News Release
Continental Airlines to Codeshare with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
HOUSTON, October 23, 2001 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that it has signed a cooperative marketing agreement with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines that includes extensive codesharing and reciprocal frequent flyer program participation and airport lounge access.
Subject to government approval, effective Dec. 1, 2001 Continental will place its "CO*" code on selected flights to more than 30 European destinations operated by KLM and KLM Cityhopper beyond its Amsterdam hub which connect with Continental's flights between New York/Newark and Amsterdam. At the same time, KLM will place its "KL*" code on Continental's flights between New York/Newark and Amsterdam, as well as on selected flights to U.S. destinations operated by Continental beyond its New York/Newark and Houston hubs which connect to KLM's flights between Amsterdam and these cities.
Also effective Dec. 1, members of Continental's frequent flyer program, OnePass, and KLM's frequent flyer program, Flying Dutchman, will be able to earn mileage anywhere on either airline's global route network. Effective Jan. 1, 2002, members of both FFPs will be able to redeem mileage on the other airline's global route network. Flights on either airline are also eligible for earning/redemption in Northwest's WorldPerks frequent flyer program.
Effective Dec. 1, Continental BusinessFirst passengers and Presidents Club members will be able to gain access to KLM's airport lounges in Amsterdam, while KLM World Business Class passengers will be able to gain access to Continental's Presidents Club lounges in Newark.
"We at Continental are very excited about this agreement, which will greatly enhance our customers' travel options in Europe, as well as provide valuable benefits to our OnePass members," said David Grizzle, Continental's Senior Vice President Corporate Development.
Continental launched service between Amsterdam and New York/Newark on July 16, 1999 and currently operates a daily Boeing 757 non-stop service on the route; the service will operate six times a week effective November 2, 2001 (westbound).
Continental announced in June this year that it will launch daily non-stop Boeing 767-400ER flights between Amsterdam and Houston effective May 2, 2002 (westbound), subject to government approval.
Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 1,900 departures daily to 122 domestic and 89 international destinations. Operating hubs at New York/Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, Continental serves more international cities than any other U.S. carrier, including extensive service throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit continental.com.
Continental was named the 2001 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World, as well as the 1996 Airline of the Year, making it the only carrier to receive this honor twice in five years. Continental is in the top quarter of Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work for in America," and is ranked the nation's No. 1 airline in customer satisfaction for long and short-haul flights by Frequent Flyer Magazine and J.D. Power and Associates. Continental has received numerous awards for its BusinessFirst premium cabin (Condé Nast Traveler, OAG, Entrepreneur and SmartMoney magazines), OnePass frequent flyer program (InsideFlyer's Freddie Awards) and overall operations and management (Fortune magazine).
In Europe and the Middle East, Continental serves 16 cities in 11 countries, operating up to 129 departures weekly to its U.S. gateway hubs at New York/Newark and Houston, with onward connections to cities throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Continental won five awards, more than any other airline, at the OAG Airline of the Year Awards 2001, including Best Trans-Atlantic Airline and Best Long-Haul Executive/Business Class. Continental's alliance carriers in Europe include Air Europa, Air France and Virgin Atlantic Airways.