the name of DTC, such
     distribution shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds
     to the account designated by DTC.

          (c) If any payment of interest or principal in respect of the Final
     Withdrawal or any Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal is not received by the
     Paying Agent within five (5) days of the applicable date when due, then it
     shall be distributed to Receiptholders after actual receipt by the Paying
     Agent on the same basis as a Special Payment is distributed under the Pass
     Through Trust Agreement.

          (d) The Paying Agent shall include with any check mailed pursuant to
     this Section any notice required to be distributed under the Pass Through
     Trust Agreement that is furnished to the Paying Agent by the Pass Through
     Trustee.

     Section 2.4 WITHHOLDING TAXES. The Paying Agent shall exclude and withhold
from each distribution of accrued interest on the Deposits (as defined in the
Deposit Agreement) and any amount in respect of the Final Withdrawal or any
Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal any and all withholding taxes applicable
thereto as required by law. The Paying Agent agrees to act as such withholding
agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any present or future taxes or
similar charges are required to be withheld with respect to any amounts payable
in respect of the Deposits (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) or the escrow
amounts, to withhold such amounts and timely pay the same to the appropriate
authority in the name of and on behalf of the Receiptholders, that it will file
any necessary withholding tax returns or statements when due, and that, as
promptly as possible after the payment thereof, it will deliver to each such
Receiptholder appropriate documentation showing the payment thereof, together
with such additional documentary evidence as such Receiptholder may reasonably
request from time to time. The Paying Agent agrees to file any other information
reports as it may be required to file under United States law.

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     Section 2.5 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF PAYING AGENT. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Paying Agent as provided below, the
Paying Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days' prior written
notice thereof to the Escrow Agent, but may not otherwise be removed except for
cause by the Escrow Agent. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Escrow
Agent shall have the right to appoint a successor Paying Agent. If no successor
Paying Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such
appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Paying Agent's giving of
notice of resignation or the removal of the retiring Paying Agent, then the
retiring Paying Agent may appoint a successor Paying Agent. Any Successor Paying
Agent shall be a bank which has an office in the United States with a combined
capital and surplus of at least US$100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Paying Agent hereunder by a successor Paying Agent, such
successor Paying Agent shall enter into such documents as the Escrow Agent shall
require and shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights,
powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Paying Agent, and the retiring
Paying Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.

     Section 2.6 NOTICE OF FINAL WITHDRAWAL. Promptly after receipt by the
Paying Agent of notice that the Escrow Agent has requested a Final Withdrawal or
a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal or that a Final Withdrawal will be made, the
Paying Agent shall cause notice of the distribution of the Final Withdrawal or a
Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, to be mailed to each of
the Receiptholders at its address as it appears in the Register. Such notice
shall be mailed not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the Final Withdrawal
Date or date of payment of such Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case
may be. Such notice shall set forth:

          (a) the Final Withdrawal Date or date of payment of such Series D
     Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, and the date for determining
     Receiptholders of record who shall be entitled to receive distributions in
     respect of the Final Withdrawal or a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal;

          (b) the amount of the payment in respect of the Final Withdrawal or a
     Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal for each $1,000 face amount Certificate
     (based on information provided by the Pass Through Trustee) and the amount
     thereof constituting unused Deposits (as defined in the Deposit Agreement)
     and interest thereon; and

          (c) if the Final Withdrawal Date or date of payment of such Series D
     Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, is the same date as a Regular
     Distribution Date, the total amount to be received on such date for each
     $1,000 face amount Certificate (based on information provided by the Pass
     Through Trustee).

     Such mailing may include any notice required to be given to
Certificateholders in connection with such distribution pursuant to the Pass
Through Trust Agreement.

     Section 3. PAYMENTS. If, notwithstanding the instructions in Article IV of
the Deposit Agreement that all amounts payable to the Escrow Agent under the
Deposit Agreement be paid by the Depositary directly to the Paying Agent or the
Pass Through Trustee (depending on the circumstances), the Escrow Agent receives
any payment thereunder, then the Escrow

                                       8
<PAGE>

     Agent shall forthwith pay such amount in Dollars and in immediately
     available funds by wire transfer to (a) in the case of a payment of accrued
     interest on the Deposits (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) or any Final
     Withdrawal or any Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal directly to the Paying
     Agent Account and (b) in the case of any Purchase Withdrawal, directly to
     the Pass Through Trustee or its designee as specified and in the manner
     provided in the Applicable Notice of Purchase Withdrawal. The Escrow Agent
     hereby waives any and all rights of set-off, combination of accounts, right
     of retention or similar right (whether arising under applicable law,
     contract or otherwise) it may have against amounts payable to the Paying
     Agent howsoever arising.

     Section 4. OTHER ACTIONS. The Escrow Agent shall take such other actions
under or in respect of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the
enforcement of the obligations of the Depositary thereunder) as the Investors,
by an Action of Investors, may from time to time request.

     Section 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow
Agent represents and warrants to Northwest, the Investors, the Paying Agent and
the Pass Through Trustee as follows:

          (a) it is a national banking association duly organized and validly
     existing in good standing under the laws of the United States of America;

          (b) it has full power, authority and legal right to conduct its
     business and operations as currently conducted and to enter into and
     perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement;

          (c) the execution, delivery and performance of each of this Agreement
     and the Deposit Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary
     corporate action on the part of it and do not require any stockholder
     approval, or approval or consent of any trustee or holder of any
     indebtedness or obligations of it, and each such document has been duly
     executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding
     obligations enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof or
     thereof except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
     insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws or equitable
     principles of general application to or affecting the enforcement of
     creditors' rights generally (regardless of whether such enforceability is
     considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

          (d) no authorization, consent or approval of or other action by, and
     no notice to or filing with, any United States federal or state
     governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the execution,
     delivery or performance by it of this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement;

          (e) neither the execution, delivery or performance by it of this
     Agreement or the Deposit Agreement, nor compliance with the terms and
     provisions hereof or thereof, conflicts or will conflict with or results or
     will result in a breach or violation of any of the terms, conditions or
     provisions of, or will require any consent or approval under, any law,
     governmental rule or regulation or the charter documents, as amended, or
     bylaws, as

                                       9
<PAGE>

     amended, of it or any similar instrument binding on it or any order, writ,
     injunction or decree of any court or governmental authority against it or
     by which it or any of its properties is bound or any indenture, mortgage or
     contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
     which it or any of its properties is bound, or constitutes or will
     constitute a default thereunder or results or will result in the imposition
     of any lien upon any of its properties; and

          (f) there are no pending or, to its knowledge, threatened actions,
     suits, investigations or proceedings (whether or not purportedly on behalf
     of it) against or affecting it or any of its property before or by any
     court or administrative agency which, if adversely determined, (A) would
     adversely affect the ability of it to perform its obligations under this
     Agreement or the Deposit Agreement or (B) would call into question or
     challenge the validity of this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement or the
     enforceability hereof or thereof in accordance with the terms hereof or
     thereof, nor is the Escrow Agent in default with respect to any order of
     any court, governmental authority, arbitration board or administrative
     agency so as to adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations
     under this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement.

