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Delta Air Lines and Midwest Airlines Announce Expanded Alliance

Posted on: Monday, 9 March 2009, 07:00 CDT

ATLANTA and MILWAUKEE, March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Midwest Airlines today announced a multi-faceted alliance agreement that will include reciprocity between the two airlines' frequent flyer programs, new joint marketing efforts and expanded access to airport lounges throughout North America.

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The agreement extends Midwest's long-standing marketing agreement with Northwest Airlines to the new Delta Air Lines, which acquired Northwest last year. Under the new agreement, Midwest and Delta frequent flyers will be able to earn or redeem frequent flyer miles on either airline's network through the Delta SkyMiles, Northwest WorldPerks and Midwest Miles programs. The addition of Delta's route system to the previously available Northwest network increases to 379 the number of frequent flyer destinations available to Midwest customers.

It is expected that the new codeshare arrangement will go into effect in June 2009, while the frequent flyer portion of the agreement will go into effect later this year.

As part of the agreement, both airlines have agreed to engage in expanded marketing and advertising campaigns to promote the new alliance with their frequent flyers. It will also expand the existing Midwest-Northwest airport club membership agreement to include Delta Sky Clubs in the near future.

"This alliance with Delta, the world's largest airline, brings tremendous added value to our customers," said Timothy E. Hoeksema, Midwest chairman and chief executive officer. "Midwest customers now have access to the world's most extensive flight network, a worldwide alliance of airline partners and other valuable benefits of being associated with the power of the Delta brand."

"Expanding our alliance relationships to include Midwest Airlines is another customer benefit created by Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines," said Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer. "Delta and Midwest make natural alliance partners given both airlines' focus on delivering excellent service and a quality product. Midwest customers are known as some of the most loyal in the industry and we look forward to welcoming them and earning their trust onboard Delta flights from Milwaukee to Madrid to Manila."

Midwest's existing codeshare agreement with Northwest Airlines will be phased out and replaced with the new Delta agreement. Both Delta and Northwest will be using the Midwest code on flights they operate on mutually agreed flights and city pairs. The Delta and Northwest codes will not be available for use by Midwest on the flights it operates.

About Midwest

Midwest Airlines features jet service throughout the United States, including Milwaukee's most daily nonstop flights and best schedule to major destinations. Catering to business travelers and discerning leisure travelers, the airline earned its reputation as "The best care in the air" by providing passengers with impeccable service and onboard amenities at competitive fares. More information is available at midwestairlines.com.

About Delta

Delta Air Lines is the world's largest airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 379 destinations in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta's more than 70,000 employees worldwide are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and

flight status at delta.com.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

Source: PR Newswire

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