Northwest was fairing better than most U.S. majors but was still flying in turbulent skies in 2002. This would change as it entered bankruptcy 3 years later, emerging in 2007. The airline completed a 3 way alliance with Continental (and a minority stake) and Delta. This alliance would survive until until the 2008 merger announcement with Delta. In 2003, the carrier introduced a new lower cost to maintain livery, its first image change since 1989.