     Section 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PAYING AGENT. The Paying
Agent represents and warrants to Northwest, the Investors, the Escrow Agent and
the Pass Through Trustee as follows:

          (a) it is a trust company duly organized and validly existing in good
     standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

          (b) it has full power, authority and legal right to conduct its
     business and operations as currently conducted and to enter into and
     perform its obligations under this Agreement;

          (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been
     duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of it and
     does not require any stockholder approval, or approval or consent of any
     trustee or holder of any indebtedness or obligations of it, and such
     document has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its
     legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance
     with the terms hereof except as such enforceability may be limited by
     bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws or
     equitable principles of general application to or affecting the enforcement
     of creditors' rights generally (regardless of whether such enforceability
     is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

          (d) no authorization, consent or approval of or other action by, and
     no notice to or filing with, any United States federal or state
     governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the execution,
     delivery or performance by it of this Agreement;

          (e) neither the execution, delivery or performance by it of this
     Agreement, nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof, conflicts
     or will conflict with or results or will result in a breach or violation of
     any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or

                                       10
<PAGE>

     will require any consent or approval under, any law, governmental rule or
     regulation or the charter documents, as amended, or bylaws, as amended, of
     it or any similar instrument binding on it or any order, writ, injunction
     or decree of any court or governmental authority against it or by which it
     or any of its properties is bound or any indenture, mortgage or contract or
     other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any
     of its properties is bound, or constitutes or will constitute a default
     thereunder or results or will result in the imposition of any lien upon any
     of its properties; and

          (f) there are no pending or, to its knowledge, threatened actions,
     suits, investigations or proceedings (whether or not purportedly on behalf
     of it) against or affecting it or any of its property before or by any
     court or administrative agency which, if adversely determined, (A) would
     adversely affect the ability of it to perform its obligations under this
     Agreement or (B) would call into question or challenge the validity of this
     Agreement or the enforceability hereof in accordance with the terms hereof,
     nor is the Paying Agent in default with respect to any order of any court,
     governmental authority, arbitration board or administrative agency so as to
     adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this
     Agreement.

     Section 7. INDEMNIFICATION. Except for actions expressly required of the
Escrow Agent or the Paying Agent hereunder, each of the Escrow Agent and the
Paying Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act
hereunder unless it shall have been indemnified by the party requesting such
action in a manner reasonably satisfactory to it against any and all liability
and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to
take any such action. In the event Northwest requests any amendment to any
Operative Document (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), the Pass Through
Trustee agrees to pay all reasonable fees and expenses (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel) of the Escrow Agent and the
Paying Agent in connection therewith.

     Section 8. AMENDMENT, ETC. Upon request of the Pass Through Trustee and
approval by an Action of Investors, the Escrow Agent shall enter into an
amendment to this Agreement, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect
the rights or obligations of the Escrow Agent or the Paying Agent, provided that
upon request of the Pass Through Trustee and without any consent of the
Investors, the Escrow Agent shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement for
any of the following purposes:

          (a) to correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement which may
     be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or to cure any
     ambiguity or correct any mistake or to modify any other provision with
     respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement, provided that
     any such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the
     Investors; or

          (b) to comply with any requirement of the SEC, applicable law, rules
     or regulations of any exchange or quotation system on which the
     Certificates are listed or any regulatory body; or

                                       11
<PAGE>

          (c) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under
     this Agreement of a successor Escrow Agent, successor Paying Agent or
     successor Pass Through Trustee.

     Section 9. NOTICES. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice
or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing (including by
facsimile) and shall be deemed to be given and effective upon receipt thereof
(or, if received outside of business hours, on the next opening of business on a
Business Day). All notices shall be sent to (a) in the case of the Investors, as
their respective addresses shall appear in the Register, (b) in the case of the
Escrow Agent, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association, 79 South Main
Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, Attention: Corporate Trust Services
(Telecopier: (801) 246-5053), (c) in the case of the Pass Through Trustee, State
Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, 225 Asylum
Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103, Attention: Corporate/Muni
Department (Telecopier: (860) 244-1889) or (d) in the case of the Paying Agent,
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111,
Attention: Corporate Trust Department (Telecopier: (617) 988-9514), in each case
with a copy to Northwest Airlines, Inc., Department A4010, 5101 Northwest Drive,
St. Paul, MN 55111-3034, Attention: Treasurer (Telecopier: (612) 726-0665) (or
at such other address as any such party may specify from time to time in a
written notice to the other parties). On or prior to the execution of this
Agreement, the Pass Through Trustee has delivered to the Escrow Agent a
certificate containing specimen signatures of the representatives of the Pass
Through Trustee who are authorized to give notices and instructions with respect
to this Agreement. The Escrow Agent may conclusively rely on such certificate
until the Escrow Agent receives written notice from the Pass Through Trustee to
the contrary.

     Section 10. TRANSFER. No party hereto shall be entitled to assign or
otherwise transfer this Agreement (or any interest herein) other than (in the
case of the Escrow Agent) to a successor escrow agent under Section 1.7 hereof
or (in the case of the Paying Agent) to a successor paying agent under Section
2.5 hereof, and any purported assignment in violation thereof shall be void.
This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and (in the case of the Escrow Agent and the Paying Agent) their
respective permitted assigns.

     Section 11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth all of the
promises, covenants, agreements, conditions and understandings among the Escrow
Agent, the Paying Agent, the Underwriters and the Pass Through Trustee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous agreements and undertakings, inducements or conditions, express
or implied, oral or written.

     Section 12. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

     Section 13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL RIGHT. EACH OF THE ESCROW AGENT, THE
PAYING AGENT, THE INVESTORS AND THE PASS THROUGH TRUSTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND
ACCEPTS THAT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY.

                                       12
<PAGE>

     Section 14. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

                                       13
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Escrow Agent, the Paying Agent, the Underwriters
and the Pass Through Trustee have caused this Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement
(Class A-1) to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                       WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST,
                                       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                                       COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT,
                                       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not
                                       in its individual capacity,
                                       but solely as Pass Through
                                       Trustee for and on behalf
                                       of Northwest Airlines Pass
                                       Through Trust 2001-1A-1

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                                       COMPANY, as Paying Agent

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                       SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.,
                                       J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.,
                                       CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
                                       DUETSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC.,
                                       MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
                                       and U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY INC.,
                                       as Underwriters

                                       By:  SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

              Northwest Airlines 2001-1A-1 Escrow Receipt No. ____

     This Escrow Receipt evidences a fractional undivided interest in amounts
("Account Amounts") from time to time deposited into a certain paying agent
account (the "Paying Agent Account") described in the Escrow and Paying Agent
Agreement (Class A-1) dated as of June 1, 2001 (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the "Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement") among
Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association, a national banking
association, as Escrow Agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in
such capacity, the "Escrow Agent"), Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Duetsche Banc Alex.
Brown Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray
Inc., as Underwriters, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, as Pass Through Trustee (in such capacity, together with
its successors in such capacity, the "Pass Through Trustee") and State Street
Bank and Trust Company, as paying agent (in such capacity, together with its
successors in such capacity, the "Paying Agent"). Capitalized terms not defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Escrow and Paying Agent
Agreement.

     This Escrow Receipt is issued under and is subject to the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement. By virtue of its
acceptance hereof the holder of this Escrow Receipt assents and agrees to be
bound by the provisions of the Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement and this Escrow
Receipt.

     This Escrow Receipt represents a fractional undivided interest in amounts
deposited from time to time in the Paying Agent Account, and grants or
represents no rights, benefits or interests of any kind in respect of any assets
or property other than such amounts. This Escrow Receipt evidences the same
percentage interest in the Account Amounts as the Fractional Undivided Interest
in the Pass Through Trust evidenced by the Certificate to which this Escrow
Receipt is affixed.

