News Release
Air France and Continental Airlines Launch Code Share Flights June 19
HOUSTON, June 18, 1998 -- An expanded alliance between Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAI.A and CAI.B) and Air France starts June 19 with the launch of a code-share program that will provide passengers with enhanced services and a broader route network. The two international carriers will launch their code-share program Friday, giving them the ability to market and sell seats on each other's aircraft.
The alliance gives passengers easy access to more than 150 cities that Air France serves through Paris, as well as access to Continental's extensive route network.
"Code-sharing adds more value to the existing Continental-Air France alliance, both for the carriers and their passengers," said Gordon Bethune, chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines. "We gain the ability to sell more destinations, while travelers get the convenience that results from coordination of our flights at hubs in Paris, Newark and Houston."
"Our new code-share agreement is a great asset as it enables us to offer our passengers enhanced services, reciprocal frequent flyer programs and shared airport lounges. And, most of all, it gives them access to even more major American cities," said Jean-Cyril Spinetta, chairman and CEO of Air France. "It's a very exciting venture that improves services for Air France and Continental passengers."
As part of the code-share, Air France will operate daily non-stop flights between Paris and Newark, Houston, and Miami, and Continental will operate non-stop flights between Paris and both Houston and Newark. Air France will sell seats in Continental's BusinessFirst and economy classes. Continental will sell seats in Air France's L'Espace 127 business and Tempo economy classes. This will give each airline's customers six flights daily each way from which to choose.
Through a marketing agreement already in place, Continental and Air France customers enjoy frequent flyer reciprocity. Air France Frequence Plus members earn mileage on Continental Airlines flights booked with the AF code, and Continental OnePass members earn mileage on Air France flights booked with the CO code. Members of either frequent flyer program can redeem rewards on flights operated by the other carrier.
Continental will code-share on Air France flights beyond Paris to destinations in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden. Likewise, Air France will code-share on Continental domestic flights between Newark and Houston and various U.S. cities, including Albuquerque, Austin, Buffalo, Cleveland, Dallas/Forth Worth, Detroit, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Rochester, San Antonio and Syracuse.
Continental is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,000 departures daily to 122 domestic and 70 international destinations with major hubs in Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam.
Air France is one of the world's leading global carriers, serving 196 cities around the world including 10 in the USA: Atlanta and Boston (effective June 19), Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (JFK), Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.