Continental Airlines today announced it will launch daily non-stop flights between New
York/Newark and Germany’s Berlin/Tegel Airport effective July 1, 2005, subject
to government approval.The new service will provide easier and faster travel options for
travelers between the U.S. and Germany’s capital.
  “Continental will offer travelers between U.S. and Berlin an unbeatable
combination—award-winning service and more options for their trans-Atlantic
travels,” said Jim Summerford, Continental’s Vice President - Europe & Middle
East.  “With our unique ability to offer travelers fast and easy connections
at New York, we’re confident that Continental will quickly become the first
choice for non-stop travel to Berlin.”
  Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin, said: “Berlin is the capital of
the biggest economy in Europe.  Having a non-stop flight to the U.S. again
after several years shows that Berlin is back on the map across the Atlantic
as well.  We look forward to welcoming a lot of American visitors to enjoy
Berlin’s various sights and cultural highlights and to deepen the economical
and political relations that are so important for both our countries.”
  The face of Berlin—the seat of the German government and a melting pot
between western and eastern Europe—has changed rapidly in recent years.
The city’s many cultural attractions include its renowned architecture, three
opera houses, seven orchestras and more than 170 museums and galleries, while
its vibrant club scene and nightlife make it very popular with young people.
Some 130 U.S. companies have operations in the Berlin region.
  Continental’s New York/Newark-Berlin flights will be operated with a
172-seat Boeing 757 aircraft, carrying 16 passengers in the BusinessFirst
cabin and 156 in Economy.
  Flight CO96 will depart New York/Newark daily at 6:45 p.m., arriving at
Berlin at 8:40 a.m. the next day.  The return flight, CO97, will depart Berlin
daily at 10:15 a.m., arriving at New York/Newark at 1:25 p.m. the same day.
The flying times will be approximately 7 hours 55 minutes eastbound and
9 hours 10 minutes westbound.
  The new flights will feature Continental’s renowned BusinessFirst service,
which won the Best Executive/Business Class award in the OAG Airline of the
Year Awards in both 2004 and 2003, based on voting by frequent flyers
worldwide.  BusinessFirst was also voted Best Transatlantic Business Class
among U.S. airlines in Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s Business Travel Awards
2003—for the 6th year running.
  Berlin will become the 22nd city in Continental’s Europe & Middle East
route network.
  Continental has been operating in Germany since 1991.  The airline
operates a daily Boeing 767-400ER non-stop service between Frankfurt and New
York/Newark.
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