     All payments and distributions made to Receiptholders in respect of the
Escrow Receipt shall be made only from Account Amounts deposited in the Paying
Agent Account. The holder of this Escrow Receipt, by its acceptance of this
Escrow Receipt, agrees that it will look solely to the Account Amounts for any
payment or distribution due to it pursuant to this Escrow Receipt and that it
will not have any recourse to Northwest, the Pass Through Trustee, the Paying
Agent or the Escrow Agent, except as expressly provided herein or in the Pass
Through Trust Agreement. No Receiptholder of this Escrow Receipt shall have any
right to vote or in any manner otherwise control the operation and management of
the Paying Agent Account, nor shall anything set forth herein, or contained in
the terms of this Escrow Receipt, be construed so as to constitute the
Receiptholders from time to time as partners or members of an association.

     This Escrow Receipt may not be assigned or transferred except in connection
with the assignment or transfer of the Certificate to which this Escrow Receipt
is affixed. After payment to the holder hereof of its Escrow Interest in the
Final Distribution, upon the request of the Pass Through Trustee, the holder
hereof will return this Escrow Receipt to the Pass Through Trustee.

<PAGE>

     The Paying Agent may treat the person in whose name the Certificate to
which this Escrow Receipt is attached as the owner hereof for all purposes, and
the Paying Agent shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

     THIS ESCROW RECEIPT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Escrow Agent has caused this Escrow Receipt to be
duly executed.

Dated:  June 1, 2001

                                       WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST,
                                       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                             Withdrawal Certificate
                                   (Class A-1)

Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association,
as Escrow Agent
79 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
Telecopier: (801) 246-5053

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement dated as of June
1, 2001 (the "Agreement"). We hereby certify to you that the conditions to the
obligations of the undersigned to execute a Participation Agreement pursuant to
the Note Purchase Agreement have been satisfied. Pursuant to Section 1.2(c) of
the Agreement, please execute the attached Notice of Purchase Withdrawal [and
Notice of Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal] and immediately transmit by
facsimile to the Depositary, at (312) 606-8428.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                                       COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT,
                                       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not
                                       in its individual capacity
                                       but solely as Pass Through
                                       Trustee

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

Dated:  _________, ____

<PAGE>

                          NOTICE OF PURCHASE WITHDRAWAL

ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch
135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 611
Chicago, IL  60674-9135
Attention:  Tom Peterson
Telecopier:  (312) 606-8428

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the Deposit Agreement (Class A-1) dated as of June 1,
2001 (the "Deposit Agreement") between Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National
Association, as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch, as
Depositary (the "Depositary").

     In accordance with Section 2.3(a)(iii) of the Deposit Agreement, the
undersigned hereby requests the withdrawal of $________ of the Deposit, Account
No. _______.

     The undersigned hereby directs the Depositary to pay the proceeds of the
Deposit to ________________, Account No. ___________, Reference: ___________ on
__________, _____, upon the telephonic request of a representative of the Pass
Through Trustee.

                                       WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST,
                                       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

Dated:  ___________, ____

<PAGE>

                   NOTICE OF SERIES D NON-ISSUANCE WITHDRAWAL

ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch
135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 611
Chicago, IL  60674-9135
Attention:  Tom Peterson
Telecopier:  (312) 606-8428

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the Deposit Agreement (Class A-1) dated as of June __,
2001 (the "Deposit Agreement") between Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National
Association, as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch, as
Depositary (the "Depositary").

     In accordance with Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the undersigned
hereby requests the withdrawal of the entire amount of each of the following
Deposits: Deposit Account No.[s] _______.

     With respect to each such Deposit, the undersigned hereby directs the
Depository to redeposit $[specify amount of each Deposit separately] as new
deposits pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Deposit Agreement.

     The undersigned hereby directs the Depository to pay on [specify payment
date] the balance of the above Deposits not to be redeposited pursuant to 2.4 of
the Deposit Agreement, together with accrued interest thereon to such date of
payment to the Paying Agent at [NAME] ABA #_____, Account #______, Attention:
__________, Reference: [Northwest Airlines 2001-1 EETC].

                                       WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST,
                                       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:<Page>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 4(f)(2)

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                        ESCROW AND PAYING AGENT AGREEMENT
                                   (Class A-2)

                            Dated as of June 1, 2001

                                      among

                WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                as Escrow Agent,

                            SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.

                           J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

                     CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION

                         DUETSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC.

                        MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

                                       AND

                         U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY INC.

                                as Underwriters,

               STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT,
                              NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                         not in its individual capacity,
                       but solely as Pass Through Trustee
                              for and on behalf of
                 Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2001-1A-2
                            as Pass Through Trustee,

                                       AND

                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

                                 as Paying Agent

<Page>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page

Section 1.  Escrow Agent.....................................................2

      Section 1.1 Appointment of Escrow Agent................................2

      Section 1.2 Instruction, Etc...........................................2

      Section 1.3 Initial Escrow Amount; Issuance of Escrow Receipts.........4

      Section 1.4 Payments to Receiptholders.................................4

      Section 1.5 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Escrow Receipt........4

      Section 1.6 Additional Escrow Amounts..................................5

      Section 1.7 Resignation or Removal of Escrow Agent.....................5

      Section 1.8 Persons Deemed Owners......................................5

      Section 1.9 Further Assurances.........................................6

Section 2.  Paying Agent.....................................................6

      Section 2.1 Appointment of Paying Agent................................6

      Section 2.2 Establishment of Paying Agent Account......................6

      Section 2.3 Payments from Paying Agent Account.........................6

      Section 2.4 Withholding Taxes..........................................7

      Section 2.5 Resignation or Removal of Paying Agent.....................8

      Section 2.6 Notice of Final Withdrawal.................................8

Section 3.  Payments.........................................................8

Section 4.  Other Actions....................................................9

Section 5.  Representations and Warranties of the Escrow Agent...............9

Section 6.  Representations and Warranties of the Paying Agent..............10

Section 7.  Indemnification.................................................11

Section 8.  Amendment, Etc..................................................11

                                       i
<Page>

                                                                           Page

Section 9.  Notices.........................................................12

Section 10. Transfer........................................................12

Section 11. Entire Agreement................................................12

Section 12. GOVERNING LAW...................................................12

Section 13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL RIGHT......................................12

Section 14. Counterparts....................................................13

                                       ii
<Page>

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A   Escrow Receipt
Exhibit B   Withdrawal Certificate

                                      iii
<Page>

            This ESCROW AND PAYING AGENT AGREEMENT (Class A-2) dated as of June
1, 2001 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, this
"Agreement") among Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association, a national
banking association, as Escrow Agent (in such capacity, together with its
successors in such capacity, the "Escrow Agent"), Salomon Smith Barney Inc.,
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Duetsche
Banc Alex. Brown Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and U.S. Bancorp Piper
Jaffray Inc., as Underwriters of the Certificates referred to below (the
"Underwriters" and together with their respective transferees and assigns as
registered owners of the Certificates, the "Investors") under the Underwriting
Agreement referred to below, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, a national banking association, not in its individual
capacity except as otherwise expressly provided herein, but solely as trustee
(in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the "Pass
Through Trustee") under the Pass Through Trust Agreement referred to below, and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, as paying agent hereunder (in such
capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the "Paying Agent").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

