According to a report in today's Washington Post, merger discussions between American Airlines and Northwest Airlines have picked up significantly in recent days. American has reportedly offered to pay Northwest 3.7 billion dollars or 44 dollars a share to take over the airline. Northwest is reportedly asking for at least 65 dollars a share. The deal would also include Delta Airlines who would buy Northwest's 14 percent share of Continental Airlines. Ernest Arvai (ARE vee) is an airline analyst with the Arvai Group.