NWAC Northwest Airlines (MM)

Northwest Airlines to Serve Miller Lite Wisconsin's Largest Airline Makes Milwaukee Company's Product Its Official Light Beer on 2,800 Flights Throughout the U.S. and Around the World MILWAUKEE, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ:NWAC) and Miller Brewing Company today announced that Northwest, the fourth largest airline in the world and Wisconsin's largest airline, has selected Milwaukee's own Miller Lite as its light beer selection on its flights throughout the world. "As Milwaukee's longest-serving airline, we are proud to offer one of the city's best-known products, made by one of Milwaukee's most respected companies, to our customers around the world," said Jim Cron, vice president of domestic revenue management at Northwest Airlines during a news conference held at the MillerTime Pub in downtown Milwaukee today. "Northwest customers wishing to enjoy a light beer on flights throughout our global network will have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of Milwaukee with Miller Lite." Miller Lite will be served aboard Northwest and Northwest Airlink-operated flights with beverage service beginning this month and phased in on all flights over the next several weeks. Northwest and Northwest Airlink offer beverage service on approximately 2,800 of the 3,012 flights they operate worldwide to 247 cities in 23 countries. The airline is expected to purchase more than 700,000 cans annually to be served aboard its fleet of 659 aircraft, ranging in size from domestic route Saab 340s seating 30 customers, to international service Boeing 747-400s seating 403 customers. In 2004, Northwest and its Northwest Airlink partners, Mesaba Airlines and Pinnacle Airlines, carried a total of more than 67 million passengers. "All of us at Miller are very excited about Northwest's decision to offer Miller Lite to its passengers," said Joe Jones, Miller general manager of sales for Wisconsin and Minnesota. "As America's oldest major brewer, we're celebrating our 150th anniversary this year. Now, adult passengers on Northwest can join us in toasting this historic milestone." Northwest offers complimentary beer, wine, specialty drinks, spirits, liqueurs and soft drinks in domestic first class as well as in World Business Class and coach class on international flights. Beer is available for sale on most domestic coach class flights for a nominal fee. For the first time in the last 15 years, Miller Brewing Company grew overall market share in 2004 on the heels of its flagship brand Miller Lite, which grew 12.5 percent, according to Beer Marketer's Insights. NORTHWEST IS MILWAUKEE'S LONGEST-SERVING AIRLINE Northwest's Milwaukee service began on July 5, 1927, and the airline has been serving Wisconsin's largest city longer than any other carrier. Today, Northwest is Milwaukee's largest international airline and largest major airline. When its most recently announced flight expansion begins on June 9, Northwest will offer up to 38 all-jet flights a day to 13 nonstop destinations from General Mitchell International Airport, making Milwaukee Northwest's fifth largest operation in the U.S. Northwest and its Northwest Airlink partners carry more Wisconsin travelers than any other airline. The airline serves a total of eight cities including Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Rhinelander and Wausau. Northwest is the number one airline in seven of those eight cities. ABOUT MILLER BREWING COMPANY Milwaukee-based Miller Brewing Company is the oldest major brewer in America, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2005. Miller is a wholly owned subsidiary of SABMiller plc, one of the world's largest brewers. Miller's principal beer brands are Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft and Miller High Life. The company imports Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Foster's and has craft brews Leinenkugel's and Henry Weinhard's. Its portfolio of brands also includes Milwaukee's Best and Sharp's, a non-alcohol brew. Miller produces Icehouse from the Plank Road Brewery, a small division of Miller; Olde English 800; and Mickey's Malt Liquor. More information about Miller Brewing Company is available at the company's corporate web site, http://www.millerbrewing.com/ . ABOUT NORTHWEST AIRLINES Northwest Airlines is the world's fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,600 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world's most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents. DATASOURCE: Northwest Airlines CONTACT: Northwest Media Relations, +1-612-726-2331, Miller Brewing Company Media Relations, +1-414-931-3848 Web site: http://www.nwa.com/ http://www.millerbrewingcompany.com/

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