            WHEREAS, Northwest Airlines Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Guarantor"), Northwest Airlines, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Northwest")
and the Pass Through Trustee have entered into a Trust Supplement, dated as of
the date hereof (the "Trust Supplement"), to the Pass Through Trust Agreement,
dated as of June 3, 1999, by and among the Guarantor, Northwest and the Pass
Through Trustee , relating to Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2001-1A-2
(the "Pass Through Trust") pursuant to which the Northwest Airlines Pass Through
Trust, Series 2001-1A-2 Certificates referred to therein (the "Certificates")
are being issued;

            WHEREAS, Northwest and the Underwriters have entered into an
Underwriting Agreement dated May 22, 2001 (as amended, modified or supplemented
from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the "Underwriting
Agreement") pursuant to which the Pass Through Trustee will issue and sell the
Certificates to the Underwriters;

            WHEREAS, Northwest, the Pass Through Trustee, certain other pass
through trustees and certain other persons concurrently herewith are entering
into the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Note
Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the Pass Through Trustee has agreed to
acquire from time to time on or prior to the Delivery Period Termination Date
(as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) equipment notes (the "Equipment
Notes") issued to finance the acquisition of aircraft by Northwest, as lessee or
as owner, utilizing a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Certificates
(the "Net Proceeds");

            WHEREAS, the Underwriters and the Pass Through Trustee intend that
the Net Proceeds be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent on behalf of the
Investors, subject to withdrawal upon request by the Pass Through Trustee and
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement for the
purpose of purchasing Equipment Notes, and that pending such withdrawal the Net
Proceeds be deposited on behalf of the Escrow Agent with ABN AMRO Bank N.V.,
acting through a United States branch, as Depositary (the "Depositary") under
the Deposit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Depositary

<Page>

and the Escrow Agent relating to the Pass Through Trust (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the
"Deposit Agreement") pursuant to which, among other things, the Depositary will
pay interest for distribution to the Investors and establish accounts from which
the Escrow Agent shall make withdrawals upon request of and proper certification
by the Pass Through Trustee;

            WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent wishes to appoint the Paying Agent to pay
amounts required to be distributed to the Investors in accordance with this
Agreement; and

            WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have
the respective meanings set forth or incorporated by reference in the Pass
Through Trust Agreement.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the obligations contained
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

            Section 1. ESCROW AGENT.

            Section 1.1 APPOINTMENT OF ESCROW AGENT. Each of the Underwriters,
for and on behalf of each of the Investors, hereby irrevocably appoints,
authorizes and directs the Escrow Agent to act as escrow agent and fiduciary
hereunder and under the Deposit Agreement for such specific purposes and with
such powers as are specifically delegated to the Escrow Agent by the terms of
this Agreement, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Any and all money received and held by the Escrow Agent under this
Agreement or the Deposit Agreement shall be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement is irrevocable
and the Investors' rights with respect to any monies received and held in escrow
by the Escrow Agent under this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement shall only be
as provided under the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Deposit
Agreement. The Escrow Agent (which term as used in this sentence shall include
reference to its affiliates and its own and its affiliates' officers, directors,
employees and agents):

            (a) shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly
      set forth in this Agreement;

            (b) shall not be responsible to the Pass Through Trustee or the
      Investors for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties of
      any person other than itself contained in this Agreement or the Deposit
      Agreement or for the failure by the Pass Through Trustee, the Investors or
      any other person or entity (other than the Escrow Agent) to perform any of
      its obligations hereunder (whether or not the Escrow Agent shall have any
      knowledge thereof); and

            (c) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be
      taken by it hereunder or provided for herein or in connection herewith,
      except for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence (or simple
      negligence in connection with the handling of funds) or breach of its
      obligations hereunder.

            Section 1.2 INSTRUCTION, ETC. The Underwriters, for and on behalf of
each of the Investors, hereby irrevocably instruct the Escrow Agent, and the
Escrow Agent agrees: (a) to

                                       2
<Page>

enter into the Deposit Agreement and, if requested by the Company pursuant to
Section 5(a)(vi) of the Note Purchase Agreement, to enter into a Replacement
Deposit Agreement with the Replacement Depositary specified by the Company; (b)
to appoint the Paying Agent as provided in this Agreement; (c) upon receipt at
any time and from time to time prior to the Termination Date (as defined below)
of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (a "Withdrawal
Certificate") executed by the Pass Through Trustee, together with an attached
Notice of Purchase Withdrawal in substantially the form of Exhibit A to the
Deposit Agreement duly completed by the Pass Through Trustee (the "Applicable
Notice of Purchase Withdrawal" and the withdrawal to which it relates, a
"Purchase Withdrawal"), immediately to execute the Applicable Notice of Purchase
Withdrawal as Escrow Agent and transmit it to the Depositary by facsimile
transmission in accordance with the Deposit Agreement; provided that, upon the
request of the Pass Through Trustee after such transmission, the Escrow Agent
shall cancel such Applicable Notice of Purchase Withdrawal; (d) upon receipt of
a Withdrawal Certificate executed by the Pass Through Trustee, together with an
attached Notice of Replacement Withdrawal in substantially the form of Exhibit C
to the Deposit Agreement (a "Notice of Replacement Withdrawal") duly completed
by the Pass Through Trustee, to (X) give such Notice of Replacement Withdrawal
to the Depositary requesting a withdrawal, on the date specified in such notice,
which shall not be less than 15 days after such notice is given (the
"Replacement Withdrawal Date"), of all Deposits then held by the Depositary
together with, if the Replacement Withdrawal Date occurs on a Regular
Distribution Date, all accrued and unpaid interest on such Deposits to but
excluding the Replacement Withdrawal Date, and (Y) direct the Depositary to
transfer such Deposits on behalf of the Escrow Agent to the Replacement
Depositary in accordance with the Replacement Deposit Agreement; (e) upon
receipt at any time and from time to time of a Withdrawal Certificate executed
by the Pass Through Trustee, together with an attached Notice of Series D
Non-Issuance Withdrawal in substantially the form of Exhibit D to the Deposit
Agreement duly completed by the Pass Through Trustee (the "Applicable Notice of
Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal" and the withdrawal to which it relates, a
"Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal"), immediately to execute the Applicable
Notice of Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal as Escrow Agent and transmit it to
the Depositary by facsimile transmission in accordance with the Deposit
Agreement; provided that, upon the request of the Pass Through Trustee after
such transmission, the Escrow Agent shall cancel with Applicable Notice of
Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal; and (f) if there are any undrawn Deposits (as
defined in the Deposit Agreement) on the "Termination Date", which shall mean
the earlier of (i) March 31, 2003 and (ii) the day on which the Escrow Agent
receives notice from the Pass Through Trustee that the Pass Through Trustee's
obligation to purchase Equipment Notes under the Note Purchase Agreement has
terminated, to give notice to the Depositary (with a copy to the Paying Agent)
substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement requesting a
withdrawal of all of the remaining Deposits, together with accrued and unpaid
interest on such Deposits to the date of withdrawal, on the 15th day after the
date that such notice of withdrawal is given to the Depositary (or, if not a
Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) (a "Final Withdrawal"),
provided that if the day scheduled for the Final Withdrawal in accordance with
the foregoing is within ten (10) days before or after a Regular Distribution
Date, then the Escrow Agent shall request that such requested Final Withdrawal
be made on such Regular Distribution Date (the date of such requested
withdrawal, the "Final Withdrawal Date"). If for any reason the Escrow Agent
shall have failed to give the Final Withdrawal Notice to the Depositary on or

                                       3
<Page>

before March 31, 2003, and there are unwithdrawn Deposits on such date, the
Final Withdrawal Date shall be deemed to be April 15, 2003.

