Continental Airlines

http://www.continental.com/

Types of Travelers

Business Travlers

4/5

Good business class service

Family Traveler

4/5

User-friendly airline

Backpacker
Adventure Traveler

3/5

n/a

Student
Budget Traveler

3/5

Southwest is known for its low fares

Elderly
Disabled Traveler

4/5

Good accessibility for special needs

Long Term Traveler

3/5

Decent worldwide reach

Novice Traveler

4/5

User-friendly airline

Introduction

Continental Airlines is one of the more successful legacy carriers in the US. It will soon cease to exist under the Continental brand. A recent merger with United Airlines will create the world’s largest airline. Continental is one of the more popular large airlines in the country. It is known for its user-friendliness and for keeping some of the services that other large airlines did away with during the recent financial crisis. It remains to be seen whether these traits will disappear when the merger with United is complete.

Continental started as a mail carrier airline in the 1930s. It began to carry passengers throughout the Southwestern US. In the 1960s, the company began offering national service. It began offering international service soon thereafter, but financial problems hampered expansion until a decade or so ago, when a financial turn-around made it one of the more successful legacy carriers in the US.

Ratings

Important Factors 3/5

Average Delay

19%

Cancelled Flights
(average per month)

>1%

Customer Satisfaction Rating

3-star airline according to Skytrax, Routinely wins “best mainstream airline in North America” from Skytrax

Types of Aircraft

Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, 787

General 4/5

Number of Domestic Flights (Daily)

262

Number of International Flights (Daily)

Size of Fleet

346 (plus affiliate aircraft)

Major Airports and Destinations Served

Houston Bush, Newark, Cleveland

Location of Hub

Cleveland Hopkins, Houston Bush, and Newark.

Countries Served

Africa (Nigeria and Egypt), Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and Canada, South America, China, India, Japan, Europe (namely Germany, England, Denmark, France)

Number of Routes

n/a

Most Popular Routes

Houston to Newark, Orlando to Newark, New York to Houston, Houston to San Diego, Newark to Los Angeles

In-Flight 4/5

Which Routes offer Meal Service?

Snacks and drinks always served. Meals on longer domestic and international flights. Food is complimentary.

Food Quality

Good

In-flight Menu

Snacks, regional specialties and sandwiches

Average Leg Room

31-33 inches

Types of In-flight Entertainment

TV, movies, audio. Requires $3 headset purchase on most domestic flights (free on int’l flights).

Baggage 3/5

Baggage Fees

$25, $23 online

Number of Bags Allowed

Weight Limits and Restrictions

50 lbs

Web Site 5/5

Online Check-in

Possible

Web Site Usability

Very Good

Special Needs 3/5

Handicap Accessibility

Good accessibility for special needs people

Pets

$125 one-way

Special Offers /Partners 3/5

Airline Alliance Membership

Star Alliance

Hotel Partners

n/a

Competing Airlines

Delta, American, US Airways

Strengths

Global reach
Higher quality than competing carriers
Free beverages and food
Soon to have extended reach after merger with United Airlines

Weaknesses

Delay prone
Baggage fees
Soon to merge with United (overall quality may suffer)

Frequent Flier Program and Airport Lounges

Continental’s frequent flier program is called OnePass. It was started in conjunction with now-defunct Eastern Airlines. Now, OnePass customers can earn miles and status upgrades on Continental, on other Star Alliance airlines and on partner airlines like Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. Continental’s President’s Club is an airport club that is shared with Panama’s Copa Airlines. The clubs have open bars and free wi-fi. They are located at Continental’s hubs and at major airports around the nation. President’s Club members also have access to other lounges run by Star Alliance members.

Conclusion

Continental is one of the best of America’s legacy carriers. When it fully merges with United Airlines, it will loose its name, but will be part of the largest airline in the world. Fliers can only hope that Continental’s user-friendliness (compared to other legacy carriers) remains after the merger is complete.