Northeast Airlines began as Boston-Maine Airways, founded in 1931. It flew only abortively until August 1933, when it began contract service for National Airways. The name Northeast Airlines was adopted in 1940.
After World War II the airline applied for authorization to operate passenger service across the Atlantic but were stymied by the Civil Aeronautics Board, which awarded the routes to Pan American World Airways and TWA.
Despite a modern fleet, Northeast remained at a disadvantage against larger competitors such as Eastern Airlines. By the early 1970s Northeast’s financial condition was such that they sought a merger or a sale. In 972 Northeast merged with Delta Air Lines.
Source: Wikipedia