            Section 1.3 INITIAL ESCROW AMOUNT; ISSUANCE OF ESCROW RECEIPTS. The
Escrow Agent hereby directs the Underwriters to, and the Underwriters hereby
acknowledge that on the date hereof they shall, irrevocably deliver to the
Depositary on behalf of the Escrow Agent, an amount in U.S. dollars ("Dollars")
and immediately available funds equal to $156,613,000 for deposit on behalf of
the Escrow Agent with the Depositary in accordance with Section 2.1 of the
Deposit Agreement. The Underwriters hereby instruct the Escrow Agent, upon
receipt of such sum from the Underwriters, to confirm such receipt by executing
(by manual or facsimile signature) and delivering to the Pass Through Trustee an
Escrow Receipt in the form of Exhibit A hereto (an "Escrow Receipt"), (a) to be
affixed by the Pass Through Trustee to each Certificate and (b) to evidence the
same percentage interest ("Escrow Interest") in the Account Amounts (as defined
below) as the Fractional Undivided Interest in the Pass Through Trust evidenced
by the Certificate to which it is to be affixed. The Escrow Agent shall provide
to the Pass Through Trustee for attachment to each Certificate newly issued
under and in accordance with the Pass Through Trust Agreement an executed Escrow
Receipt as the Pass Through Trustee may from time to time request of the Escrow
Agent. Each Escrow Receipt shall be registered by the Escrow Agent in a register
(the "Register") maintained by the Escrow Agent in the same name and same manner
as the Certificate to which it is attached and may not thereafter be detached
from such Certificate to which it is to be affixed prior to the distribution of
the Final Withdrawal pursuant to clause (d) of Section 1.2 hereof (the "Final
Distribution"). After the Final Distribution, no additional Escrow Receipts
shall be issued and the Pass Through Trustee shall request the return to the
Escrow Agent for cancellation of all outstanding Escrow Receipts.

            Section 1.4 PAYMENTS TO RECEIPTHOLDERS. All payments and
distributions made to holders of an Escrow Receipt (collectively,
"Receiptholders") in respect of the Escrow Receipt shall be made only from
amounts deposited in the Paying Agent Account (as defined below) ("Account
Amounts"). Each Receiptholder, by its acceptance of an Escrow Receipt, agrees
that (a) it will look solely to the Account Amounts for any payment or
distribution due to such Receiptholder pursuant to the terms of the Escrow
Receipt and this Agreement and (b) it will have no recourse to Northwest, the
Pass Through Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Escrow Agent, except as expressly
provided herein or in the Pass Through Trust Agreement. No Receiptholder shall
have any right to vote or in any manner otherwise control the operation and
management of the Paying Agent Account or the obligations of the parties hereto,
nor shall anything set forth herein, or contained in the terms of the Escrow
Receipt, be construed so as to constitute the Receiptholders from time to time
as partners or members of an association.

            Section 1.5 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN ESCROW RECEIPT. If
(a) any mutilated Escrow Receipt is surrendered to the Escrow Agent or the
Escrow Agent receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or
theft of any Escrow Receipt and (b) there is delivered to the Escrow Agent and
the Pass Through Trustee such security, indemnity or bond, as may be required by
them to hold each of them harmless, then, absent notice to the Escrow Agent or
the Pass Through Trustee that such destroyed, lost or stolen Escrow Receipt has
been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, and provided that the requirements of
Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any applicable
jurisdiction are met, the Escrow Agent shall execute and deliver, in exchange
for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or

                                       4
<Page>

stolen Escrow Receipt, a new Escrow Receipt or Escrow Receipts and of like
Escrow Interest in the Account Amounts and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding.

            In connection with the issuance of any new Escrow Receipt under this
Section 1.5, the Escrow Agent may require the payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Pass
Through Trustee and the Escrow Agent) connected therewith.

            Any duplicate Escrow Receipt issued pursuant to this Section 1.5
shall constitute conclusive evidence of the appropriate Escrow Interest in the
Account Amounts, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or
destroyed Escrow Receipt shall be found at any time.

            The provisions of this Section 1.5 are exclusive and shall preclude
(to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the
replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Escrow Receipts.

            Section 1.6 ADDITIONAL ESCROW AMOUNTS. On the date of any Purchase
Withdrawal, the Pass Through Trustee may re-deposit with the Depositary some or
all of the amounts so withdrawn in accordance with Section 2.4 of the Deposit
Agreement.

            Section 1.7 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF ESCROW AGENT. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Escrow Agent as provided below, the
Escrow Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days' prior written
notice thereof to the Investors, but may not otherwise be removed except for
cause by the written consent of the Investors with respect to Investors
representing Escrow Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest
in the Account Amounts (an "Action of Investors"). Upon any such resignation or
removal, the Investors, by an Action of Investors, shall have the right to
appoint a successor Escrow Agent. If no successor Escrow Agent shall have been
so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days
after the retiring Escrow Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the removal
of the retiring Escrow Agent, then the retiring Escrow Agent may appoint a
successor Escrow Agent. Any successor Escrow Agent shall be a bank which has an
office in the United States with a combined capital and surplus of at least
$100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Escrow Agent hereunder
by a successor Escrow Agent, such successor Escrow Agent shall enter into such
documents as the Pass Through Trustee shall require and shall thereupon succeed
to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Escrow Agent, and the retiring Escrow Agent shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations hereunder. No resignation or removal of the Escrow
Agent shall be effective unless a written confirmation shall have been obtained
from each of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services, a Division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., that the replacement of
the Escrow Agent with the successor Escrow Agent will not result in (a) a
reduction of the rating for the Certificates below the then current rating for
the Certificates or (b) a withdrawal or suspension of the rating of the
Certificates.

            Section 1.8 PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. Prior to due presentment of a
Certificate for registration of transfer, the Escrow Agent and the Paying Agent
may treat the Person in whose name any Escrow Receipt is registered (as of the
day of determination) as the owner of such Escrow Receipt for the purpose of
receiving distributions pursuant to this Agreement and

                                       5
<Page>

for all other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Escrow Agent nor the Paying
Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

            Section 1.9 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Escrow Agent agrees to take such
actions, and execute such other documents, as may be reasonably requested by the
Pass Through Trustee in order to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement and
the performance by the Escrow Agent of its obligations hereunder.

            Section 2. PAYING AGENT.

            Section 2.1 APPOINTMENT OF PAYING AGENT. The Escrow Agent hereby
irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Paying Agent to act as its paying agent
hereunder, for the benefit of the Investors, for such specific purposes and with
such powers as are specifically delegated to the Paying Agent by the terms of
this Agreement, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Any and all money received and held by the Paying Agent under this
Agreement or the Deposit Agreement shall be held in the Paying Agent Account for
the benefit of the Investors. The Paying Agent (which term as used in this
sentence shall include reference to its affiliates and its own and its
affiliates' officers, directors, employees and agents):

            (a) shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly
set forth in this Agreement, and shall not by reason of this Agreement be a
trustee for the Escrow Agent;

            (b) shall not be responsible to the Escrow Agent for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties of any person other then itself
contained in this Agreement or for the failure by the Escrow Agent or any other
person or entity (other than the Paying Agent) to perform any of its obligations
hereunder (whether or not the Paying Agent shall have any knowledge thereof);
and

            (c) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by it hereunder or provided for herein or in connection herewith, except
for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence (or simple negligence in
connection with the handling of funds).

