Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines Kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Flight of Pink Plane

Northwest Airlines (NYSE: NWA) today joined Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) to kick off a month long effort to raise money and awareness for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Delta’s signature Pink Plane brought 80 Northwest and Delta flight attendants - all affected by breast cancer - to the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport from LaGuardia. They were joined by BCRF President Myra J. Biblowit.

"All of us at The Breast Cancer Research Foundation are so grateful for the tremendous support from Northwest and Delta, which helps us advance our mission of prevention and a cure in our lifetime,” said Biblowit. "We believe that research saves lives, and the Pink Plane brings global attention to our cause and moves us forward.”

The celebration included cookies and cheesecake, pink lemonade and memorabilia available for sale to help fund breast cancer research. Tours of the pink plane were also available to employees and members of the media.

Northwest Airlines has a long history of supporting various cancer support and research efforts such as the American Cancer Society, most notably through its AirCares program of providing miles. This is the first time Northwest Airlines is joining the Delta effort. Northwest employees will be able to purchase pink lemonade in their break-rooms, with all donations benefiting BCRF.

"This is Northwest's first opportunity to participate with Delta on behalf of breast cancer research - and the excitement, and support here at Northwest has been truly overwhelming,” said Julie Showers, senior vice president Inflight services, Northwest Airlines. "For the first time, Northwest and Delta employees are working together – but not down the aisle of an airplane, or at reservations, or at the gate, or in the maintenance hangar – but for a cause universal to all."

"During the month of October, nearly 50,000 Delta employees worldwide will be joined by a force of Northwest employees in the quest to raise awareness and funds in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF),” said Joanne Smith, senior vice president of In-Flight Service and Onboard Product. "We are pleased that Northwest employees are joining us in an effort that has long been a passion of Delta people and represents our commitment to our employees and their causes."

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, both Northwest and Delta will sell pink lemonade on all flights for $2 per glass. Proceeds benefit BCRF.

Delta’s pink and white Boeing 757 first took flight in 2005. Since then, nearly $1 million has been raised for BCRF through donations from customers, employees and The Delta Foundation. The aircraft has flown more than 10,000 miles throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean to generate awareness for the cause and features BCRF's trademarked pink ribbon logo on the tail of the aircraft and adjacent to the boarding door.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation^®

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation^® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. The Foundation supports scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will lead to prevention and a cure in our lifetime. A minimum of 85 cents of each Dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. In October 2008, nearly $35 million will be awarded to 166 scientists across the United States and in Australia, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe. And for the seventh consecutive year, BCRF received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, four stars, thus outperforming over 99% of the evaluated charities, while the American Institute of Philanthropy has awarded BCRF its highest possible rating of A+. BCRF is the only breast cancer organization in the U.S. to receive these accolades. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 287 destinations in 58 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 42 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 315 weekly flights to 43 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 500 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.

Northwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam. Northwest, with its regional partners, operates approximately 2,400 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 1,000 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.