The proposed merger of Delta and Northwest airlines will likely mean few changes for travelers boarding airplanes at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, experts said.

Creation of the world's largest airline won't mean higher fares or a bounty of bargains. And a more delightful flying experience isn't in the cards no matter who is dealing them.

Who is running the business may change, but for customers it should be business as usual, said airline consultant Michael Boyd.

"For folks living in Atlanta, there is zero downside," said the Colorado-based analyst.

In fact, combining the airlines "will give Atlanta additional access to the rest of the world," said Boyd.

The strong presence of AirTran Airways, which has more than 260 flights a day out of its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson, will keep the new airline from jacking up fares, said George Hobica, founder of the Web site AirfareWatchdog.com.

Consolidation may make it easier to pass along fees such as the one for a second checked bag recently announced by United Airlines, Hobica said.

Pauline Frommer, creator of a series of travel guidebooks, said she would expect the cost of flying to go up.

"Prices always go up when there's less competition and down when there's more," she wrote in response to an e-mail question.

"There also could be a downturn in service," wrote Frommer. "Combining two monoliths like Delta and Northwest is going to wreak havoc in the lives of their employees. There will be seniority issues, there will likely be people let go, and there will be two corporate cultures merging. It's not a pretty picture."

Don't expect service and in-flight amenities to be upgraded in the wake of a merger, said Hobica.

If there are savings from combining administrative operations of the two airlines, Hobica said, "they will apply that to the bottom line. They are not going to start putting more olives in the martinis."