News Release
Continental Airlines Accelerates Cleveland-London Service
HOUSTON, June 16, 1998 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAI.A and CAI.B) announced today that it plans, pending government approval, on starting non-stop service from Cleveland to London Gatwick on Feb. 19, 1999 instead of April 30, 1999 as previously requested. Continental filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation yesterday to expedite action on its request for Cleveland-London Gatwick authority.
"Cleveland is an important hub for Continental and we're excited to be offering London service sooner than anticipated," said Gordon Bethune, chairman and CEO. "The support of Senator Mike DeWine and Cleveland's Congressional delegation, the Mayor and City Council and the Cleveland Growth Association has been instrumental in Continental's ability to start this service." The new service will operate daily with B757 aircraft, featuring Continental's award-winning BusinessFirst service with extra wide electronic sleeper-seats, new adjustable winged headrest and gourmet menu selections created by Continental's Congress of Chefs.
With the start-up of new service to Ireland and Scotland on Monday, Continental will serve 13 destinations in Europe.
Continental is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,000 departures daily to 122 domestic and 70 international destinations. Operating major hubs in Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, Continental is strategically positioned for Transcontinental travel, and offers extensive service to Latin America and Europe via its Houston and Newark gateways. Continental has entered into a strategic global alliance with Northwest Airlines that will result in interconnection of the two airlines' route systems, code-sharing arrangements, frequent flier reciprocity, cooperation between Continental and Northwest's trans-Atlantic partner KLM, and other cooperative activities, subject to government approval.