            Section 2.2 ESTABLISHMENT OF PAYING AGENT ACCOUNT. The Paying Agent
shall establish a deposit account (the "Paying Agent Account") at State Street
Bank and Trust Company in the name of the Escrow Agent. It is expressly
understood by the parties hereto that the Paying Agent is acting as the paying
agent of the Escrow Agent hereunder and that no amounts on deposit in the Paying
Agent Account constitute part of the Trust Property.

            Section 2.3 PAYMENTS FROM PAYING AGENT ACCOUNT. The Escrow Agent
hereby irrevocably instructs the Paying Agent, and the Paying Agent agrees to
act, as follows:

            (a) On each Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Deposit
Agreement) or as soon thereafter as the Paying Agent has confirmed receipt in
the Paying Agent Account from the Depositary of any amount in respect of accrued
interest on the Deposits, the Paying Agent shall distribute out of the Paying
Agent Account the entire amount deposited therein by the Depositary. There shall
be so distributed to each Receiptholder of record on the 15th day (whether or
not a Business Day) preceding such Interest Payment Date by check mailed to such
Receiptholder, at the address appearing in the Register, such Receiptholder's
pro rata share

                                       6
<Page>

(based on the Escrow Interest in the Account Amounts held by such Receiptholder)
of the total amount of interest deposited by the Depositary in the Paying Agent
Account on such date, except that, with respect to Escrow Receipts registered on
the Record Date in the name of The Depository Trust Company, a New York
corporation ("DTC"), such distribution shall be made by wire transfer in
immediately available funds to the account designated by DTC.

            (b) Upon the confirmation by the Paying Agent of receipt in the
Paying Agent Account from the Depositary of any amount in respect of the Final
Withdrawal or any Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, the Paying Agent shall
forthwith distribute the entire amount of the Final Withdrawal or such Series D
Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, deposited therein by the
Depositary. There shall be so distributed to each Receiptholder of record on the
15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding the Final Withdrawal Date or,
in the case of a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, on the date specified for
payment thereof by the Pass Through Trustee in the Applicable Notice of Series D
Non-Issuance Withdrawal by check mailed to such Receiptholder, at the address
appearing in the Register, such Receiptholder's pro rata share (based on the
Escrow Interest in the Account Amounts held by such Receiptholder) of the total
amount in the Paying Agent Account on account of such Final Withdrawal or such
Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, except that, with respect
to Escrow Receipts registered on the Record Date in the name of DTC, such
distribution shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to
the account designated by DTC.

            (c) If any payment of interest or principal in respect of the Final
Withdrawal or any Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal is not received by the Paying
Agent within five (5) days of the applicable date when due, then it shall be
distributed to Receiptholders after actual receipt by the Paying Agent on the
same basis as a Special Payment is distributed under the Pass Through Trust
Agreement.

            (d) The Paying Agent shall include with any check mailed pursuant to
this Section any notice required to be distributed under the Pass Through Trust
Agreement that is furnished to the Paying Agent by the Pass Through Trustee.

            Section 2.4 WITHHOLDING TAXES. The Paying Agent shall exclude and
withhold from each distribution of accrued interest on the Deposits (as defined
in the Deposit Agreement) and any amount in respect of the Final Withdrawal or
any Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal any and all withholding taxes applicable
thereto as required by law. The Paying Agent agrees to act as such withholding
agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any present or future taxes or
similar charges are required to be withheld with respect to any amounts payable
in respect of the Deposits (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) or the escrow
amounts, to withhold such amounts and timely pay the same to the appropriate
authority in the name of and on behalf of the Receiptholders, that it will file
any necessary withholding tax returns or statements when due, and that, as
promptly as possible after the payment thereof, it will deliver to each such
Receiptholder appropriate documentation showing the payment thereof, together
with such additional documentary evidence as such Receiptholder may reasonably
request from time to time. The Paying Agent agrees to file any other information
reports as it may be required to file under United States law.

                                       7
<Page>

            Section 2.5 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF PAYING AGENT. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Paying Agent as provided below, the
Paying Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days' prior written
notice thereof to the Escrow Agent, but may not otherwise be removed except for
cause by the Escrow Agent. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Escrow
Agent shall have the right to appoint a successor Paying Agent. If no successor
Paying Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such
appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Paying Agent's giving of
notice of resignation or the removal of the retiring Paying Agent, then the
retiring Paying Agent may appoint a successor Paying Agent. Any Successor Paying
Agent shall be a bank which has an office in the United States with a combined
capital and surplus of at least US$100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Paying Agent hereunder by a successor Paying Agent, such
successor Paying Agent shall enter into such documents as the Escrow Agent shall
require and shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights,
powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Paying Agent, and the retiring
Paying Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.

            Section 2.6 NOTICE OF FINAL WITHDRAWAL. Promptly after receipt by
the Paying Agent of notice that the Escrow Agent has requested a Final
Withdrawal or a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal or that a Final Withdrawal will
be made, the Paying Agent shall cause notice of the distribution of the Final
Withdrawal or a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, to be
mailed to each of the Receiptholders at its address as it appears in the
Register. Such notice shall be mailed not less than fifteen (15) days prior to
the Final Withdrawal Date or date of payment of such Series D Non-Issuance
Withdrawal, as the case may be. Such notice shall set forth:

            (a) the Final Withdrawal Date or date of payment of such Series D
      Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, and the date for determining
      Receiptholders of record who shall be entitled to receive distributions in
      respect of the Final Withdrawal or a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal;

            (b) the amount of the payment in respect of the Final Withdrawal or
      a Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal for each $1,000 face amount Certificate
      (based on information provided by the Pass Through Trustee) and the amount
      thereof constituting unused Deposits (as defined in the Deposit Agreement)
      and interest thereon; and

            (c) if the Final Withdrawal Date or date of payment of such Series D
      Non-Issuance Withdrawal, as the case may be, is the same date as a Regular
      Distribution Date, the total amount to be received on such date for each
      $1,000 face amount Certificate (based on information provided by the Pass
      Through Trustee).

            Such mailing may include any notice required to be given to
Certificateholders in connection with such distribution pursuant to the Pass
Through Trust Agreement.

            Section 3. PAYMENTS. If, notwithstanding the instructions in Article
IV of the Deposit Agreement that all amounts payable to the Escrow Agent under
the Deposit Agreement be paid by the Depositary directly to the Paying Agent or
the Pass Through Trustee (depending on the circumstances), the Escrow Agent
receives any payment thereunder, then the Escrow

                                       8
<Page>

Agent shall forthwith pay such amount in Dollars and in immediately available
funds by wire transfer to (a) in the case of a payment of accrued interest on
the Deposits (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) or any Final Withdrawal or
any Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal directly to the Paying Agent Account and
(b) in the case of any Purchase Withdrawal, directly to the Pass Through Trustee
or its designee as specified and in the manner provided in the Applicable Notice
of Purchase Withdrawal. The Escrow Agent hereby waives any and all rights of
set-off, combination of accounts, right of retention or similar right (whether
arising under applicable law, contract or otherwise) it may have against amounts
payable to the Paying Agent howsoever arising.

