News Release
Continental Airlines Begins Nonstop Houston - São Paulo, Brazil Service
HOUSTON, November 30, 1999 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL and CAL.A) today will inaugurate nonstop service between Houston and Sao Paulo, Brazil, marking the longest nonstop flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport into deep South America.
Houston's first flight to Brazil will be launched by Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown, Brazilian Consul General Maria Lucia Santos Pompeu Brasil, and Continental's President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Brenneman.
"Today, we launch a direct connection to Brazil from our hometown hub in Houston that will greatly enhance the business and leisure opportunities for our customers," said Greg Brenneman. "Houston businesses, in the energy and financial sectors especially, have been our ardent supporters in our quest for this critical South American route."
Continental will operate a DC10-30 aircraft on the four times weekly route. The aircraft is equipped with 38 seats in BusinessFirst and 204 seats in economy class.
Flight 93 will depart at 6:50 p.m. and arrive in Sao Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport at 8:20 a.m. the next day. Return flight 94 will depart Sao Paulo at 12:30 a.m. and arrive in Houston at 6:20 a.m. the same day.
Continental has been serving Brazil from its New York hub for more than two years.
As the second largest U.S. carrier to Latin America and the Caribbean in number of destinations and passengers served, Continental serves 20 countries and 39 cities in Latin America, operating daily nonstop flights for more than 500 weekly departures. All flights to Latin America feature business class or premier BusinessFirst service, international cuisine, and award-winning OnePass frequent flyer privileges. As part of Continental’s "Latinization" program, Portuguese-speaking flight attendants will serve on the Brazilian flights.
Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,100 departures daily to 129 domestic and 85 international destinations. Operating major hubs in New York, Houston and Cleveland, Continental (http://www.continental.com) has extensive service throughout the Americas, and to Europe and Asia. Continental recently initiated a strategic global alliance with Northwest Airlines. Continental is in the top half of FORTUNE magazine’s "100 Best Companies to Work for in America," and has won first or second place Frequent Flyer Magazine and J.D. Power awards for four consecutive years.