Company History 1959 to 1977

June 8, 1959: Continental’s first true jet flight (a Boeing 707-120) took place. To maintain its small jet fleet Continental developed an innovative "progressive maintenance" program that enabled it to fly its 707 fleet seven days a week, 16 hours a day.
1960s: Continental unveiled a new corporate identity in 1968; an oblong insignia representing jet contrails in a gold, red and orange color scheme.
July 1963: Continental moved its headquarters to Los Angeles. During the Vietnam War, Continental transported U.S. troops to the Orient.
1968: Continental’s Pacific experience during the war led to the formation of Air Micronesia. Its first flight covered more than 4,000 miles with seven stops from Saipan to Honolulu-on the 727-100 nicknamed Ju Ju.
September 9, 1969: The first Continental Mainland-Hawaii service began.
June 26, 1970: Continental flew its first wide body aircraft, a Boeing 747.
June 1, 1972: Wide body DC-10 service began.
1976-1977: Continental’s route map underwent significant growth in the 1970's.; In August 1976, the C.A.B. awarded Air Micronesia with routes between Saipan and points in Japan.; For Continental, the most significant expansion was President Carter's approval of a new route from Los Angeles to New Zealand and Australia in 1977.