Continental Airlines
Founded in 1931 as Varney Speed Lines, Continental Airlines has been flying since 1934.
The acquisition of Houston, Texas-based Continental Airlines by United Airlines (UAL) was completed October 1, 2010. The parent company is now known as United Continental Holdings Inc., headquartered in Chicago. At the time it was acquired, Continental was the fourth largest U.S. airline based on passenger miles revenue. Flights to destinations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are operated from its four hubs at the U.S. airports Newark Liberty International, George Bush Intercontinental, Cleveland Hopkins International, and Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam.
Continental Airlines has interests and partnerships with several carriers that service the regional needs of the airline around the globe. Continental Micronesia, a wholly-owned subsidiary, serves routes throughout Micronesia from the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam, and connects the region with East Asia, Southeast Asia, Honolulu, Cairns, Australia and Nadi, Fiji.
Mergers
Although Continental's look has changed over the years, thanks to mergers and acquisitions, at its heart is the same class of service that made Hollywood star Henry Fonda fly only Continental whenever he could.
As with most major airlines, Continental had its share of financial triumphs, blues, cutbacks and downsizing. Airline industry deregulation in the late 1970's allowed Continental to expand its domestic routes, and provide service between Los Angeles and Taipei, by way of Honolulu and Guam.
In 1983, after unsuccessfully fighting labor unions, Continental claimed its first bankruptcy, which it emerged from in 1986. Consolidation of People Express, Frontier, New York Air, and several other smaller commuter airlines with Continental in 1987 helped boost Continental's rebound and revenues.
In 1993, a cash injection from several airlines, including Air Canada, helped Continental emerge from its second bankruptcy in a decade and revamp its management, which allowed the airline to grow and expand.
In 1998, the airline once again began expanding its international services, which now includes the most nonstop flights from the U.S. to Mumbai, India.
Fleet
The economic upheaval of 2008 resulted in significant personnel and service cutbacks, but 2009 the airline was once again in a position to make fleet improvements and pursue international expansion.
Continental’s fleet is exclusively Boeing aircraft: 737, 757, 767, and 777, with the 787 Dreamliner to enter service in 2011. In July 2009, Continental began offering DirecTV, with the largest channel selection of any carrier - 95-channels for travel-weary passengers to enjoy sports, children’s programs, news, weather, and popular channels like A&E, Animal Planet, and the History Channel.
The Continental Business First class features lay-flat seats, allowing passengers to recline up to 180 degrees, providing 6 ½ feet of sleeping space on select 777 and 757 aircraft. Business First passengers also enjoy priority bag service at check-in, expedited security screening where available, access to member lounges, concierge, and dedicated boarding procedures, as well as gourmet in-flight meals.
A number of other services are offered on international and domestic flights, such as AVOD (Audio Video on Demand). Check with the airline or your travel agent for more information.
Airline website Continental Airlines |
