Based in Houston, Texas, Continental Airlines has hubs at Houston Intercontinental near Houston, Texas, at Newark, New Jersey, and at Cleveland, Ohio. Continental is the fourth largest airline in the USA, flying to destinations in North America, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Australia, Micronesia, and Australia. This airline offers over 6,000 departures every day to hundreds of domestic and international destinations, and employees nearly 83,000 workers.
Continental Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, partnering with Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air France, Aeromexico, Alitalia and KLM. Continental also has alliances with Amtrak train service and U.S. Helicopter in the United States, and SNCF French Rail in France. However, Continental plans to leave SkyTeam in October 2009 in order to join the Star Alliance. Joining the Star Alliance allows Continental to work more closely with United Airlines. Continental has been in merger talks with United off and on since 2006. However, Continental plans to focus on the Star Alliance until October.
Continental’s frequent flyer program is called OnePass. Members earn miles on all Continental flights as well as flights on Copa, Aero Republica, and SkyTeam members. OnePass members can also earn miles on America’s rail carrier, Amtrak. All members of SkyTeam programs (Star Alliance programs after October 2009) can both earn and use frequent flyer miles on Continental.
The airline was founded in 1931 as Varney Speed Lines, its name changed to Continental Airlines in 1937. The airline was originally based in El Paso, Texas and offered service to Colorado, New Mexico, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Many modern flyers do not know that at one time, the only class was first class—and ticket prices were always high. Continental pioneered the lower fare movement, introducing coach class fares in 1962. Continental has been flying to Europe since 1985.
Continental Airlines was also the first U.S. airline to hire an African American pilot in 1963, as well as the first U.S. airline to fly through bankruptcy.
Continental recently conducted another first with the demonstration of the first biofuel-powered flight of a commercial airline in the United States. The flight was powered by a special fuel blend derived from algae and jatropha plants. Continental plans to continue working and experimenting with biofuels. This is part of Continental’s efforts to reduce the airline’s impact on the environment. Continental also offers a program that gives passengers the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions per flight for a fee of two additional dollars per ticket. The money is used to plant trees in reforestation areas. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Continental for their efforts.
Every Continental jet was built by Boeing, whether 737, 757, 767, and 777. The airline plans to add the Boeing Dreamliner 787 to its fleet before 2012. Continental’s exclusive agreement with Boeing dates from 1990, although the European Union ruled that the contract was void when Boeing acquired its rival McDonnell Douglas in 1997. For all practical purposes, however, the exclusive relationship between Continental and Boeing has continued.
Like every other airline, Continental has struggled with its finances. It reported losing millions of dollars in 2008 due to fuel costs and funding needs for retired pilots.
