Continental Airlines
(NYSE: CAL) will fly its first transatlantic flight with new, specially
engineered seats in the BusinessFirst cabin later today, departing from
the carrier`s hub at Newark International Airport to London/Gatwick (Flight
#28).  The carrier`s first transpacific flight with the new seats
will operate between Newark and Tokyo/Narita on April 18 (Flight #9).

“Continental continues to invest in its product to make flying more
pleasant for our customers,” said a Continental spokesperson.  “The new seats
are extra wide for more sleep comfort and are especially appreciated on the
long haul flights.”

Continental began installing the enhanced seats on the first of 18 Boeing
777 aircraft that serve transatlantic and transpacific routes on April 4.  New
seats will be installed on a second aircraft by April 25, and seat
installation will continue through the summer with the last Boeing 777
completed by the end of October.  The seats are being installed at
Continental`s new maintenance hangar at Newark International Airport.

Continental will operate the Boeing 777 with new seats on routes between
Newark and Madrid (Spain), Tokyo/Narita (Japan), London/Gatwick (England), Tel
Aviv (Israel), Hong Kong (China) and Paris (France), and between Houston and
Narita, London/Gatwick and Paris.

The new BusinessFirst seats feature several significant design
improvements that provide more comfort for customers.  The new seat is the
widest business class seat in the world measuring 22 inches between the
armrests, offers a 170-degree recline from seat cushion to seat back and 6 1/2
feet (2 meters) of sleeping space in the fully extended position.  The seats
also have privacy hoods, individual dual-level reading lights, adjustable
winged headrests, power ports for laptop personal computers and personal
multi-channel entertainment systems and satellite telephones.

The new seats are the centerpiece of Continental`s premium BusinessFirst
cabin service that provides the extra space and fine amenities of traditional
international first class service at a business class price.  The award
winning BusinessFirst service also features extensive gourmet menu selections
created by Continental`s Congress of Chefs, premium wines and champagne, and
International Concierge Service that provides individualized pre- and post-
flight services for BusinessFirst customers at 21 key international airports.
Customers traveling in BusinessFirst may also access any of Continental`s
27 President Clubs and more than 50 airline affiliated lounges worldwide.

Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering
more than 2,000 departures daily to 126 domestic and 89 international
destinations.  Operating hubs in New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam,
Continental serves more international cities than any other U.S. carrier,
including extensive service throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.  For
more information, visit continental.com.

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