Continental Airlines had the best on-time performance of any major U.S. carrier last year.
According to newly-released figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Continental ended the year with a 78.1 percent on-time arrival rate - 16.8 points higher than tenth-ranked United Airlines, and a full 5.5 percent higher than the industry average.
“We continue to distance ourselves from the rest of the pack,” said Continental Chairman and CEO Gordon Bethune. “Our employees work hard all year to keep our airline on top, and our customers notice and appreciate their efforts.”
In 2000, Continental gave on-time bonus checks to employees 11 out of 12 months, totaling $39 million. Since the program started, Continental has rewarded employees for on-time performance with $157 million in bonuses.
When the airline places first among major U.S. carriers, every employee receives a bonus check for $100. When the airline places second or third, or finishes the month with an on-time percentage of 80 or higher, employees receive $65.
Last summer, when other airlines were plagued by weather and labor delays, Continental posted on-time numbers 6.2 points higher than the previous summer.
Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,200 departures daily to 136 domestic and 92 international destinations. Operating hubs in Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, Continental (www.continental.com) serves more international cities than any other U.S. carrier, including extensive service throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.
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 Smart Money magazines), OnePass frequent flyer program (Inside Flyer`s Freddie Awards) and overall operations and management.
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