            Section 4. OTHER ACTIONS. The Escrow Agent shall take such other
actions under or in respect of the Deposit Agreement (including, without
limitation, the enforcement of the obligations of the Depositary thereunder) as
the Investors, by an Action of Investors, may from time to time request.

            Section 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ESCROW AGENT. The
Escrow Agent represents and warrants to Northwest, the Investors, the Paying
Agent and the Pass Through Trustee as follows:

            (a) it is a national banking association duly organized and validly
      existing in good standing under the laws of the United States of America;

            (b) it has full power, authority and legal right to conduct its
      business and operations as currently conducted and to enter into and
      perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement;

            (c) the execution, delivery and performance of each of this
      Agreement and the Deposit Agreement have been duly authorized by all
      necessary corporate action on the part of it and do not require any
      stockholder approval, or approval or consent of any trustee or holder of
      any indebtedness or obligations of it, and each such document has been
      duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and
      binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with the terms
      hereof or thereof except as such enforceability may be limited by
      bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws
      or equitable principles of general application to or affecting the
      enforcement of creditors' rights generally (regardless of whether such
      enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

            (d) no authorization, consent or approval of or other action by, and
      no notice to or filing with, any United States federal or state
      governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the execution,
      delivery or performance by it of this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement;

            (e) neither the execution, delivery or performance by it of this
      Agreement or the Deposit Agreement, nor compliance with the terms and
      provisions hereof or thereof, conflicts or will conflict with or results
      or will result in a breach or violation of any of the terms, conditions or
      provisions of, or will require any consent or approval under, any law,
      governmental rule or regulation or the charter documents, as amended, or
      bylaws, as

                                       9
<Page>

      amended, of it or any similar instrument binding on it or any order, writ,
      injunction or decree of any court or governmental authority against it or
      by which it or any of its properties is bound or any indenture, mortgage
      or contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
      which it or any of its properties is bound, or constitutes or will
      constitute a default thereunder or results or will result in the
      imposition of any lien upon any of its properties; and

            (f) there are no pending or, to its knowledge, threatened actions,
      suits, investigations or proceedings (whether or not purportedly on behalf
      of it) against or affecting it or any of its property before or by any
      court or administrative agency which, if adversely determined, (A) would
      adversely affect the ability of it to perform its obligations under this
      Agreement or the Deposit Agreement or (B) would call into question or
      challenge the validity of this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement or the
      enforceability hereof or thereof in accordance with the terms hereof or
      thereof, nor is the Escrow Agent in default with respect to any order of
      any court, governmental authority, arbitration board or administrative
      agency so as to adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations
      under this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement.

            Section 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PAYING AGENT. The
Paying Agent represents and warrants to Northwest, the Investors, the Escrow
Agent and the Pass Through Trustee as follows:

            (a) it is a trust company duly organized and validly existing in
      good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

            (b) it has full power, authority and legal right to conduct its
      business and operations as currently conducted and to enter into and
      perform its obligations under this Agreement;

            (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has
      been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of it
      and does not require any stockholder approval, or approval or consent of
      any trustee or holder of any indebtedness or obligations of it, and such
      document has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its
      legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance
      with the terms hereof except as such enforceability may be limited by
      bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws
      or equitable principles of general application to or affecting the
      enforcement of creditors' rights generally (regardless of whether such
      enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

            (d) no authorization, consent or approval of or other action by, and
      no notice to or filing with, any United States federal or state
      governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the execution,
      delivery or performance by it of this Agreement;

            (e) neither the execution, delivery or performance by it of this
      Agreement, nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof, conflicts
      or will conflict with or results or will result in a breach or violation
      of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or

                                       10
<Page>

      will require any consent or approval under, any law, governmental rule or
      regulation or the charter documents, as amended, or bylaws, as amended, of
      it or any similar instrument binding on it or any order, writ, injunction
      or decree of any court or governmental authority against it or by which it
      or any of its properties is bound or any indenture, mortgage or contract
      or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or
      any of its properties is bound, or constitutes or will constitute a
      default thereunder or results or will result in the imposition of any lien
      upon any of its properties; and

            (f) there are no pending or, to its knowledge, threatened actions,
      suits, investigations or proceedings (whether or not purportedly on behalf
      of it) against or affecting it or any of its property before or by any
      court or administrative agency which, if adversely determined, (A) would
      adversely affect the ability of it to perform its obligations under this
      Agreement or (B) would call into question or challenge the validity of
      this Agreement or the enforceability hereof in accordance with the terms
      hereof, nor is the Paying Agent in default with respect to any order of
      any court, governmental authority, arbitration board or administrative
      agency so as to adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations
      under this Agreement.

            Section 7. INDEMNIFICATION. Except for actions expressly required of
the Escrow Agent or the Paying Agent hereunder, each of the Escrow Agent and the
Paying Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act
hereunder unless it shall have been indemnified by the party requesting such
action in a manner reasonably satisfactory to it against any and all liability
and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to
take any such action. In the event Northwest requests any amendment to any
Operative Document (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), the Pass Through
Trustee agrees to pay all reasonable fees and expenses (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel) of the Escrow Agent and the
Paying Agent in connection therewith.

            Section 8. AMENDMENT, ETC. Upon request of the Pass Through Trustee
and approval by an Action of Investors, the Escrow Agent shall enter into an
amendment to this Agreement, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect
the rights or obligations of the Escrow Agent or the Paying Agent, provided that
upon request of the Pass Through Trustee and without any consent of the
Investors, the Escrow Agent shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement for
any of the following purposes:

            (a) to correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement which
      may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or to
      cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake or to modify any other provision
      with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement,
      provided that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the
      interests of the Investors; or

            (b) to comply with any requirement of the SEC, applicable law, rules
      or regulations of any exchange or quotation system on which the
      Certificates are listed or any regulatory body; or

                                       11
<Page>

            (c) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under
      this Agreement of a successor Escrow Agent, successor Paying Agent or
      successor Pass Through Trustee.

            Section 9. NOTICES. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any
notice or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing
(including by facsimile) and shall be deemed to be given and effective upon
receipt thereof (or, if received outside of business hours, on the next opening
of business on a Business Day). All notices shall be sent to (a) in the case of
the Investors, as their respective addresses shall appear in the Register, (b)
in the case of the Escrow Agent, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National
Association, 79 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, Attention:
Corporate Trust Services (Telecopier: (801) 246-5053), (c) in the case of the
Pass Through Trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut
06103, Attention: Corporate/Muni Department (Telecopier: (860) 244-1889) or (d)
in the case of the Paying Agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Avenue
de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111, Attention: Corporate Trust Department
(Telecopier: (617) 988-9514), in each case with a copy to Northwest Airlines,
Inc., Department A4010, 5101 Northwest Drive, St. Paul, MN 55111-3034,
Attention: Treasurer (Telecopier: (612) 726-0665) (or at such other address as
any such party may specify from time to time in a written notice to the other
parties). On or prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Pass Through
Trustee has delivered to the Escrow Agent a certificate containing specimen
signatures of the representatives of the Pass Through Trustee who are authorized
to give notices and instructions with respect to this Agreement. The Escrow
Agent may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Escrow Agent receives
written notice from the Pass Through Trustee to the contrary.

