For the ninth year in a row, Continental Airlines outranked all of its U.S. competition in international Business Class service, according to results of a survey of Conde Nast Traveler readers published in the magazine’s October 2006 edition.

Overall rankings were determined using a variety of criteria including Seat Comfort/Legroom, Food, Cabin Service, Amenities/Technology, Airport Lounge Clubs and Frequent-Flier Privileges.

Continental’s renowned BusinessFirst service has topped the international premium-class service offered by the airline’s U.S. peers in the Conde Nast Traveler rankings since 1998. BusinessFirst also won the Best Executive/Business Class award in the OAG Airline of the Year Awards in 2005, 2004 and 2003, based on voting by frequent flyers worldwide.

In the 2006 Conde Nast Traveler rankings, Continental also placed highest among its network peers for domestic premium-class service. In addition, survey participants ranked Continental’s seat comfort/legroom, airport lounge clubs and frequent-flier privileges above all major U.S. carriers.

The Conde Nast Traveler rankings were compiled from surveys of more than 2,000 frequent business travelers.

Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,200 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 154 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 61 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.

In 2006, Continental Airlines won its sixth J.D. Power and Associates award since 1996. The carrier received the highest rank in customer satisfaction among network carriers in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Airline Satisfaction Index Survey(SM). For the third consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2006 list of Most Admired Global Companies. Continental was also named the No. 1 airline on the publication’s 2006 America’s Most Admired airline industry list.

Additionally, Continental again won major awards at the OAG Airline of the Year Awards including “Best Airline Based in North America” for the third year in a row, and “Best Executive/Business Class” for the fourth consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com .
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