Northwest Airlines has announced that it has ordered 18 Boeing 787 twinjet airliners to support the
carrier’s long-term fleet renewal program. Initial deliveries of the 787 will begin in August 2008. Northwest also
holds options and purchase rights for an additional 50 aircraft.Northwest will be the first North American carrier to put the 787
“Dreamliner” into revenue service.

“We believe that the Boeing 787 provides Northwest Airlines with a new-
generation, long-range aircraft that will allow us to tailor our growing
international route system to best address our customers’ travel needs,”
said Doug Steenland, Northwest Airlines president and chief executive
officer.

“This order is part of Northwest’s strategic plan to invest for the long
term. With a strong global route system, unconstrained hubs that allow for
future growth, one of the industry’s strongest airline alliance groupings
and a dedicated work force, Northwest is well positioned for long-term
success, once we align our costs with anticipated revenues,” Steenland
added.

Northwest’s 787s will carry 36 passengers in World Business Class and 185
customers in coach class and will have a non-stop range of up to 8,500
nautical miles (15,700 kilometers).

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is designed with passengers, airlines, investors
and the environment in mind. The technologically advanced airplane will
use 20 percent less fuel than today’s airplanes of comparable size,
provide airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo capacity, and present
passengers with innovations including a new interior environment with
higher humidity, wider seats and aisles, larger windows, and other
conveniences.

Northwest’s current long-haul international fleet includes 31 modern
Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The airline was the launch customer of the
Boeing 747-400, and today operates a fleet of 16 of the wide-body aircraft.

Northwest also operates 15 Airbus A330 aircraft, including eight -300s and
seven -200s. Northwest was the first U.S. airline to operate the A330-200.
Northwest has an additional 17 A330s on order, including nine from an
order for 24 A330s placed by the airline in January of 2001, and eight
from a second order placed in January of this year.

All of Northwest’s Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A330 aircraft are equipped
with the airline’s lie-flat World Business Class seats, which offer 176
degrees of recline, more degrees of recline than any other U.S. airline’s
competing product, as well as an array of innovative comforts and features
including a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system.

“The Boeing 787 and 747-400, along with the Airbus A330, will allow
Northwest to continue to offer a convenient schedule to key Asia/Pacific
and European destinations while realizing the economics of a
fuel-efficient international fleet,” Steenland concluded.
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