            Section 10. TRANSFER. No party hereto shall be entitled to assign or
otherwise transfer this Agreement (or any interest herein) other than (in the
case of the Escrow Agent) to a successor escrow agent under Section 1.7 hereof
or (in the case of the Paying Agent) to a successor paying agent under Section
2.5 hereof, and any purported assignment in violation thereof shall be void.
This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and (in the case of the Escrow Agent and the Paying Agent) their
respective permitted assigns.

            Section 11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth all of the
promises, covenants, agreements, conditions and understandings among the Escrow
Agent, the Paying Agent, the Underwriters and the Pass Through Trustee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous agreements and undertakings, inducements or conditions, express
or implied, oral or written.

            Section 12. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

            Section 13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL RIGHT. EACH OF THE ESCROW AGENT,
THE PAYING AGENT, THE INVESTORS AND THE PASS THROUGH TRUSTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND
ACCEPTS THAT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY.

                                       12
<Page>

            Section 14. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

                                       13
<Page>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Escrow Agent, the Paying Agent, the
Underwriters and the Pass Through Trustee have caused this Escrow and Paying
Agent Agreement (Class A-2) to be duly executed as of the day and year first
above written.

                                    WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST, NATIONAL
                                    ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                    By:_______________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                    STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF
                                    CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in
                                    its individual capacity, but solely as Pass
                                    Through Trustee for and on behalf of
                                    Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust
                                    2001-1A-2

                                    By:_______________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                    STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                                    COMPANY, as Paying Agent

                                    By:_______________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       14
<Page>

                                 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.,
                                 J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.,
                                 CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
                                 DUETSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN INC.,
                                 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
                                 and U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY INC.,
                                 as Underwriters

                                 By:  SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.

                                 By:_______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                       15
<Page>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

              Northwest Airlines 2001-1A-2 Escrow Receipt No. ____

            This Escrow Receipt evidences a fractional undivided interest in
amounts ("Account Amounts") from time to time deposited into a certain paying
agent account (the "Paying Agent Account") described in the Escrow and Paying
Agent Agreement (Class A-2) dated as of June 1, 2001 (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the "Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement") among
Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association, a national banking
association, as Escrow Agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in
such capacity, the "Escrow Agent"), Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Duetsche Banc Alex.
Brown Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray
Inc., as Underwriters, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, as Pass Through Trustee (in such capacity, together with
its successors in such capacity, the "Pass Through Trustee") and State Street
Bank and Trust Company, as paying agent (in such capacity, together with its
successors in such capacity, the "Paying Agent"). Capitalized terms not defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Escrow and Paying Agent
Agreement.

            This Escrow Receipt is issued under and is subject to the terms,
provisions and conditions of the Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement. By virtue of
its acceptance hereof the holder of this Escrow Receipt assents and agrees to be
bound by the provisions of the Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement and this Escrow
Receipt.

            This Escrow Receipt represents a fractional undivided interest in
amounts deposited from time to time in the Paying Agent Account, and grants or
represents no rights, benefits or interests of any kind in respect of any assets
or property other than such amounts. This Escrow Receipt evidences the same
percentage interest in the Account Amounts as the Fractional Undivided Interest
in the Pass Through Trust evidenced by the Certificate to which this Escrow
Receipt is affixed.

            All payments and distributions made to Receiptholders in respect of
the Escrow Receipt shall be made only from Account Amounts deposited in the
Paying Agent Account. The holder of this Escrow Receipt, by its acceptance of
this Escrow Receipt, agrees that it will look solely to the Account Amounts for
any payment or distribution due to it pursuant to this Escrow Receipt and that
it will not have any recourse to Northwest, the Pass Through Trustee, the Paying
Agent or the Escrow Agent, except as expressly provided herein or in the Pass
Through Trust Agreement. No Receiptholder of this Escrow Receipt shall have any
right to vote or in any manner otherwise control the operation and management of
the Paying Agent Account, nor shall anything set forth herein, or contained in
the terms of this Escrow Receipt, be construed so as to constitute the
Receiptholders from time to time as partners or members of an association.

            This Escrow Receipt may not be assigned or transferred except in
connection with the assignment or transfer of the Certificate to which this
Escrow Receipt is affixed. After payment to the holder hereof of its Escrow
Interest in the Final Distribution, upon the request of the Pass Through
Trustee, the holder hereof will return this Escrow Receipt to the Pass Through
Trustee.

<Page>

            The Paying Agent may treat the person in whose name the Certificate
to which this Escrow Receipt is attached as the owner hereof for all purposes,
and the Paying Agent shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

            THIS ESCROW RECEIPT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Escrow Agent has caused this Escrow Receipt
to be duly executed.

Dated:  June 1, 2001

                                    WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST, NATIONAL
                                    ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                    By:_______________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       2
<Page>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                             Withdrawal Certificate
                                   (Class A-2)

Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association,
as Escrow Agent
79 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
Telecopier: (801) 246-5053

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            Reference is made to the Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement dated as
of June 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"). We hereby certify to you that the conditions
to the obligations of the undersigned to execute a Participation Agreement
pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement have been satisfied. Pursuant to Section
1.2(c) of the Agreement, please execute the attached Notice of Purchase
Withdrawal [and Notice of Series D Non-Issuance Withdrawal] and immediately
transmit by facsimile to the Depositary, at (312) 606-8428.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF
                                    CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in
                                    its individual capacity but solely as Pass
                                    Through Trustee

                                    By:_______________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

Dated:  _________, ____

<Page>

                          NOTICE OF PURCHASE WITHDRAWAL

ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch
135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 611
Chicago, IL  60674-9135
Attention:  Tom Peterson
Telecopier:  (312) 606-8428

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            Reference is made to the Deposit Agreement (Class A-2) dated as of
June 1, 2001 (the "Deposit Agreement") between Wells Fargo Bank Northwest,
National Association, as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch,
as Depositary (the "Depositary").

            In accordance with Section 2.3(a)(iii) of the Deposit Agreement, the
undersigned hereby requests the withdrawal of $________ of the Deposit, Account
No. _______.

            The undersigned hereby directs the Depositary to pay the proceeds of
the Deposit to ________________, Account No. ___________, Reference: ___________
on __________, _____, upon the telephonic request of a representative of the
Pass Through Trustee.

                                    WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST, NATIONAL
                                    ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                    By:_________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

Dated:  ___________, ____

<Page>

                   NOTICE OF SERIES D NON-ISSUANCE WITHDRAWAL

ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch
135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 611
Chicago, IL  60674-9135
Attention:  Tom Peterson
Telecopier:  (312) 606-8428

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            Reference is made to the Deposit Agreement (Class A-2) dated as of
June __, 2001 (the "Deposit Agreement") between Wells Fargo Bank Northwest,
National Association, as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch,
as Depositary (the "Depositary").

            In accordance with Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the
undersigned hereby requests the withdrawal of the entire amount of each of the
following Deposits: Deposit Account No.[s] _______. -------

            With respect to each such Deposit, the undersigned hereby directs
the Depository to redeposit $[specify amount of each Deposit separately] as new
deposits pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Deposit Agreement.

The undersigned hereby directs the Depository to pay on [specify payment date]
the balance of the above Deposits not to be redeposited pursuant to 2.4 of the
Deposit Agreement, together with accrued interest thereon to such date of
payment to the Paying Agent at [NAME] ABA #_____, Account #______, Attention:
__________, Reference: [Northwest Airlines 2001-1 EETC].

                                    WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST, NATIONAL
                                    ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

                                    By:_______________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

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