Continental Airlines

Headquarters: Houston, TX

Airline Code: CO

Mailing Address: 1600 Smith St., Houston, TX 77002

History: Continental Airlines, known in the early days as “The Proud Bird with the Golden Tail”, saw its first takeoff on July 15, 1934 when a single- engine Lockheed rumbled down a dusty runway in Pueblo, CO. The name Continental came from an early investor with big plans for the airline by the name of Robert F Six, who went on to run the company for over 40 years. Under Six’s guidance, Continental moved its headquarters from El Paso, TX to Denver, CO, merged with Pioneer Airlines in 1953 and launched its “Gold Carpet Service” on the airline’s first major route between Chicago and Los Angeles. Providing troop transport to Asia during the Vietnam War lead to Continental’s formation of Air Micronesia, which is still going strong today under the name Continental Micronesia. The deregulation of the industry in 1978 proved disastrous to Continental. After a merger with Texas International left Frank Lorenzo in control of the carrier, the new boss went to war with the Unions to reduce wages and benefits. What followed were bankruptcy reorganizations in 1983 and 1990, but in between those events, Continental became the third largest US airline with acquisitions of Frontier Airlines, People’s Express and New York Air. Emerging from bankruptcy a second time in 1993 Continental embarked on one of the most remarkable turn-arounds in aviation history under the leadership of new CEO Gordon Bethune. Focusing on people (both employees and customers) Bethune’s plan delivered higher service levels and strong operational performance, new aircraft, and new branding that lead to sustained profitability and industry leadership that is still in place today.

Major Hubs: Houston, Newark, Cleveland

International Network Strengths: Significant route network to Mexico, Central and South America. Additionally, one of the largest trans-Atlantic US carriers, with most flights originating out of the Newark gateway. Continental is the main airline for Micronesia in the Pacific, using Guam as a mini-hub for the region.

Domestic Network Strengths: East-West route focus including trans-continental non-stops from Newark as well as numerous connections via mid-continent Houston hub. More non-stops from the New York area than any other airline.

Plane Types:
Mainline
Boeing 737
Boeing 747
Boeing 757
Boeing 767
Boeing 777

Regional
EMB - 135 EMB - 145

Club/Lounge: Presidents Club. Over 40 airport locations worldwide

Web site: www.continental.com

Useful phone numbers:
Domestic Reservations: 800-523-3273
International Reservations: 800-231-0856
Presidents Club: 800-322-2640
Customer Service: 800-932-2732
OnePass Service Center 713-952-1630
Hearing Impaired Reservations:1 800 343 9195Automated Flight Status:1 800 784 4444

Frequent Flyer Program: OnePass - Continental shares their seat upgrade program with Northwest, automatically; this means your Platinum privileges are processed by NW as if you are flying Continental when you use your Continental Program Number on your NW ticket. Now thats partnership.

Earning Currency: Miles. Earn one mile for every flown mile. Also accumulate miles through numerous OnePass partnerships and Membership Rewards participation.

Popular Redemption Award Levels:
Economy Class
20,000 Miles Free domestic US round-trip for flights fewer than 1,500 miles
25,000 Miles Free domestic US round-trip (50,000 miles for EasyPass)
35,000 Miles Free round-trip to Caribbean/Mexico (70,000 miles EasyPass)
35,000 Miles Free round-trip to Hawaii (70,000 miles for EasyPass)
50,000 Miles Free round-trip to Europe (100,000 miles for EasyPass)

First/Business Class
45,000 Miles Free domestic US round-trip (90,000 miles for EasyPass)
60,000 Miles Free round-trip to Caribbean/Mexico (120,000 miles EasyPass)
75,000 Miles Free round-trip to Hawaii (150,000 miles for EasyPass)
100,000 Miles Free round-trip to Europe (250,000 miles for EasyPass)

Elite levels:
Silver 25,000 flown miles (or 30 Elite Qualifying Points) in calendar year
Gold 50,000 flown miles (or 60 Elite Qualifying Points) in calendar year
Platinum 100,000 flown miles (or 90 Elite Qualifying Points) in calendar year

Mileage Expiration Policy: OnePass miles don’t expire, however account may be canceled if there is no activity in the program for 18 months.

Co-Branded Credit Card: Chase Continental MasterCard Consumer and Small Business Cards

What’s new?
Laptop power is now provided in Continental’s BusinessFirst and select rows of Economy Class cabin on 767 and 777 aircraft only.

Innovative “Transfer Now” feature on Continental's web site allows American Express Membership Rewards enrollees to transfer points into OnePass miles in real time while making an award travel booking.

Who Knew?

The OnePass frequent flyer program was launched by and once belonged to Eastern Airlines. When Eastern was liquidated, OnePass was one of the assets that Continental bought from the defunct carrier and made its own. Many current Continental OnePass members were likely once loyal to the old Eastern Airlines.

Bob Six, who ran Continental from its very earliest days and for more than 40 years, was married to Audrey Meadows of The Honeymooners fame. That may be part of the reason that Continental’s headquarters was moved from Denver to Los Angeles in 1963.

Gordon Bethune, former Chairman and CEO of Continental, was a licensed pilot who could fly wide body jets. This fact may have been part of the reason he had such good relations with the airline’s pilots union.