News Release

Continental Airlines Reports the Highest Monthly Load Factor In Company History

HOUSTON, August 5, 1998 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAI.B, CAI.A) today reported a systemwide load factor of 77.2 percent in July, the highest monthly load factor ever in Continental's history. This record load factor was achieved while continuing to grow underdeveloped hubs in Houston, Newark and Cleveland.

In July 1998, Continental flew 5.1 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 6.6 billion available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a traffic increase of 12.6 percent and a capacity increase of 11.3 percent versus July 1997. Domestic traffic was 3.4 billion RPMs, up 9.5 percent from July 1997. Domestic capacity was 4.4 billion ASMs, up 8.8 percent from last year. International traffic was 1.7 billion RPMs, up 19.0 percent from July 1997. International capacity was 2.2 billion ASMs, up 16.7 percent from last year.

Continental's wholly owned Continental Express subsidiary reported that its July load factor was 63.3 percent, up 2.8 points from last year, based on 152.1 million RPMs and 240.4 million ASMs. Continental Express July traffic was up 30.2 percent and July capacity was up 24.4 percent from last year.

PRELIMINARY TRAFFIC RESULTS

JULY		1998	1997	Change

REVENUE PASSENGER MILES (000)
	Domestic	3,384,532	3,089,534	9.5	Percent
	International	1,733,732	1,457,240	19.0	Percent
	Total Jet	5,118,265	4,546,774	12.6	Percent
	Cont'l. Express	152,127	116,874	30.2	Percent

AVAILABLE SEAT MILES (000)
	Domestic	4,385,753	4,030,559	8.8	Percent
	International	2,247,106	1,926,221	16.7	Percent
	Total Jet	6,632,858	5,956,780	11.3	Percent
	Cont'l. Express	240,440	193,310	24.4	Percent

PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR
	Domestic	77.2 Percent	76.7 Percent	0.5	Points
	International	77.2 Percent	75.7 Percent	1.5	Points
	Total Jet	77.2 Percent	76.3 Percent	0.9	Points
	Cont'l. Express	63.3 Percent	60.5 Percent	2.8	Points

CARGO REVENUE TON MILES (000)
	Total	62,823	60,754	3.4	Percent

YEAR-TO-DATE		1998	1997	Change

REVENUE PASSENGER MILES (000)
	Domestic	20,489,142	19,068,600	7.4	Percent
	International	10,376,660	8,290,520	25.2	Percent
	Total Jet	30,865,803	27,359,120	12.8	Percent
	Cont'l. Express	838,905	626,590	33.9	Percent

AVAILABLE SEAT MILES (000)
	Domestic	28,345,501	26,736,464	6.0	Percent
	International	14,384,457	11,537,946	24.7	Percent
	Total Jet	42,729,958	38,274,410	11.6	Percent
	Cont'l. Express	1,444,220	1,154,151	25.1	Percent

PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR
	Domestic	72.3 Percent	71.3 Percent	1.0	Points
	International	72.1 Percent	71.9 Percent	0.2	Points
	Total Jet	72.2 Percent	71.5 Percent	0.7	Points
	Cont'l. Express	58.1 Percent	54.3 Percent	3.8	Points

CARGO REVENUE TON MILES (000)
	Total	489,235	392,342	24.7	Percent